Building new Crabitat

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:15 pm

This second level is going to be awfully heavy though considering the sand I will be filling it up with then decor. Don't know if branches will work in my case. Maybe my brother with his woodcutting skills will be able to make me something

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:36 am

Okay so step one will be substrate. How many bags of sand (50lb from Hardware store) would you recommend I buy? Then how many blocks of EE would you recommend for me to buy. With the tanks I have had one bag and one block of each is all I ever needed and have had plenty but with the larger tank I am thinking I am going to need a whole lot more. Those who have larger tanks how many did you pick up of each to reach the amount needed?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:55 am

I was looking at your pictures, so are you going to do a false bottom since you will have a fountain? A lot of people with fountains have had issues with sand and the filter. Also make sure your hermit cannot get stuck in it. I don't know about pvc not being safe but you are right about that second level being really heavy if you are going to fill it with sand. Are you concerned about reaching underneath that second level when it is set up? I know I would be.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:00 am

Kaleighshermies wrote:Okay so step one will be substrate. How many bags of sand (50lb from Hardware store) would you recommend I buy? Then how many blocks of EE would you recommend for me to buy. With the tanks I have had one bag and one block of each is all I ever needed and have had plenty but with the larger tank I am thinking I am going to need a whole lot more. Those who have larger tanks how many did you pick up of each to reach the amount needed?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With my 75 I had previous substrate to use, but I added 4 bags of the clay sand and 2 bricks of ee. I originally bought 6 bags. I have lots of ee on hand. With my 100 gallon I bought 8 bags of sand. You can always return what you don't use.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:42 am

Wow lol that's so many! Good thing I'm in no rush. I think I am going to get 4 bags to see how much that starts me off with and then 2 or 3 bricks of EE. Luckily my guys are quite small so I won't have to go crazy. Thanks for the input I really had no idea how many I would need.

Also has anyone ever been concerned with the bottom glass giving out due to the weight of substrate?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:51 am

GotButterflies wrote:I was looking at your pictures, so are you going to do a false bottom since you will have a fountain? A lot of people with fountains have had issues with sand and the filter. Also make sure your hermit cannot get stuck in it. I don't know about pvc not being safe but you are right about that second level being really heavy if you are going to fill it with sand. Are you concerned about reaching underneath that second level when it is set up? I know I would be.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was not planning on making a false bottom due to not even knowing what that is or consists of. The fountain was cheap if I have problems with it I can easily just take it out. This is a big project for me and I am not going to make it stressful on myself.

Yes I do want space under the second level. What I was thinking was having my brother build a giant rectangle out of wood. Bottom of rectangle buried under substrate to anchor, sides will easily be strong enough due to being screwed together to hold up the second level. Picture a draw out of a desk but with no bottom. The middle will have plenty of room under the second level to use.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:04 pm

For those of you who have a 75gal+ tank. What do you use for heating. I personally would like to use the heat pads that stick on the back of the tanks. Is there one really big one I can purchase? I am only seeing small ones. Or do I need to buy multiple small ones.

Do I have them on one side of the tank or in the middle of the tank?

Above substrate I know of already.

Any other tips or information?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:17 pm

False bottoms collect water so that if there is a leak your hermits in the substrate will not drown.

That sounds like a plan with the second level

I have large and jumbo crabs~ my substrate is deep.

As far as the glass giving out, I've always had good sturdy tanks. Never worried about tank, but I did have a stand collapse on me when I was setting one up!! That was insane! I was happy it happened while I was setting it up and not when I was done!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 4:23 pm

I purchased my uth from http://www.reptilebasics.com. They come in all different sizes. I bought a medium size for my tank bc I live in Florida so I don't have issues with heat. Yes, you want to tape it on the back of your tank, and insulate it if needed. During the winter mine is insulated with Reptiflex. (Purchased at lowes or Home Depot) some people use card board and aluminum foil. You cannot insulate zoomed heaters. During the summer months I have a warm and cool side on my tank. Btw, for my tanks I do not have the heater near my water.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:38 pm

Thanks for the link. I have a heater in my room during the winter which keeps it awfully warm so I don't believe I will need to insulate. If I bought a large uth should I put it on one side as well so they can have a warm and cool side? If so I will most certainly make sure their water dishes are in the cooler side.
How were you able to make yours stick? I read that some of them fall off. You said tape it on the back, like duct tape? Will it be too hot for tape?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EadvEnturEs · Post by **EadvEnturEs** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:40 pm

I use the same ones and I've always used regular or double-sided scotch tape. I go over board and put it on everywhere. Anything you have laying around should be fine.

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:46 pm

Okay awesome as long as it doesn't melt the tape!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaleighshermies · Post by **Kaleighshermies** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:47 pm

I get paid this Friday. Thinking about picking up substrate if it's in my budget. Small steps at a time!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EadvEnturEs · Post by **EadvEnturEs** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:57 pm

I'm with you! I'm waiting on Thursday to work on my false bottom, haha.

And most tape should be fine, but I probably would avoid duct tape since it already leaves residue and hot would be worse.

kieagcarm · Post by **kieagcarm** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:07 pm

Second level idea- you said imagine a desk drawer, so we'll you be able to see in the tank with something like that? I know I would be sad if I couldn't watch my crababies!
Uth- I wasted money on my zoomed heaters, so please don't waste yours. You want the biggest you can get, to cover the length of the whole back of the tank. It won't need to go on a side as it will cover the entire back(it's thinner that it is long) and the front of the tank is usually a little cooler than the back. Also make sure it's above the sub.
Substrate- I used 75lbs off sand and half of the biggest bag of loose ee for my 20g tall.

Sent from my C5215 using Tapatalk

HCA: Hermit Crab Association