Hermit Crab Parking Garage

[Dukkie]

Found this at a thrift store and had to have it.





This weekend DD and I modified it.
We also found that Oona didn't make it. So the Oona Memorial Shell Shop and Moss Spa Mall.

[GotButterflies]

Very sorry to hear about Oona.

My concerns and or suggestions would be the following:
1) What type of wood is it? (this is a concern)
2) You might need more traction for the hermits to climb than just a little piece of rope. maybe coconut fiber would be better or organic burlap...just a suggestion.
3) The humidity might cause the jute twine to give way a bit on the shops.
4) Maybe put something up the sides of it for them to climb...

[Dukkie]

1) What type of wood is it? (this is a concern)
A. it's kiln dried pine that is over 10 yrs old, so I thought that any fumes would have well dissipated. It has no paint or varnish except for the numbers.

2) You might need more traction for the hermits to climb than just a little piece of rope. maybe coconut fiber would be better or organic burlap...just a suggestion.
A. DD plans to add shells to the ramps but if we find more twine or burlap that is a good suggestion. The ramps are very slippery.

3) The humidity might cause the jute twine to give way a bit on the shops.
A. The twine is one piece and the knots are tied so the can be tighten up kind of like a bra strap.

4) Maybe put something up the sides of it for them to climb...
A. One of the sides will be against a the back of the crabitat and I really want to cover the top with burlap or something. DD suggested putting fishing net in different places for climbing and safety. She also wants to weave some plastic ivy on the edge of the baskets. Summer stock is coming to Dollar Tree so ivy should be available soon.

I'm still trying to find a knitting pattern for "fishing net".

[Dukkie]

I found this DIY for flexible vines. Maybe someday we'll give is a try.
I also found a video for making DIY vines: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lgVjamg0CZI
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DIY flexible vines
by unknown author in 2015.

You'll need:

Aquarium safe silicone (GE 1 Windows and Doors is usually used. Use clear, brown or black. Black or brown is actually best if you can get it.)

Peat moss, or coconut coir (fiber) (not sphagnum moss), screened. Keep the fines and discard the big chunks.

A large tray

Stainless steel wire (I use this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/0041-inch- ... -8895.html)


Step 1.
Pour a generous layer of your screened peat moss into your tray. Cut your desired length of wire and lay it down flat, in a whirl shape if a long length is used, in the tray.

Step 2.
For thin vines, cut a smaller bead on your silicone cartridge nozzle. If larger vines are desired, cut a larger bead. Pipe a solid, uniform (as much as possible) line over your wire. Your silicone should be fresh, and not past the expiration date or you'll run into problems. It'll be too dry and too thick to be able to work well.

Step 3.
Brush the peat over your silicone. Cover it entirely, and then shake the tray gently to uncover it.

Gently, lift and flip your vine. Now place it down flat and gently push down on the wire anywhere it's exposed so that it becomes imbedded in the middle of your silicone.

Again, brush peat over your silicone. Now pat it down so that peat gets imbedded better. Shake the tray and repeat as needed.

Step 4.
Allow to cure for at least 4 days. It's ready to use. Gently bend where needed. If you're rough with it, it'll crack.

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