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Trying to manage substrate moisture... Clueless
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:55 pm
by ejnolen
Hey y'all! My tank flooded last month (it was all EE), so this time around I've filled the tank with a 4:2 ratio of sand/EE. Problem is... I have no clue how to tell if it's staying moist enough below the surface! I've got one molter down, so I'm not doing any exploration below about 1 inch right now. The top inch feels moist-ish, but is definitely beginning to dry out - especially nearest the UTH. The water bowls aren't evaporating very quickly, and my humidity is around 75%. Temp lingers around 80-82°F. My second crab is having tons of fun digging tunnels in the new substrate (when she's not hanging from the mesh lid like a bat), and doesn't seem unhappy. I'm just concerned. I don't want them to survive Noah's flood only to get stranded in the desert!
Re: Trying to manage substrate moisture... Clueless
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 6:59 am
by Hermiesguardian
ejnolen wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:55 pm
Hey y'all! My tank flooded last month (it was all EE), so this time around I've filled the tank with a 4:2 ratio of sand/EE. Problem is... I have no clue how to tell if it's staying moist enough below the surface! I've got one molter down, so I'm not doing any exploration below about 1 inch right now. The top inch feels moist-ish, but is definitely beginning to dry out - especially nearest the UTH. The water bowls aren't evaporating very quickly, and my humidity is around 75%. Temp lingers around 80-82°F. My second crab is having tons of fun digging tunnels in the new substrate (when she's not hanging from the mesh lid like a bat), and doesn't seem unhappy. I'm just concerned. I don't want them to survive Noah's flood only to get stranded in the desert!
If they're able to dig tunnels I would think it's moist enough.
Re: Trying to manage substrate moisture... Clueless
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 9:21 am
by JoeHermits
Can you see through the walls of your tank? Moist substrate will be darker.
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Re: Trying to manage substrate moisture... Clueless
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 11:26 am
by wodesorel
Sand tends to dry out from the top down. You can control how much by lightly spraying, but be cautious of how much is sinking to the bottom!
Re: Trying to manage substrate moisture... Clueless
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 4:52 pm
by ejnolen
Thanks everyone!