fact or fiction?

[gingajane]

There is a man not too far down the road from us with a softshell operation.  We went visiting the other day and he shared something interesting.  There is a major shedder buyer that comes in where he sells his softshells.  Come to find out, this big buyer has a large softshell operation in Maryland.  This Maryland fellow said that he had additive that you can put in the water that would make the shedders pop.  Opinions?  Fact or fiction? 

[DipNSip]

Must be M-80's. Just kidding.  I believe he is pulling your chain. The crabs crawl out of their shell when they are darn good and ready. I've watched crabs shed right in the mud and in live wells. Some of the busting crabs took an hour or two and some take longer. They have their own pre-destination.

[R D]

You can chemically enhance the water to induce shedding,I have read about it but never tried it and probably wont ever,I like things natural.

[jebsurf]

When I have 2k +  worth of crabs in my sheadders I would not do anything(chemically) to change it. Now I have seen where people warm the water to help the crab pop. This year I had a bunch of red hots and a cold front came trough and it was almost like they went dormant.

[R D]

I do have a gas pool heater on my system.it would be tough to shed many crabs in March and early April without it,

[got crab]

how does the gas pool heater work.   i use 2 inline spa heaters.  i never heard of a gas pool heater, does it run on gas or propane?

[R D]

Propane,works great,I think I could boil the water if I wanted to with it BUT at todays prices it's around $25 to 30  a night to run it.