Upgrading tank, want suggestions

[Darklingwater]

Hi again all! This place has been INSANELY helpful so I'm back with a few more questions. We've made it through 1 crab molting so far and the other two are still down.

Just received a 55g for christmas and am looking for suggestions on how to set it up. I know a minimum of 8" substrate is needed for our largest crab, Speedy. Also, we would like to do a second level and some climbing stuff since the tank is tall enough for it. And live plants. Quick overview: we have 3 crabs (1 smallish large, 2 tiny) currently in a 10g. Substrate, temp, heat etc all good.

So my questions are:
1. What creative ways have you set up a second level?
2. Moss pit. I've heard people mention having them but what all is really needed?
3. Live plants. What plants are safe? I've read that crabbies can tear up plants pretty quick but would like to try a few live ones at least for now.
4. (From my daughter) Are there any other species that are able to cohabitate with hermits? Most of my research says "No way!" to just about everything but roly polys. But there have also been a few people who said they had luck. Not planning on adding new animals now (or ever if not safe), just asking for learning sake.
5. Pools. Awesome ideas for how you set up your FW and SW pools? Bubblers, falls, etc?
6. Has anyone had luck with using a UTH through paint on the back of a tank? Like a backdrop, thin layer of paint.
7. Are false bottoms really needed? I was thinking a layer of river stones about an inch deep would suffice in saving any crabs at the bottom on the offchance a flood happened.

I did have a good idea to do a backdrop in one section, maybe for a side and partial back, made of rocks and bark and great natural climbing things. I'll def post pics once I get started. We are super excited!

[hermieluv1]

Since I just finished my new 55 a couple of weeks ago, I can help with some!

First, I went through the "Pictures" postings, and looked at thousands of pictures of others tanks, and printed out photos of ones I particularly liked. Also, I used the "DIY, Products and Reviews" postings also for ideas, especially on second levels.

For second levels, a lot of people use locking suction cups. I despise suction cups (and if you try to suction cup a plastic bin to your tank wall right now, you will too!), so I used another method of siliconing L-shaped plastic strips with holed drilled in every inch to the very top (for vines) and halfway down (for second level stuff). It is SO much easier! You just cable tie whatever you want, and can easily move it.

There is a posting about safe live plants, though I believe a lot of them do get beat up pretty bad. I currently have a Bromeliad in mine that is actually growing, and the crabs ignose it. I also found a very young orchid at Home Depot for $5 so I put that in also, and it isn't quite dead yet! I think Pothos and spider plants are the favorites. Make sure to plant them in 2 pots inside the sub, so if you have to remove it, it won't disturb the sub.

Moss pits are definitely needed, to help keep humidity up and because the crabs love to sit/sleep in/eat it! Some people buy sphagnum moss at Lowe's or Home Depot; you can also get it at the pet store in a brick that you soak and it expands like EE. Get a couple of containers at the dollar store, plop in some moss, and attach it as a second level or right on the sub.

I don't know of any other species that can co-exist besides other types of crabs, but what a great question! There was a post here last month about a guy who had a whole eco-system going, but he way overcrowded his crabs and took quite a (well-deserved!) beating from everyone here! I will see if I can find it for you.

Pools, again, check out others pics. There are some amazing ideas! Jarteta97's 90 gallon is one that I used for a lot of inspiration. There are some incredibly talented people here!

I use a UTH over a regular plastic aquarium background (and my UTH is 35" because my pools take up the last 6 inches of length) and it heats great. Make sure to insulate well over the uth. I don't know about using it over paint.

False bottoms...well, some will tell you it isn't needed, and it isn't. But I had a tank flood and grow bacteria and it was a stinky mess and I never want that situation again, and it isn't hard or expensive so to me it is a no-brainer. There is a good tutorial on this also. I cheapened mine up a bit by just using more of the pieces of PCV pipe with plastic canvas/weed block fabric over it. It really is a matter of personal preference. Of course, back then, I didn't know better and was misting the sub directly, and I didn't have enough moss pits so was desperately trying to keep the humidity up!

One tank I did have a layer of aquarium stome in the bottom, but UNDER the plastic canvas. You don't want your crab to dig and get stuck amonst the rocks and not be able to get out! Remember, when they dig DWON to molt, they are strong; when they come back up, it is all they can do to get to the top.

Well, I hope that helps! I will try to find some links for you, too.

Congrats and have a blast!

[hermieluv1]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=96233

This is guy with the complete eco system (or so he thought)
And here is mine:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=102212

[Darklingwater]

Thanks so much! Those are great ideas honestly I didn't even know there was a DIY board on here.... oops

I'll be browsing like crazy through the pictures posts and the DIY ones. Yay for new projects! Being a major DIY person means there are about a zillion ideas running through my head right now for this crabitat. Our little guys are gonna love it.

[hermieluv1]

cool! You gotta share, too! Post your ideas!

[kadynadair16]

In my fresh water bowls I put Marimo moss balls. I just recently put them in so I will tell you how it goes! These are live plants btw

[arijustine]

Sorry, kind of piggy-backing this topic...
Any one have ideas for building materials? I'm specifically looking for some type of wire or thread that is safe and strong for my crabs. (I'm knitting a bridge.) I'm thinking hemp twine? What about burlap?

[YYWW]

I think burlap would work, crabbers love hemp. Boil before using in the tank!
I have also been using plastic packaging straps, plastic lace, and kitchen twine.


Crabbers unite!!!

[Crabinski]

Sorry, kind of piggy-backing this topic...
Any one have ideas for building materials? I'm specifically looking for some type of wire or thread that is safe and strong for my crabs. (I'm knitting a bridge.) I'm thinking hemp twine? What about burlap?

I've used jute twine to crochet a dense climbing net and have used hemp twine to attach things in the crabitat (i.e., binding sticks together). So far, the crabs haven't pinched their way through anything. Plastic zip-ties are always to go-to for attaching things to screen lids or corner guards. My biggest crab, Big Enzo, is always swinging off the loops of the closed zip-ties on the corner guards and hasn't come close to tearing one out yet.

[arijustine]

Jute twine is a great idea. Boiling the burlap is a must for sure (I work at a coffeehouse and can take the bags the beans come in for free.. but very dirty haha) I hadn't thought of using kitchen twine! I have sooo much of that laying around all the time! Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post pictures when I'm finished building this second level!

[uphoto]

sugar selections and I are making second levels out of cork tubes/rounds cut in half.