Folks:
Sorry about these 'delayed' posts, they were written
a few day ago... and shared with Vanessa, but
somewhere, some how lost in that mysterious cyber
world of space.... before they made it as posts to
this forum! Vanessa was gracious enough to have sent
them back.... hope nothing is too late for advice ...
CLD
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concerning the safety of a heating pad:
.......................................................
Personally, I would not attempt to use a heating
pad UNDER a tank. These things need air circulation
to work properly. I would be afraid that it would
overheat. The undertank heaters come with warnings/
instructions not to place the 'tank' on carpet or
other 'soft' surfaces...while the heater is on...and
they come with little 'stick on risers' to elevate the

bottom of the tank so 'air' can circulate between the
surfaces.
We have being using the FMR heaters for over two
and one half years and have been very pleased with the

results. I highly recommend their quality. Hopefully,

the need for extra warmth won't come about until your
heaters get to you... but again, I would not suggest
the use of a regular heating pad since they are not
designed for this particular use. Good Luck and Happy
Crabbing! CLD
.......................................................
additional info about warmth
.......................................................
Folks:
I am going to add a little to an earlier post. I
wanted to back up what Jenn posted about using the
foam board as an insulator. It has been a staple at
Kritterland from the beginning!
My first crabs were adopted in the middle of the
winter in February of '97. They were in a medium
sized plastic 'kritter carrier'... I was very
concerned about taking them out in the cool air,
knowing that they shouldn't get chilled.... We were at

an indoors Arts and Crafts show....and as we were
looking I saw the ideal remedy....Someone was selling
those soft-sided insulated lunch/beverage coolers.
SO........... my new guys came home warm and happy
that night. The 'six-pack' size worked for that
medium carrier! We now have several sizes of
carriers and coolers just 'incase'... the first one
stays in the car just incase we go to a pet store....
Works great in the summer too to keep the sun from
baking them...another serves as a back-up 'iso area'
Now, the problem of warmth after getting them
here...was another concern! Being a former art
teacher, I had some foam board sitting around so I
got out the old exacto knife and we created an
insulated 'box' to go around the carrier... This was
adapted to work with each upgrade to larger
tanks...with the foamboard around the back and sides
of the tank... (one sheet of foamboard takes care of a

ten gallon tank.) It was cheap and worked well. Since
then I have suggested it to many folks as an
alternative. I used this while doing my studies with
the undertank heaters and nocturnal light bulbs. I
found that I could MAINTAIN a much better and
consistant temperature level with the three-sided
insulation than without it. I have passed along this
suggestion to many others and it works quite well in a

school setting....allowing the kids to change the
backgrounds with their art work.... I do have 'front
covers of foam board to use in case of an emergency
.... I have used other colors but prefer the white
foamboard... and using clear or white tape to make the

hinged 'corners'... have used velcro to secure the
pieces also... So since then we still use the
insulation idea... plus, the crabs can see their
reflections better and their activies at that are very

entertaining! I like the fact Jenn gave this 'thing'
a name.... "Crab-gloo" is much more catchy than 'the
box'... Have fun with this and let your imagination
go wild. One school here had a contest to see which
class had the best 'backdrops' for their crabs... some

changed the background weekly....it was great fun and
a good project for both art and science lessons....
with the little hermies benefitting from all the fun
'environments'created just for them. As Jenn pointed
out this is a fairly cheap way to go until you can get

alternative heating! Have fun and Happy Crabbing! CLD

.......................................................
in response to a question about wet/dry substate

.......................................................
>Question: The store I bought these at uses something

that looks like
>blocks of ground coconut shell>for their crab cage.
They keep it damp. I have
selected to use play sand >since it is the least
>expensive item available to me. Some websites say to

keep the sand wet;
>others say dry. What do>you recommend?>--
Diana:
From your description of the substrate used at your

pet store, it sounds like they may be using some sort
of mulch or wood chip...I have also seen a product
made from crushed pecan shells used. These types of
medium are usually used with reptiles. This is not a
good medium for crabs as it can dehydrate them (if
used dry) and of course, when wet, they are asking for

problems of bacterial growth that will cause
respiratory problems to our little fellas. Our guys
need moisture, but not in that manner.
I have used both sand and gravel.... but now use a
tiny natural riverrock medium. I chose the latter
because after experimenting with all my little ones
this seemed to be their preferered choice... We tried
numerous types of sands and gravels... alone and in
combination. I did notice that many of the guys I
'adopted' from places using sand as a substrate didn't

seem to mind the sandy areas... but those adopted from

places using gravel avoid the sand and would 'bunch
together' and make every effort to avoid the areas of
sand. Crushed coral sand was about the only sand they

didn't mind. No matter what substrate you use... DRY,

DRY , DRY is important so that you do not subject your

guys to a possible bacterial infection.
Some folks use wire cages and with circulating air
a damp or 'wet' substrate is not as much of a problem
as it can 'air dry'.... but in a plastic or glass
crabitat, you would not have the circulating air to
dry out the substrate... and you are just asking for
problems. The bacterial growth are often not seen and

the result of their presence is sometimes too late to
remedy without loss of claws and legs... and many
times death of your crab. I learned the hard way, too

late...listening to someone who said that the wetter
the sand the better... because 'crabs do live on
beaches'... Nature is one thing, but since the guys we

are dealing with are our pets, and we have to take all

precaustions to see that their health and well-being
is not jeopardized. If ever in doubt, call or e-mail
Kathy at FMR. She is a member of our group and most
knowledgeable in such matters!
*******************************************************

E-MAIL ADDRESS: fmrpets@...
TOLL-FREE PHONE: M-F (9-5 EST) at 1-800-535-2722...
WEBSITE: fmrpets.com
*******************************************************

KEEP THESE HANDY......
*******************************************************Happy

Crabbing! CLD

=====

Kritterlandusa.... Home of Some of the Happiest and
Greatest Little Creatures of God.... Gone but far from
forgotten: SKRIPER, DUKE and KING, along with the
others waiting at the Rainbow Bridge!







=====
Kritterlandusa.... Home of Some of the Happiest and Greatest Little Creatures of
God.... Gone but far from forgotten: SKRIPER, DUKE and KING, along with the
others waiting at the Rainbow Bridge!