My Vampire crab Setup

[silane]

My first attempt of Vampire Crab Setup. I am not adding filters, the idea is to build a bacteria rich soil so that they waste produced by crab will be converted to less toxic form, plants are there to ensure waste are taken up.

2 isolated pond of freshwater. Water from the soil is not suppose to get into the "pond". A thin layer of Mosura BT9 is spread to start the bacteria in the soil. Whenever I need to change or add the pond water, aged and dechlorinated water is added into the pond and excess water will go to soil
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/2_901089.jpg

he corners are covered to prevent them from getting out
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/6_843154.jpg

This is the complete tank setup
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/3_507569.jpg

Here are the crabs
http://www.shrimpnow.com/mygallery/files/2/7_49914.jpg

[kobal]

Nice tank Silane.

Don't you cover the tank to prevent escaping? My baby vampires climb on glass with the help of condensation.

How will you keep the right temperature?

[silane]

kobal, I dont have condensation here, but I think they can climb out of tank using the silicone, so I put cover at the corners.

I am in Singapore, the room temperature is 28C to 30C, I guess it is quite close to their biotope temperature.

Do you have pic of your tank setup?

[kobal]

Ok , you don't need any heater then...

Here is a picture of my tank (sorry for the dirty panes, I hurried before the lights went out.)

http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/16/31/15/p1090110.jpg

[silane]

Thank for the pic.

Is that a water section on the right?

[killer007]

if there is no filter, will it be not enough bacteria to filter the water?
and it will become very smelly?

[Navanod]

if there is no filter, will it be not enough bacteria to filter the water?
and it will become very smelly?

I would be somewhat concerned with molds and mildews forming on the soil surface and edges of the 2 ponds as Singapore is so humid.

Silane should have all that worked out by now though.

[kobal]

Thank for the pic.

Is that a water section on the right?
Yes, the right part is a 10 cm deep pool, with a small filter and heater. The Geosesarma use it to molt.

The left part is made of quartz, with coconut shell fiber: the vampires dig a lot in it and eat some (fiber not quartz!).

[Frank]

My vampires have a half filled water tank with land parts in form of stones, plastic plants and floating land parts for turtles. Further there is a pot with coral sand for digging.
It´s easier to heat a tank by the water IMO. From my experience vampire crabs like to be in the water. The setup cannot be that bad, because I have regular offspring (although not many).

[kobal]

My vampires have a half filled water tank with land parts in form of stones, plastic plants and floating land parts for turtles. Further there is a pot with coral sand for digging.
It´s easier to heat a tank by the water IMO. From my experience vampire crabs like to be in the water. The setup cannot be that bad, because I have regular offspring (although not many).

You built them an aseptic tank!:D

My crabs like to chew the plants, the roots, they hunt the small critters that creep in the tank, the ramshorns...

Unlike yours, mine rarely go into the water.

[Frank]

You built them an aseptic tank!:D

My crabs like to chew the plants, the roots, they hunt the small critters that creep in the tank, the ramshorns...

Unlike yours, mine rarely go into the water.

Mine like to sit in holes of wood and stones underwater, or they hide in the plastic plants on the land parts.
A larger waterpart can be filtered and heated easily. They live together with applesnails.

[silane]

Are females more shy then males?

[kobal]

I can't say: my adults (wild-caught) are all shy, they hide quickly at the slightest noise.

But the babies don't.

[silane]

I would be somewhat concerned with molds and mildews forming on the soil surface and edges of the 2 ponds as Singapore is so humid.

Silane should have all that worked out by now though.

I think mold will appear if the microganism isnt balance or have carbon/protein source, I encourage proper microrganism growth by dosing BT-9. So far, no appearing of visable mold.

[cherabin]

Hi Silane. I am thinking of revamping my vampire crabs setup and wish to ask what kind of plants do you use in the land section of your tank? Thank you.

[kobal]

Hi Silane

Could you give us any news of your vampires?