Orchids other than phals for beginners

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, I don't want to hijack the thread, but...is there a reason why you filled up your tank with so much "dirt"?
To raise the whole surface closer to the light?
I thought the "dirt" is supposed to be replaced with fresh one often to keep hermit crabs healthy?

By the way, I think you should start a new thread about this animal! I really like them!

Actually, the tank is closer to a natural habitat. It has about 14" of Eco Earth. It maintains itself pretty much. I just need to maintain humidity. When I feed them, I dig for buried snacks they tend to hoard, and other than that, they don't make much mess. They need to have lots of room to molt. Since I have jumbos, they need at least a good 12" - 14" of substrate during the molt or else the others will canibalize them. Apparently, they smell yummy during and after the molt. They are completely vulnerable during this time.

If you are interested in starting to keep hermit crabs, let me know and I'll PM you with a great forum with wonderfully knowledgeable people I found. I suggest you do your research before buying any.

[LadySoren]

(Btw I don't personally care if you hijack the thread. I think hermit crabs are cool!)

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by LadySoren

(Btw I don't personally care if you hijack the thread. I think hermit crabs are cool!)

Thanks!

[Rowangreen]

I'm finding catasetum types to be pretty easy so far. I'm not a big expert yet, (LOL) but the winter rest thing doesn't seem too bad. Mine are doing fine living in my livingroom: they don't need a cold winter rest, just a dry one. Mine got misted during the winter as it got very dry in my livingroom with the heating on. My Cycnodes Wine Delight is a bit of a weed... gave me a single flower last year in spite of being theoretically too young, and I'm hoping for more in a few months.

[kindrag23]

Hmmm, interesting the whole cannibalism thing.....but then again I am a science geek. But in regards to the substrate, I use a recycled card board paper compound type that is about 15-18inches thick that my tortoise loves to dig into and around in during the day and then comes out to eat at night. lots of fresh veggies especially acorn squash. I would like to see some up close shots of your babies I am sure they are in the picture but then again I am blind as a bat and could not tell if what i thought was a hermit crab was truly a hermit crab.

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

Oh and my Sheldon (like from BBT) would love to get his claws and beak into my orchids and their blooms. Hopefully he will be okay with some dragon fruit cactus. lol

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Hmmm, interesting the whole cannibalism thing.....but then again I am a science geek. But in regards to the substrate, I use a recycled card board paper compound type that is about 15-18inches thick that my tortoise loves to dig into and around in during the day and then comes out to eat at night. lots of fresh veggies especially acorn squash. I would like to see some up close shots of your babies I am sure they are in the picture but then again I am blind as a bat and could not tell if what i thought was a hermit crab was truly a hermit crab.

Let me see what I can dig up for you.

---------- Post added at 08:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

These were taken last year in the Summer so the larger crabs were much smaller then:





The 2 crabs above are Ecuadorians. They are about the size of a golf ball. They are full grown, but the species is petite in size. Big time troublemakers and resident tank wreckers.





Above is Crabby Patty. She is the one that started it all. We got her in Atlantic City while on vacation. I've had her for about 2 years. Although she is the largest crab in the tank, she's very sweet.

Just for scale, the tupperware containers in the back are the standard ones you get with cold cuts inside (about 6.5 inches long and 5 inches wide...guesstimation)



The larger crab above on the right is Yeti. I named him this because he hardly ever comes out. He is very shy so unless you get up at the crack of dawn and stand by really quiet, you will never know he lives in the tank as well.

[kindrag23]

Well first of all i have to say YIKES those scare me!! Them claws are something to be feared!!

Well since you shared I decided to share a picture of my shelly at feeding time this morning. He loves the hibiscus blooms and the African Violets leaves and blooms as well.

They are one of his spring/summer time favorites. I don't usually keep anything in the tank with him because he will stomp it to death or try to burrow underneath it.

Your hermits sound like my shelly with hiding treats, post feedings I find his tunnel space littered with hibiscus bloom pieces, i also find it when i do the clean out each week.

[kindrag23]

Oh and we really need a pet forum on here they are a part of our lives almost as much as our orchids, and i have seen many a thread on pet attacks. lol.

[RandomGemini]

There is one!

Pet Depot - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

Oh and we really need a pet forum on here they are a part of our lives almost as much as our orchids, and i have seen many a thread on pet attacks. lol.

I believe there is a pet section somewhere..

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