tank set up ideas

[ciaraalston]

So, with this 55 gal, there's like a million things i could do.
BUT, i'm sticking with a simple design, just lots of hides and climbing.
with that said, i have some questions.

1. what do yall use for pools? i have Tupperware bowls doubled up right now, but they're not deep enough IMO. also, they're so wide i'd like something more narrow that doesn't take up so much surface space but is deep enough for them to have plenty of room.

2. i want about 8 to 9 inches of substrate. i've researched and found i'll need "250 lbs of playsand, 4 bricks of EE, and 15 16oz cups of amendments." i'll play with that ratio a bit because i want more EE than sand, but the amendment is my question. does it have to be ONE thing, or can i just oyster shells, moss, and worm castings together? all that mixed into the substrate would it throw off the sand castle consistency?

3. i ordered a bag of worm casting from hermies kitchen but it was small. Where can i get worm casting and moss in bigger bags for decent price? also, what type of moss do yall reccommend?

4. i see that some folks like water bowls buried and some like them above the substrate... any pros or cons to either, or just personal preference?

5. the second layer will most likely be built out of wood. (unless yall have tried that and it failed and you have advice on a better idea) if i use wood, what type do yall recommend?


So, i'm sure i'll have more questions, but i think that's more than enough for tonight. haha. Like i said before, it will be a few months before this tank is up, but yall just don't know how impatient i am. I can't do anything to the tank until we build a stand because nothing in my house will hold a 55 with all that weight! so i'm impatiently getting everything else together so when the stand is built i can just add it all in and get it going!

[Rawrgeous]

1.) the sandcastle consistency is more controlled by how much moisture there is. I like to get my ee expanded first, and start adding stuff to that. Then afterwards I'll add more liquid if necessary. This helps not oversaturate the sub when you are first starting. I personally don't add anything extra to my sub other than a bit of crushed oyster, but that's just me. I usually just sprinkle however much in and call it good.
2. ) I like to keep mine only slightly buried, because when it is level with the sub, while it is more visually appealing I feel like I have to clean the pools more often because more sand gets in them. At the end of the day it's purely preference.
3. ) Most garden supply stores or Amazon have them. Just try to get organic.
4.) Wood is fine just make sure it is on the safe food list. Keep in mind that wood tends to mold quickly- so a saltwater soak might be necessary to prevent that. It won't hurt the crabs but you might not like it much. I've never had an issue with cholla or cork though. Driftwood I know it a popular choice as well.

[ciaraalston]

1.) the sandcastle consistency is more controlled by how much moisture there is. I like to get my ee expanded first, and start adding stuff to that. Then afterwards I'll add more liquid if necessary. This helps not oversaturate the sub when you are first starting. I personally don't add anything extra to my sub other than a bit of crushed oyster, but that's just me. I usually just sprinkle however much in and call it good.
2. ) I like to keep mine only slightly buried, because when it is level with the sub, while it is more visually appealing I feel like I have to clean the pools more often because more sand gets in them. At the end of the day it's purely preference.
3. ) Most garden supply stores or Amazon have them. Just try to get organic.
4.) Wood is fine just make sure it is on the safe food list. Keep in mind that wood tends to mold quickly- so a saltwater soak might be necessary to prevent that. It won't hurt the crabs but you might not like it much. I've never had an issue with cholla or cork though. Driftwood I know it a popular choice as well.

What do you use as water bowls? Do you like them narrow and deep or wider and more shallow? (But still deep enough for them to submerge)

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[Hermiesguardian]

As for water bowls, I also use doubled up plastic containers.
I came across this which is narrow.
InterDesign Linus Kitchen, Pantry, Refrigerator, Freezer Storage Organizer, Clear

http://www.walmart.com/ip/InterDesign-L ... r/28212825

[Rawrgeous]

I actually just replaced mine because my old ones were getting yucky. I use two square Ziploc tupperware containers with zip ties holding with plastic craft mesh on through holes I made. It's easy as far as maintenance goes which is why I like it. I can't remember who originally gave me the idea here, but it changed the game lol because changing water is my least favorite crab chore! I believe they are the medium size ones. They fit perfectly side by side on the end in my 55.

[piratetoothgir]

So, with this 55 gal, there's like a million things i could do.
BUT, i'm sticking with a simple design, just lots of hides and climbing.
with that said, i have some questions.

1. what do yall use for pools? i have Tupperware bowls doubled up right now, but they're not deep enough IMO. also, they're so wide i'd like something more narrow that doesn't take up so much surface space but is deep enough for them to have plenty of room.

2. i want about 8 to 9 inches of substrate. i've researched and found i'll need "250 lbs of playsand, 4 bricks of EE, and 15 16oz cups of amendments." i'll play with that ratio a bit because i want more EE than sand, but the amendment is my question. does it have to be ONE thing, or can i just oyster shells, moss, and worm castings together? all that mixed into the substrate would it throw off the sand castle consistency?

3. i ordered a bag of worm casting from hermies kitchen but it was small. Where can i get worm casting and moss in bigger bags for decent price? also, what type of moss do yall reccommend?

4. i see that some folks like water bowls buried and some like them above the substrate... any pros or cons to either, or just personal preference?

5. the second layer will most likely be built out of wood. (unless yall have tried that and it failed and you have advice on a better idea) if i use wood, what type do yall recommend?


So, i'm sure i'll have more questions, but i think that's more than enough for tonight. haha. Like i said before, it will be a few months before this tank is up, but yall just don't know how impatient i am. I can't do anything to the tank until we build a stand because nothing in my house will hold a 55 with all that weight! so i'm impatiently getting everything else together so when the stand is built i can just add it all in and get it going!

Hello!

I use Up & Up plastic storage containers, which are 64 ounces each.
These fit perfectly any way in a 55 gallon, you can arrange them how you want.

You can mix crushed oyster shell to your substrate, some do that, while others might just sprinkle it on the top of the substrate. I have 300 pounds of substrate in my 55 gallon

I prefer my pools about an inch above the substrate, with the plastic mesh placed like a ramp for easy access. It’s easier to remove from the ground when they are slightly raised.

I haven’t ever done a second floor, but there are some great examples and ideas around this forum! I prefer toppers.



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[GotButterflies]

1. I use tupperware containers doubled up. craft mesh for ramp.

2. I also expand ee first with dechlorinated msw, then mix play sand together. When you have crabs in, you can only add 1" of substrate every 24 hours if you don't pack it down. Do not pull anything out of the substrate for fear of collapsing tunnels. I do not mix anything else into my substrate. I do sprinkle coarse oyster shell on the top of my substrate.

3. I use organic sphagnum moss and organic sheet moss.

4. My pools are above the ground because I don't want to cut into molting space.

5. I personally prefer using different media. For example, Don't make an entire shelf. Make it different levels so they climb and get exercise. I double up baskets for hiding spots, shell shops. Use branches from safe wood for climbing. They are also called tree crabs Use plastic plants and or authentic fish net for climbing.

Pinterest is a great place to get ideas too - they may not always be safe though

So, i'm sure i'll have more questions, but i think that's more than enough for tonight. haha. Like i said before, it will be a few months before this tank is up, but yall just don't know how impatient i am. I can't do anything to the tank until we build a stand because nothing in my house will hold a 55 with all that weight! so i'm impatiently getting everything else together so when the stand is built i can just add it all in and get it going![/quote]

[ciaraalston]

I saw this and thought instead of putting it on a shelf, what about covering the back with it as climbing material? I hate seeing all the wires and the uth across the back, but the coconut fiber climb wall became a mess so I won't be using that again. Lol.
Do y'all cover the back wall?

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[piratetoothgir]

I saw this and thought instead of putting it on a shelf, what about covering the back with it as climbing material? I hate seeing all the wires and the uth across the back, but the coconut fiber climb wall became a mess so I won't be using that again. Lol.
Do y'all cover the back wall?

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You could cover something like that, with some decor and such. I don’t cover the back of my tank, because my UTH fits perfectly over the entire backside of the glass tank.


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[ciaraalston]

So, GB had a great point! I decided not to build a second layer. Instead, I'll add some corner shower caddies. That way, they have more than just one place to climb up, they'll have like 3. I'll make 1 a shell shop, one a moss pit, and probably just add some treats and moss to the third one.
Of course they'll have cholla wood and a couple of rock formations to climb, but the second layer would just be wasted space because honestly mine are so lazy they wouldn't use it. Lol

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