Soft shell crab filter system

[amylee8828]

I need help understanding the filter system for a closed tank system. This is my first time setting up for soft shell crabs. Once the water drains from the tank where does it go? Does it go thru the bio filter first and then thru the pump back to the tank? Or do I have it backwards? And how deep should The water be and how often should I change it out?

[rdbeard]

when the water in the tank runs through the spill tube it falls into a 55 gallon plastic drum .The drum is laid on it's side and sits in a cradle i made from 2x6 and 2x8.  the drum has a 12'' x 12'' hole cut in center as the drum is on it's side, the drum also is 1/3 rd to 1/2 ful of oyster shell for the bacteria colonys to set up on this bacteria will eat the waste from the crabs. So when the water level reaches top of spill tube it falls into the drum through the hole in the side of the drum then is sucted from the drom and delived back to the tank through a 8' long pc of pvc pipe with holes drilled down 1 side, this water pouring with some pressure and breaks the suface of the water in tank to add oxegen back in to the water. U will need a vavle of some kind on dicharge of pump to regulate flow so the 55 gallon drum doesn't run dry. Hope this helps, Oh and when crabs start to die whn the are coming out u wil  need to change at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the water and u will also have to add for evaporatin as needed.

[amylee8828]

Ok thanks, it defiantly helps. How do you prepare the oyster shells for the bio filter? Should they be cleaned first? And do you ever have to change out the shells?

[rdbeard]

 Never have to change shells and really no prep but mine i had saved overthe years and were dried out just hose them off for dirt and such.You could also use lava rocks like used to in grill or anything with a rough pourous surface as long as its free of any oil or chem.  Forgot to add that to kick start bacteria colony u can use rid which is a product to start bacteria colonys in septic systems to eat waste also maybe 1/4 to 1/2 box. this would be done several days before adding alot of crabs

[amylee8828]

Ok another stupid question, is shedding crabs seasonal or can you shed them all year long? And how often are you checking the water levels? Thanks again for your help!

[capt. ron]

We do it a little bit different here.  Are you going to shed crabs in the back yard or in the garage?  The number of crabs determines the size of the tank.  Are you going to buy your peelers or catch them yourself?

Ronnie

[amylee8828]

My husband is a commercial crabber so we plan on catching them. This will be our first time shedding so I want to start off small for now until I can understand how this all works. I plan on setting up a 4 x 8 closed system in our garage. Any advice helps, thanks.

[capt. ron]

I was a commercial crabber in Lake Pontchartrain for 15 years.  Launched mostly out of Kenner boat launch but crabbed the whole lake.  Had 4 tanks going at one time.  Sold everything.  Now I crab for fun.  I can get you started.

Ronnie

[amylee8828]

My husband is crabbing out of Myrtle Grove and Port Sulphur. Started building the tank today and almost done. What do soft shells go for now days? Thanks so much for your help!! If I have anymore questions, which I'm sure I will, I will contact you.

[rdbeard]

 Thanks Ron, i think i've been kicked to the curb.

[capt. ron]

Grew up fishing down there.  In fact I'll probably be down there this weekend.

rdbeard.  Sorry I stepped on your toes.  Maybe I can send you some boiled crabs and a 12 pack of Abita beer.

Ronnie

[rdbeard]

 Na , your ok Ron i was tired of typing anyway

[jack1747]

http://www.bluecrab.info/resources2.htm

[ChrisS]

Go with bio balls if you have the money. Superior to oyster shells.

Closed systems are tough.

Little secret tip for ha, try bleach

[amylee8828]

Bleach?? Where would you put that and how much? Thanks again everyone for the advice!!! I'm clueless 

[ChrisS]

Pour a cup or so into the filter, my friend swears by it. Says it makes bubbles an helps the protein skimmer remove toxins. I've never tried it, but he does a good business.

[Mimic]

Again with the bleach don't listen to this guy bleach. Is bad have you ever heard of any living thing waiting to live in a toxic sludge there lungs will be on fire never add bleach to your system not even if it's barren and you just want to clean it

[Mimic]

If for some reason you put a protein skimmer on your system which was a waste of you money as you shouldn't be feeding these crabs anyhow and a protein skimmer is to remove dissolved solids you need to understand how a protein skimmer works what lvl it needs to sit in the water and it creates bubbles from fraction a pin wheel is drawing in water and air then chopping up the air into tiny bubbles these bubbles act like magnets for desolved solids like leftover food or poop but as you shouldn't be feeding these crabs u need the poop to feed your good bacteria there is such a thing as to clean. If your system dosnt hAve enuff food for the good bacteria it will die off leading to a spike in nitrates. And bio balls are expensive for a simple shedding system good for a reef tank but not even nessisary in a FOWLER tank if you need any more advise on your shedding system please ask I've just joined this forum and my wife's family invented the closed loop recirculating filtration system that the crabbers on lake pontchatrain use today. Only thing you need to do to your system in add a RODI drip system to keep your salt levels constant and check your salt lvls weekly

And whoever is telling people to add bleach to there systems please think about going and drinking a cup of bleach along with your dinner and then tell me if that's acceptable I would think adding this to a closed loop system is like begging for a disaster

[ChrisS]

mimic.....bleach is in your water and you do drink it at your dinner table. Now you can disagree with my tip, that's ok....but your out of line trying to insult me.

[Mimic]

Sorry if I  offended you buddy but I don't drink bleach in my well water I live in the swamp lands north of New Orleans and the amount of bleach that is in city water is no where near the concentration of pouring in a cup of bleach into a 500 gallon closed loop system of course the skimmer would go crazy making bubbles its trying to pull the bleach out of a system I in no way intended to offend you just suggest that befor you suggest to a novice that is looking to improve there knowledge of a certain subject you make sure you your self have all the facts and understand the concequencess of your "suggestion" could cost her thousands of dollars in dead catch