What climbey things do you use?

[Donna M]

Thanks to all of you for the great ideas!

I'm fairly new to the crabby world, so can you tell me what the deal is with the "no metal" rule? Is it because the metal can rust or is it for another reason?

Thanks again,
Donna M.

[WizKidsMom]

Crabs tend to eat everything and anything that is in their tank. The rust is one bad point. You may also have some of those cheap metals that are painted or coated with a metal based paint. That eventually flakes off and you don't want the crabs eating that (or the rust).

[Donna M]

Thanks to all for the ideas! It's funny, though...... have you noticed that the more ideas we get, the bigger the tanks have to get? I just bought this tank not long ago, and already I'm thinking I need a bigger one! Geez!

Have a good weekend,
Donna M.

[ScottishStu]

Hello Hope everyone is well. soz ive not been on in a long time been very busy. on the subject of climbey things i made a second layer in my tank out of coconut fibre background.

what i did was cut it so it was the width of my tank, laid it horizontal and fastened in place with suction cups. i keep the hermie food on it and it makes a nice dinner plate(easier to clean up their mess).

it sits bout half way up my tank an to help them up to it, i have a jungle vine in a rainbow sort of arch . the corner of which leads up to the second level. and for a third part, got a hermie ladder leading up to it aswell. the good thing is the crabs love climing up to the second level, over and under it. simple but effective (clearly my proudest moment)

[Donna M]

You all have given me some great ideas! Thanks so much! I only asked because everything is so expensive nowadays, I have to watch my pennies. I'm sure some of you know how that is! $15.00 artificial plants is the last thing I should be spending money on, you know?

One day I'd like to add a ramp to a second level, as Cheryl mentioned. That would be very cool.

Thanks again!

Donna M.

[Hez]

Do you have to worry about the hermies trying to eat the fake plants?

[Hildegarde]

It doesn't seem like they enjoy a sprig of plastic ivy. You just have to watch for exposed wires.

[Hermie's rule]

My plastic plants are in shreds from their nibbling jaws!

[Hildegarde]

Are they hungry?

[Donna M]

To ScottishStu and anyone else that has a second level:

Some of us were discussing an another post awhile back that some crabs (like mine!) seem to have no sense of impending doom. Specifically, when they come to an edge of a "cliff", they just walk right off the edge! When they walk on my hands, as I put one hand in front of the other, they don't even look to see if the next hand is there........they just go. I've had them accidentally fall into my lap. If they fell from a second level, couldn't they hurt themselves? Would they learn after they took the dive a time or two? Or are my crabbies "intellectually challenged"? (LOL!)

Thanks,
Donna M.