Discoloured Water?

[Red1]

The water (5inches in height) in my crab tank appears to have taken on a brownish hue...I have a large piece of bogwood in it which is not a knew item and was soaked for a week, used, soaked again and then was given to me... so wouldn't think it is causing it. I have lost 3 crabs in the past 3 weeks (roughly a week apart) so am now wondering if there is something wrong with the water?? Any Ideas??

Thanks

 

[raptorrex]

The water (5inches in height) in my crab tank appears to have taken on a brownish hue...I have a large piece of bogwood in it which is not a knew item and was soaked for a week, used, soaked again and then was given to me... so wouldn't think it is causing it. I have lost 3 crabs in the past 3 weeks (roughly a week apart) so am now wondering if there is something wrong with the water?? Any Ideas??

Thanks

well it is very unlikely to be the tannins from the bog wood. there seems sufficient evidence that this is actually good for inverts. you dont mention if you are using Brackish water to house your crabs. not doing so is the major cause of death to aquarium kept crabs. oh and they are land critters not aquatic. so they should have, roughley, 4 times more land mass than water.

 

[Colin_T]

the brown water will be from the driftwood/ bogwood. It is tannins and shouldn't cause an issue. However, if the wood is breaking down, then it could be creating an ammonia problem that is killing the crabs. But also check what crabs you had and see Boboboy's info about salt and land for them.

 

[Red1]

The water (5inches in height) in my crab tank appears to have taken on a brownish hue...I have a large piece of bogwood in it which is not a knew item and was soaked for a week, used, soaked again and then was given to me... so wouldn't think it is causing it. I have lost 3 crabs in the past 3 weeks (roughly a week apart) so am now wondering if there is something wrong with the water?? Any Ideas??

Thanks

well it is very unlikely to be the tannins from the bog wood. there seems sufficient evidence that this is actually good for inverts. you dont mention if you are using Brackish water to house your crabs. not doing so is the major cause of death to aquarium kept crabs. oh and they are land critters not aquatic. so they should have, roughley, 4 times more land mass than water.

Ok well that's the bog wood eliminated, no it wasn't brackish water at the time (was waiting for an order to arrive of salt) but have gone out today and got some salt, so have added it and also scooped out some of the sand and rinsed it then returned it to the tank - clean. I haven't lowered the water any more as the filter wouldn't be under water, 5 inches in the mimum but they have 3 nice areas (bogwood & rocks) out of the water to climb and sit on. I assume i'm right to use a filter or could I lower the water even more to say...2 inches and have no filter at all? We checked at the fish shop on temperature as well and they said they keep there's at 24oc - is this the right temperature for the little crabbies?

Thanks for your help