- automated misting system with timer(i found myself misting daily on all of my tanks to keep with 80+%. this is because I leave out large portions open for good air circulation. I notice my crabbies are more active when there is more air flow into the tank. I got my seconds timer, which can mist as short as 1sec. will go something as follow(i modified this typical misting schedule from dart frog tanks, which needs more moisture than hermit crabs):
• 10 second at 8 am to rehydrate tank from the night to wake up the occupants with a refreshing morning mist,
• 5 seconds at 9am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4pm to maintain the humidity throughout the day.
• 10 seconds at 5pm for a late afternoon drenching.
• Then 10 seconds at 8:30PM before lights out to keep humidity at night
i will have to see if this schedule turns out to be too much misting, or too little misting as I am going to have on-going ventilation fan at really low speed inside the tank.
- automated light/moon glo lamp. I am stil debating on the light. The location they will be hanging out is really well lit, facing East. Its really bright throughout the day... so maybe I dont need the lights inside the tank, other than maybe UVB lamps.
- deep substrate. I think I want at least 8-10" deep substrate.. but it seems like it will be closer to 8", mostly sand for good drainage. I will also use egg-crate on the bottom.
- Automated heating: this is a bit tricky.. I got heating cables that are waterproof, and can be used underwater, or under the substrate. But since crabs dig for molting, I think I will just allocate heating cables on one side of the wall with thermostat.
- easy access: I hate to lift up my glass lid from the top to get to water dishes, and food bowls. I have lots of vines, and I always have to wiggle around them to get to this. So front access(sliding glass door) would be really helpful
-no waterfalls, and no built-in pools: I want my crabs to have fresh water daily. no need for testing water, or worry about possible leakage from pool. I will instead provide them with larger pool that can be taken out daily, and be cleaned.
- climbing vines, better yet, a miniature tree branches, that crabs can climb and sleep.
- more levels for different types of shells, including jumbos.
- no soil dwelling plants: air plants, and Bromeliads. I love how Bromeliads grow pups off mother plant, which can be fun climbing activity for crabs. It will add attractive visuals to the room as well. with strategic placement away from crabs initially, until it grows larger, which then will allow crabs to get to... maybe it wont work. we will see
enclosure is going to be lined with heavy duty pond liner. Since there is no water feature, the design process will be less stringent, and complicated.
here is the pic:
I think I will take time to sterilize cork bark(little over 10lbs!), ISO plants(i got about 15 different bromeliad Neos), and spend time to plan out if anything else is missing. For now, back to hand misting all 5 tanks......argh. This will be soo fun!!!
