Shedding crabs

[Mrsofty]

My goal has been reached. I'm now shedding them for my kids.
From what I read the mortality in operations is between 11% and 30%.
I knew when I posted this thread that there would be unwanted advice and criticism. This is normal on most forums. I also realize some guys are trying to be helpful and some just want to put others down for some inane reason. For the record I Knew about everything that was advised. I learned nothing from advisors and critics. For the record at one time I had 29 aquariums, have kept LM Bass, yellow perch and pickerel in aquariums and have had a garden pond in the back yard for over thirty years. I know about water quality. I don't know everything but I know enough. I live outside of Annapolis. Anyone who would like to see my operation is welcome to stop by anytime. I'm near the Riva Rd. Bridge by the South River.

[Mrsofty]

Shut the operation down today. Combination of water temp getting to low and diminishing supply of peelers. Have a freezer loaded with softies for the winter.  This was a fun project. Can't wait to start next year.

[flounderpounder]

Something I always wanted to do was try shedding soft crabs. I final"y did it. And it is working out fine. My primary concern was where to put the operation. Outside raccoons would be a problem. Since I had access to peelers for free I decided on setting things up in the garage. I had the tank and sawhorses and pump. The initial pain was hauling water from the river. I have to come up a steep hill and can only fill the buckets half way. It took several trips. I did elect to buy two aquarium filters. One would have probably been sufficient.
If my supply of peelers holds up for another two weeks I should have enough softies to get the family thru the winter.
Being retired and readily available to check the operation around the clock is necessary. Seems the crabs like to shed between one and three am. I've had two shed and eaten by the other crabs and two that got hard because I fell asleep. Some die during the shed. I've been told this is normal. Some shed fast and some take a couple of hours..  
things I've noticed. The crabs are not aggressive to one another. Some even sit on top of another crab. Sometimes they already out individually and sometimes they cluster together.
My biggest shed so far is a seven inches. All are over five.

Make it easier on yourself and use dechlorinated  tap water and kosher salt. Waters cleaner(  dirty water is number 1 reason for stills and hangers) just make sure your filter system is cycled ( performs nitrogen cycle) and you'll have lots less stills. I could shed 12-15 crabs at a time in a 29gal closed system ( fish aquarium) with great success.