Might Get An Open Topped Tank (pretty Cool Tank)

[fishwatcher]

I got a $7 silver/brushed chrome/whatever lamp from WalMart. It has a goose-neck on it so I sat it behind the tank and adjusted to shine over the tank top. I stuck a $4 flour. bulb in it and it works great. Looks kind of cool, too.

 

[Maximus]

I got a $7 silver/brushed chrome/whatever lamp from WalMart. It has a goose-neck on it so I sat it behind the tank and adjusted to shine over the tank top. I stuck a $4 flour. bulb in it and it works great. Looks kind of cool, too.

Cheers mate, simple as that I see

How many reds do you think I could get in here then?

And I think it's best to have 1 m : 2f right?
If so, how do I sex them?


Thanks again

 

[Maximus]

Invader Xan to the rescue?

 

[fishwatcher]

I think you could do a trio safely. I know the males have larger, redder claws, so you'll have to compare ones in a tank together. These are pretty nocturnal, in that they come out in the day even less than fiddlers. You'll need to make sure you have little hidey-holes for them to use, esp when they moult. Add a little marine salt (they need brackish water) and they should be set.
Hope this helps!

 

[Maximus]

Cheers for that, I'll have a look

But I'll be setting up the tank way before I start to think about what crabs I want

 

[Invader Xan]

Heh... Sorry. I'm not too good with the details. Only have space for a FW tank at the moment, so no chance of any redclaws for me.

So don't quote me on any of this, but from what I remember reading about them...

From what I recall, yes, a male with a small harem of females is a good setup. I think with redclaws it's ok to have up to 3 or 4 females per male.

24 x 24 x 8... You're doing the right thing by setting up the tank first. Then you could estimate how much water you have and get a better idea of how many crabs you can keep. They'll definitely need places to hide, but I believe they also quite like to bask, so a little open area with plenty of light is a good idea.


For the specifics, I know Boboboy keeps redclaws, so if he's online, he'd be better able to tell you about the details.

 

[Maximus]

Cheers for that mate

When I get it all setup, I'll post some pics for advise on the layout.

Any other ways to tell males from females?


Thanks.

EDIT: for crap spelling

 

[Invader Xan]

There are a couple of good ideas for tank setups here.
Other than the size of the claws, I don't know much about sexing them, but you might find something if you run a quick search of the forum...

 

[Maximus]

Thanks again mate

By the looks of his setup, he has a bottom layer of corse gravel, then covered by a 4-5" layer of sand.
He says that this allows flow through the sand at all times.

Would there be a problem with building the island, only to find it sinks to a level layer?

 

[Invader Xan]

If you were building an island, I'd start by putting some large rocks or pebbles where you want it to be before adding substrate, and then build up from there. Another thought it to get a bit creative with some bog wood. Red claws originate from mangroves, so it might be a good environment for them, as well as helping them hide when they feel the need.

That's probably how I'd do it anyway.

 

[Maximus]

If you were building an island, I'd start by putting some large rocks or pebbles where you want it to be before adding substrate, and then build up from there. Another thought it to get a bit creative with some bog wood. Red claws originate from mangroves, so it might be a good environment for them, as well as helping them hide when they feel the need.

That's probably how I'd do it anyway.

Ah, thats a better idea lol

Lava rock seems a choice right?

I was already going to get some bogwood too, cheers for the tips


Hopefully It won't be long before I get the tank, thanks again