For topics relating to crab care that do not fit into the other categories.
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Topic author
Lburns
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- Location: Alabama
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by Lburns » Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:04 am
I added a moss pit last week. I have frog moss. It has a really strong earthy smell that makes me feel nauseous whenever I open the tank. I don't think there is anything wrong the moss...it doesn't appear moldy or anything like that. The crabs really like it. It just is way too smelly for me! Can anyone suggest a type of moss I could use that is safe for the crabs but maybe doesn't smell so strong?
P.S. Sorry I've been blowing up the board with so many questions. I'm trying to get my crabitat conditions perfect since I lost Robin and a bunch of stuff is coming up as I work on it. I'm afraid ya'll are gonna start being like...oh gawd it's HER again!
4 PPs. Crabbing since Sept. 2014. Batman - Found as a stray (holy crab!) (2 molts). Killer Croc (1 molt). Man-Bat (1 molt). Lex Luthor (1 molt).
RIP Robin (did not survive 1st molt).
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CallaLily
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by CallaLily » Sun Feb 01, 2015 12:02 pm
That earthy smell is pretty normal for moss. I kind of like it but my husband would totally get where you're coming from.
My go-to brands are
Exo Terra Forest Moss (my fav) and
Zoo Med terrarium moss. Both are very earthy smelling but I really don't think you'll find one that isn't.
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Topic author
Lburns
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:33 pm
- Location: Alabama
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by Lburns » Sun Feb 01, 2015 2:15 pm
Ah, ok. Thanks.
4 PPs. Crabbing since Sept. 2014. Batman - Found as a stray (holy crab!) (2 molts). Killer Croc (1 molt). Man-Bat (1 molt). Lex Luthor (1 molt).
RIP Robin (did not survive 1st molt).
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wodesorel
- Tech Support
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- Location: Leetonia, Ohio
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by wodesorel » Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:38 pm
I like the ZooMed Sphagnum Moss, because it doesn't smell strong at all. It's all plant material, whereas the green mosses always contain some dirt and since they're often collected from swampy areas, that smells comes along with it. It just has to do with the way the different mosses grow and are collected. The good sphagnum is super expensive comparatively, but it can be cleaned by squeezing in dechlorinated water a few times before it breaks down so it lasts a long time. It's also very fluffy, and squeaks when wet which is kind of fun.
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IMS08
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by IMS08 » Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:44 pm
The frog moss does contain dye so I steer clear of that. I like callalily use the Exo terra forest moss. I did find a small pine cone in it once but threw it away and my crabs have been all over it, eating and playing in it.
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Topic author
Lburns
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:33 pm
- Location: Alabama
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by Lburns » Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:14 pm
Thanks very much everyone!
4 PPs. Crabbing since Sept. 2014. Batman - Found as a stray (holy crab!) (2 molts). Killer Croc (1 molt). Man-Bat (1 molt). Lex Luthor (1 molt).
RIP Robin (did not survive 1st molt).
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Topic author
Lburns
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:33 pm
- Location: Alabama
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by Lburns » Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:36 pm
Just wanted to report back that I love the sphagnum moss. Doesn't smell hardly at all and the crabs like it too! Thanks again!
4 PPs. Crabbing since Sept. 2014. Batman - Found as a stray (holy crab!) (2 molts). Killer Croc (1 molt). Man-Bat (1 molt). Lex Luthor (1 molt).
RIP Robin (did not survive 1st molt).
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soilentgringa
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- Location: Dallas, TX
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by soilentgringa » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:43 pm
I just got some of the ZooMed sphagnum today and I think it is my favorite moss thus far. The crabs seem to love it!
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YYWW
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by YYWW » Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:32 am
That moss looks super green and is probably dyed, which is no good for crabs. People use marimo moss balls, which is actually live green algae, with good results.
Crabbers unite!!!
