Keeping a yorkie is way easier than keeping saltwater tank! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

capt_noonie · 04-02-2012, 02:33 PM

And I thought it was going to be easy peezy!

I thought it was just do a test once a week, change the water once a month, la la la. NOPE! After two months of establishing the tank, and all levels testing fine, we bought some critters. One emerald crab and two hermit crabs died. =/ The crab died within minutes, I witness him flailing his arms about helplessly. The hermits' shells were empty by morning and I found one of their tiny bodies on the other side of the tank.

I am currently getting help from a fishy forum, but sadly, I did not do enough research before I bought LIVE ANIMALS.

Did not even get a chance to name them yet.
RIP crabby and lil crabbies.

AllDogBoots · 04-02-2012, 02:39 PM

I've never had a salt water tank but I've had freshwater tanks all my life. It is definitely a learning experience as well as skill in being sure the water is just perfect for your little creatures. With that being said, sadly I lost a lot of fish in the beginning. However, I currently have a Kissing Gourami estimated at approximately 14 years old.

jmdt · 04-02-2012, 03:14 PM

I don't think your suppose to submerge the hermit crab. They are creepy looking things without their shells...aren't they?? Almost prehistoric.

Nancy1999 · 04-02-2012, 03:14 PM

My mother won a large salt water aquarium on the television show "The Price is Right". My dad was the one responsible for maintaining it for the next 20 years. It was wonderful to watch as children, but poor Dad had his work cut out for him. The balance of nature is very delicate, and one little thing can throw it off. We have a pond now, and it's fairly easy, for me anyway, hubby does most the work, but I do know that you can't just put the fish in the water. You leave them in a plastic bag until the water in the bag is the same temp. as the pond temperature. Just a few degrees off can put their systems through shock. I don't know if it's the same with crabs, do they come in bags of water? RIP little crabbies. I didn't know that crabs lived under water.

capt_noonie · 04-02-2012, 03:27 PM

Lol of course crabs live under water! I did do temp acclimation, but not drip acclimation, so salinity shock was what did them in. =\ even though these critters are not as expensive as our yorkies they still cost money and they are living creatures. Well they were at least. Goes to show you have to research anything and everything before you dive in.

capt_noonie · 04-02-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmdt

I don't think your suppose to submerge the hermit crab. They are creepy looking things without their shells...aren't they?? Almost prehistoric.

There's different kinds of hermit crabs. Of course these were not the land ones.

they look like shrimp out of their shells, but very rarely do you see one out its shell. I think they are cute.

Nancy1999 · 04-02-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

There's different kinds of hermit crabs. Of course these were not the land ones.

they look like shrimp out of their shells, but very rarely do you see one out its shell. I think they are cute.

Oh, I didn't realize that there were different kinds, you'd think they'd give them another name. Maybe you could start a forum CrabTalk!

fifeandshaffer · 04-02-2012, 03:53 PM

I agree salt water fish= harder than yorkies. I had a salt water tank for a few years the bf took care of it, the fish were so pretty but I was not a great care taker after the bf left... I hired a fish guy to come each week, did that for about two years, then I decided I no longer loved it, gave it away just wasn't worth it for me. if I miss them I put on nemo.

yorkietalkjilly · 04-02-2012, 04:05 PM

I admire you for doing one! Often thought I'd like to do a large one but realized the brain drain and work were more than I wanted to lend to fish, so sadly, I won't get to sit evenings and watch live as exotic sea life lazily drift around before my very eyes as I listen to music. Sigh. The very thought of such is a pleasure, though.

AllDogBoots · 04-02-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Oh, I didn't realize that there were different kinds, you'd think they'd give them another name. Maybe you could start a forum CrabTalk!

I fear a forum with this title may attract more than just crab lovers

capt_noonie · 04-02-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I fear a forum with this title may attract more than just crab lovers

Eww! LOL

capt_noonie · 04-02-2012, 05:07 PM

Here's vid of my little shrimp. He looks happy. Hopefully he'll make it. Small cleaner shrimp in new home - YouTube

Did I mention that Uni is SOOOOOO JEALOUS of the tank! LMAO! Poor baby.

DvlshAngel985 · 04-02-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fifeandshaffer

I agree salt water fish= harder than yorkies. I had a salt water tank for a few years the bf took care of it, the fish were so pretty but I was not a great care taker after the bf left... I hired a fish guy to come each week, did that for about two years, then I decided I no longer loved it, gave it away just wasn't worth it for me. if I miss them I put on nemo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I fear a forum with this title may attract more than just crab lovers

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

to both comments.

Once you get a good handle on it, let me know the breakdown of work and costs. We had goldfish for a few years. They belonged to my mom, but I did everything for them and even spent my money on their supplies. The fishes lived wih my mom. Now she wants a salt water tank after giving the goldies away!

Poor critters. You'll be better prepared next time!

DvlshAngel985 · 04-02-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Here's vid of my little shrimp. He looks happy. Hopefully he'll make it. Small cleaner shrimp in new home - YouTube

Did I mention that Uni is SOOOOOO JEALOUS of the tank! LMAO! Poor baby.

He's cute!!

AllDogBoots · 04-02-2012, 05:23 PM

He's very interesting and definitely fun to watch.

04-02-2012, 02:33 PM	#1
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Keeping a yorkie is way easier than keeping saltwater tank! And I thought it was going to be easy peezy! I thought it was just do a test once a week, change the water once a month, la la la. NOPE! After two months of establishing the tank, and all levels testing fine, we bought some critters. One emerald crab and two hermit crabs died. =/ The crab died within minutes, I witness him flailing his arms about helplessly. The hermits' shells were empty by morning and I found one of their tiny bodies on the other side of the tank. I am currently getting help from a fishy forum, but sadly, I did not do enough research before I bought LIVE ANIMALS. Did not even get a chance to name them yet. RIP crabby and lil crabbies. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

04-02-2012, 02:39 PM	#2
AllDogBoots Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 7,984	I've never had a salt water tank but I've had freshwater tanks all my life. It is definitely a learning experience as well as skill in being sure the water is just perfect for your little creatures. With that being said, sadly I lost a lot of fish in the beginning. However, I currently have a Kissing Gourami estimated at approximately 14 years old. __________________ I'm Karen - Devoted Mama to the Drama Boyz - Cooper & Max www.alldogboots.com

04-02-2012, 03:14 PM	#3
jmdt YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Long Island, NY USA Posts: 3,498	I don't think your suppose to submerge the hermit crab. They are creepy looking things without their shells...aren't they?? Almost prehistoric. __________________ Coco, Pebbles, Trixie, and Wally LOVE MY BABIES!!

04-02-2012, 03:14 PM	#4
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	My mother won a large salt water aquarium on the television show "The Price is Right". My dad was the one responsible for maintaining it for the next 20 years. It was wonderful to watch as children, but poor Dad had his work cut out for him. The balance of nature is very delicate, and one little thing can throw it off. We have a pond now, and it's fairly easy, for me anyway, hubby does most the work, but I do know that you can't just put the fish in the water. You leave them in a plastic bag until the water in the bag is the same temp. as the pond temperature. Just a few degrees off can put their systems through shock. I don't know if it's the same with crabs, do they come in bags of water? RIP little crabbies. I didn't know that crabs lived under water. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 04-02-2012 at 03:16 PM.

04-02-2012, 04:05 PM	#9
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	I admire you for doing one! Often thought I'd like to do a large one but realized the brain drain and work were more than I wanted to lend to fish, so sadly, I won't get to sit evenings and watch live as exotic sea life lazily drift around before my very eyes as I listen to music. Sigh. The very thought of such is a pleasure, though. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

04-02-2012, 03:27 PM	#5
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Lol of course crabs live under water! I did do temp acclimation, but not drip acclimation, so salinity shock was what did them in. =\ even though these critters are not as expensive as our yorkies they still cost money and they are living creatures. Well they were at least. Goes to show you have to research anything and everything before you dive in.

04-02-2012, 03:53 PM	#8
fifeandshaffer YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: cherry hill, nj usa Posts: 306	I agree salt water fish= harder than yorkies. I had a salt water tank for a few years the bf took care of it, the fish were so pretty but I was not a great care taker after the bf left... I hired a fish guy to come each week, did that for about two years, then I decided I no longer loved it, gave it away just wasn't worth it for me. if I miss them I put on nemo.

04-02-2012, 05:07 PM	#12
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Here's vid of my little shrimp. He looks happy. Hopefully he'll make it. Small cleaner shrimp in new home - YouTube Did I mention that Uni is SOOOOOO JEALOUS of the tank! LMAO! Poor baby. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12 Last edited by capt_noonie; 04-02-2012 at 05:08 PM.

04-02-2012, 05:23 PM	#15
AllDogBoots Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 7,984	He's very interesting and definitely fun to watch. __________________ I'm Karen - Devoted Mama to the Drama Boyz - Cooper & Max www.alldogboots.com