Running water: Part two

Okay, second time around. This time, caulkless and REMOVABLE!

I previously mentioned that I bought a tupperware shoe box, trimmed the top and lost the lid. I used this as my water section, and had room to set up my saltwater dish on the same side. I also did an inch of plain soil on the bottom of the tank before i laid sand to keep some more moisture, and because Bubble and Jack seemed to like the soil they were in for a week while i gathered sand and set up the 30 gal again.
 What I can say so far is that i like this way better, they liked it, a little too much, they got themselves under the waterfall, and i had to dig them out because it scared me for a sec. in the future ill probably let them be.

 I also spent some time handling them before putting them in, i scoop under them and try not to put my hand over them unless im doing an actual transfer, this helps them feel less threatened. They seemed to calm down a bit and chill after a few minutes. Ill definitely have to do that now and again and see just how handleable i can get them!

 Pictures Ahoy!

Whole 30 gallon Breeder

Hide side (many hides buried for them to choose from)

Water side, Running fresh water with filter and salt water dish

Running water, filter, stones to quiet the flow and move it across the length, there are stones behind it keeping it upright and stacked to keep the crabs from getting stuck in there, also some fake plant stacks to try and make it look nicer haha.

A Death in the Family

  I am saddened to say, my midsize female has passed. We left her in a separate container as noted in the previous post and treated her as live, but she began to stink horrible and bloat to the point of *gag* explosion. I think she died that day when I moved her, when she stopped clicking. I still feel like it was my fault, I shouldn't have moved her. But she also may have been eaten or still died in her fragile state regardless. Im taking this as a learning experience, and hope when Bubbles molts (because Jack did already underground and completely ate his shell) that she stays underground too and doesnt surface and scare the crap out of me.
  As far as the 1/4 tank goes, it was a flop (also noted in previous post). The crabs at the moment are in a 10 gallon with natural plant food free topsoil. Due to some transportation and time errors, and a walmart employee being an idiot, I could not get the natural play sand I like. Soil will have to do and I think I like it, but am still gonna stick with sand (or mostly sand) when I get the 30 gal breeder up and running again.
  The 30 gallon got freshly scrubbed, sanitized, and detoxed today. As did everything that usually resides within, all is prepared to be set up when I can get out to Home Depot for sand. This time, I am still doing running water but in the safe and kinda redneck way... Let me explain.
 I went to walmart, and got a 97 cent tupperware shoe box. It holds 6 quarts, and fits perfectly in the tank i have with room on the end for my salt water dish. I cut the top off, making it 3 inches deep, and smoothed the edges with a lighter. Hopefully when it all comes together it looks okay, if not oh well ill live. Im planning on hooking up the filter as i did before, just now its in a REMOVABLE and CAULKLESS section that will be easier to drain and clean... not to mention completely nontoxic!

 ] I will take this time to mention yet again, that this is my first time owning these crabs, I have had them since February and am learning as I go. I decided to do this blog because of the lack of good info out there, and post how I work with my crabs and what I think may work best. They are known in pet trade to die quickly and be tricky, so you get to learn along with me. I AM IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM SAYING WHAT I KNOW IS BEST. As you can see in this post and last post, I screwed up. I am not perfect and am not a pro. This is just my adventure with an animal that I think makes a pretty neat pet. [

 Until next time readers... I hope this is helping people.

^ Jack, My big strong boy ^

1/4 Tank: Accomplished.

Can I just let out a big YAYYY!!!!
Tonight we successfully assembled my homemade (kinda ghetto) 1/4 tank.
 Basically, we dug the crabs out, and stuck them each in a separate lidded container with moist paper towel and a hide for the next 24 hours. Tossed all the sand (BAD IDEA, but Good Idea), and cleaned my 30 breeder out. We cut a rectangle of 3 inch high plexiglass to fit as a waterproof barrier, and sealed with caulk... white ... caulk.
Ideal? not so much. Does it work and was it free? Absolutely. We set that in place, sealed it and waited. And then just tonight set it all up! It was a good idea to toss all the sand bc it was stankkyyy.
Bad idea because... Im low on sand! As of right now they dont have quite enough, but theres enough to cover the hides and bottom so it will do. I made sure to use multi sized stones in the water, with places to climb out. the filter is turned into a bit of a waterfall.
Here it is!:

Update: The caulk is crap and is peeling. but the water isnt leaking or anything... yet. I plan to get more sand, get my hands on some better and CLEAR caulking. and re do it when i can!

Update: My Tank

No real pictures to this post but I thought I would mention I purchased a filter system today, and have plans to set up a 1/4 water section to my 30 breeder. I got the Marina i25, Pics and more info after it gets set up in a week or two!