My tank will be divided into three areas. Forest, Dune, Rock pools
The basics of my tank
40.3 gallon (35.5 x 17.5 x 15)
Built in ramp
Clamp lamp at one end, UHT at the other
The Idea
The substrate
Sand
It will slope upwards towards the ramp and the forest side.
I may mix in some other organic material towards the forest side. I was thinking either, safe leaves, a bit of EE or worm castings.
The rock pool end of the sand will be wet. (Wetter then sandcastle consistency, but still dry enough to be safe and fully absorbed by the sand) The dunes will be slightly drier then sand castle consistency, (on top)The forest area will be sand castle consistency.
I plan on achieving this by spraying and using the finger hole method in the rock pool area, only using the finger hole method on the dunes, and only using the spray bottle on forest area.
Water
A few small salt water "rock pools," sitting in the beach side. I plan to make these with rocks and shells and silicone.
A "stream" of fresh water. I plan on using half a PVC pipe with the ends closed up. I'd like to create a flow in it, I suppose by some how modifying a airstone thingy? It will have riverstones/ pebbles in it and I will have pieces of wood over it as bridges.
Small "puddles" in the forest area. Probably out of oyster shells
Food
Small shallow dishes through out.
Different areas will have food that corresponds, Seafood near the rock pools, seaweed and stuff on the dunes, veggies and meat in the forest.
Shells
shells will be throughout the whole tank, but the majority of the will be in the rock pool area. The further away from the rock pool, the less shells
Heating
Clamp lamp will be my main heat source, with the UHT only used when needed. this is to reflect the fact the beach is hotter then the forest, usually.
Decoration
Lots of fake plants, fake logs, branches, vines will be in the forest area. Not much will be on the dune area, large shells, drift wood and maybe rocks will be in the rock pool area.
I have a VERY rough sketch of this
I plan on this being a long term project
current tank. roughly, the stream will be around the small pink water bowl.
Alright phew! a lot of words.
Anything I missed?
Will something not work out?
Any suggestions?
Yay or Nay?
My plan of attack!
Step one
I need to get:
Eco earth/ worm castings/other organic material
more sand (i think I may have enough left over from last time, but I need to find it)
my 5 gallon tank out
a small container (in case someone is molting)
One day when the majority of my hermit crabs are active, I am going to clear the future "beach" side of my tank and place my 5 gallon there. I'll fill it with a little of sand, something to hide in and something to eat/drink, just while I do my substrate.
Once that is done, I will remove all of the sand from the forest side. I'll mix that up with more sand some organic material. The forest side will be the highest point, it'll then slop down in the middle. the beach end will remain at the height it currently is.
Once done, I'll put the crabs back in.
