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Chewin’ the Choya » My new tank!

Home › Forums › Chewin’ the Choya › My new tank!

Tagged: coenobita variabilis, hermit crabs, photos

  • This topic has 68 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 5 months ago by Vanessa Pike-Russell.
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 69 total)
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  • Author
    Posts
  • September 22, 2015 at 8:34 am #3367
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    I was on gumtree.com.au – an Australian free classifieds site – and I saw a 4ft / 78 Gallon tank for sale for $AUD170 (USD 120) including lights linked with a thermostat. It came with a stand and a cover for the lid. I couldn’t help myself! I just had to get it. And so it all begins again πŸ™‚

    It’s been a few years since I have kept land hermit crabs as pets. Quite a bit has changed in that time and I have been researching and learning from you all and the members of LHCOS Facebook page I admin with Stacy.

    crabitat

    I just picked up the RichGro playsand which others recommend. I prefer beach sand but that will take me a while to source although I live near an island called Stradbroke Island that mines it lol I’m waiting on the Eco Earth / Coco Fibre compressed brick to come from eBay and then I can get started! πŸ˜€

    I have a net purchased many years ago. I need to get something to hang the net from. I didn’t have a lot of success with suction cups last time so might look for other means. Ideas welcomed!

    I am going to buy a coconut and make a coco hut. I’ve just dropped the coconut really hard on concrete and hope it snaps in 1/3 2/3rds πŸ™‚ If it doesn’t work that’s OK I can try with another coconut. Or I could ask my Uncle to cut it with a saw but there is something quite rewarding my way πŸ™‚

    I am buying a huge driftwood tree via Gumtree which will take up a LOT of space in my tank but I know from past experience they will love it. I will need to soak it and put it to dry up high away from the ants. I was shopping for a piece just like it and can’t believe my luck! πŸ™‚

    I’m buying some shells next and will compile a list of the shops I use as a resource. Some sites I used to use are not around any more and new ones have taken their place. I’ll be buying in bulk from wholesale shell prices as I can afford it.

    Starting all over is hard but exciting at the same time. If you know of any stores to buy products from please share them below! πŸ™‚

    P.S. the rock sand in the tank has been taken out. Not a nice job as the dust got in my eyes but it needed to be done.

    regards,

    Vanessa

    September 22, 2015 at 9:16 am #3368
    Stacy
    Keymaster

    Try 3M Command hooks for hanging.. I’m using some right now because I can’t get suction cups to stay up.
    Maybe if you pre-score the coconut it will crack properly?

    I am so jealous over your driftwood and just generally super, ridiculously excited that you are getting crabby again. πŸ™‚

    September 22, 2015 at 12:51 pm #3369
    Michele
    Participant

    Oh wow Vanessa, that is A GORGEOUS tank!! Love it! I cant wait to see what you do with it.

    Happy indulgence in the crab addiction! I forsee your crabbies being uber spoiled…
    (not that I would know anything about that! ^___^)

    September 23, 2015 at 8:07 am #3416
    Pam
    Participant

    That is freekin awesome Vanessa, what a steal. You are going to have very happy hermies. I also agree with Stacy, command strip hooks work great, that is what I used with my netting and even use one with a hook to hook the choya wood up thru it’s holes. Works great. Wishing you great success with your new tank.

    September 23, 2015 at 8:55 am #3417
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    Thanks, Michele and Pam!
    I love the tank.
    It’s almost as wide as my lounge lol
    I am so excited. I bought some shells today from a variety discount store nearby. Lucked out and found some ceramic bowls at a different store! I’m waiting for some money to reach my account so I can do some online shopping for hermit crab food, cave and more shells.

    I’m going to take the approved foods list to my favourite tea / herb / spice shop in Capalaba and see if she has organic petals for me to use with the hermit crabs. She makes up a number of blends which contain them so it makes sense she would be able to put together a crabby blend!

    I had tiger king prawns tonight and wished I could share them with some crabbies!

    September 23, 2015 at 12:33 pm #3421
    Maxwell Isenberg
    Participant

    I wish I had a 78 Gallon tank. Mine is 40 gallons right now. I know 40 sounds big, but it is small when you fill it with accessories. I am so jealous! I use suction cups to hold netting up, mainly because I can move them. Also, I will post some videos on DIY projects for your crabitat.

    September 24, 2015 at 1:44 pm #3466
    Michele
    Participant

    That is a beautiful tank, I am so jealous! X3! What kind of crabs will you be getting?

    September 24, 2015 at 9:22 pm #3468
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    I’m not sure yet. I am hoping to adopt some by putting up a listing on Gumtree.com.au – a free classifieds site in Australia.

    If that doesn’t happen I will travel to Capalaba and buy some hermit crabs that they have. I think a mixture of sizes so they are not so competitive for shells πŸ™‚

    September 24, 2015 at 9:44 pm #3469
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    I’m getting the Australian version of Eco Earth today! Then I can mix it through the RichGro playsand I bought. I can’t wait!

    September 25, 2015 at 4:01 am #3470
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    Ok so I have 40 kgs of Play Sand and 9 Litres of Coconut Fibre. That’s almost 5:1
    Some suggest 5:1 and some say 9:1.
    What ratio did you use?

    September 25, 2015 at 5:15 am #3471
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    I forgot to mention that I bought some seashells from a variety store yesterday and some ceramic bowls and largish river rocks from another discount store

    September 25, 2015 at 6:09 am #3472
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    Untitled

    September 25, 2015 at 9:17 am #3473
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    I just put the play sand in (Richgro Washed Playsand) and added the coconut fibre (Brunnings Coir-Peat) after it had soaked for 15 minutes in warm water and mixed it around. I forgot how messy hermit crabbing was! lol I realised I need another bag of sand (well really half of one) so its back to Mitre 10 hardware store for more tomorrow.

    I put in the driftwood branch and some ceramic bowls and some shells. I’m getting there, slowly but surely πŸ™‚

    September 25, 2015 at 1:21 pm #3477
    Anne Grady
    Participant

    Your tank is exactly the size of the one I just added. The stain is very near the color of the bench I am using. My 16 yr. old grandson made the bench for me. He was here when I first saw this tank on FB and he said “I should have built you a top like that”. He would do it if I asked, but I wonder if I would be able to manage to lift it. I could do it now, but at nearly 70 that could change. It is a beauty and I know that is fun for you to be starting over, even if it is messy!

    September 25, 2015 at 11:47 pm #3479
    Vanessa Pike-Russell
    Keymaster

    Hi Anne,

    The top is great but I have to take it off to add things to the crabitat. It takes two to lift it in my case as I have degeneration of the shoulder muscles because of a neck problem. Luckily hubby Philip is more than happy to help πŸ™‚

    I have it off at the moment as I am waiting for more sand. 2 x 20 kgs plus 9litres of coconut fibre was not enough for my liking. I’ll take a photo and see if you all agree with me.

    Yes I love it even if it is messy πŸ™‚

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