New 65g build, lots of questions as I go!

[ashleyandanimals]

I have lots of Marimo balls in my fish tanks. They are pretty hardy but they do lose shape if you don't watch and they get squished under decor or stuff. I know you can buy fake ones. Maybe go with that if you want one so there is no chance of them dying.


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[hprmom]

@hprmom, any pics of your new 65g tat and hermies?

Hi @Kermie16, this link's especially for you! Hermitree Haven pics

Normally I try to edit down my photos and post a few highlights, but it's taking me so long to sit down and do this that I just threw up a hundred or so, LOL. So there are a bunch of photos that look the same, until I have time to go back and edit. I just didn't want to make you wait any longer since you asked so nicely twice! Later I'll choose some highlights to post in the pictures forum.

Oh yeah, and most of these pics were taken before we found the mold problem and had to remove/replace some stuff, so it's a continuing work in progress!

[Kermie16]

WOW!!! You did a great job! Your tat is beautiful!! I love all of the vibrant colors and all of the creative accents you made. I have to say my favorite piece is the Ewok!! Love Star Wars
Your hermies are adorable! Beautiful black and white marbled shell! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[Nutcracker]

If you want to try bigger pools, I would suggest some Tupperware from the dollar store. It will only cost you a few bucks and that way if they don't use them, you can just pull them out and but the reptile rock dishes back in. Make sure you buy two of each size. One to remain in the sub and one that you stack on top of that, which is filled with the water. It makes it much easier for water changes!

Can you explain this trick? Why one bowl on top of another, and how do the crabs reach the higher bowl of water?

[KayedeeLove<3]

If you want to try bigger pools, I would suggest some Tupperware from the dollar store. It will only cost you a few bucks and that way if they don't use them, you can just pull them out and but the reptile rock dishes back in. Make sure you buy two of each size. One to remain in the sub and one that you stack on top of that, which is filled with the water. It makes it much easier for water changes!

Can you explain this trick? Why one bowl on top of another, and how do the crabs reach the higher bowl of water?

Using two containers prevents collapsing tunnels and uncovering molters! If you put a couple of tiny shells or something in the bottom of the empty container it prevents the containers from sucking together! Hope that was helpful!

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[marandashermies]

If you want to try bigger pools, I would suggest some Tupperware from the dollar store. It will only cost you a few bucks and that way if they don't use them, you can just pull them out and but the reptile rock dishes back in. Make sure you buy two of each size. One to remain in the sub and one that you stack on top of that, which is filled with the water. It makes it much easier for water changes!

Can you explain this trick? Why one bowl on top of another, and how do the crabs reach the higher bowl of water?

The main reason I do it is too make water changes easier. You just have to lift up the top dish to empty, while the second one stays in place. My dishes are a little above level to the sand, so the crabs can crawl right in and out.


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[cap7]

I think putting the two containers together is the best tip I have gotten here. It makes it easy to take or replace without disturbing the substrate. I have small stones in mine to keep them from being stuck together.
I cut the craft plastic sheet to make a ramp.


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[hprmom]

Can you explain this trick? Why one bowl on top of another, and how do the crabs reach the higher bowl of water?

What everyone else said! My bowls are a little different in that they are the same size but not the same depth. The one I bury is shallower, so I don't have to give up as much digging space. Because one bowl is taller than the other, they nest without sticking so I don't have to put a layer of pebbles or anything in-between. Here's a pic:


And links to the bowls on IKEA (they come in sets of 3 and work out to $1/each, so a set of each is enough to make both pools and have a spare):
2 1/4" deep: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10166071/
3 1/4" deep: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90166072/

And a pic of the bowls in the finished tank (I used craft mesh and pebbles to make ramps in and out):


Here's a different set of stacking containers ("clear accessory box"), these were about $1.50 on sale at The Container Store (normally that store is too pricey for me!). They have kind of a "ledge" so that when they stack they don't stick. We filled the airspace between the two bowls with glass pebbles and shells for looks. I used a huge clamshell and a piece of lava rock to make ramps for getting in and out of this pool.


For really not much more money than disposable kitchen tupperware, all of these bowls are thicker, stiffer, and sturdier. I'm crazy about them, can you tell?

[cap7]

That looks really nice, hprmom


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[Kermie16]

They look great!!

[soilentgringa]

I also use the double container method for my pools. They are on top of the substrate, not buried in at ground level. I have branches and plants that the crabs can climb into the pools with and plastic craft mesh for them to use as ladders.

[Brian_T]

That looks fantastic. Your inspiring me to do more with my modest set up.

One question: what are you using to line the shell shelf? I'm using a similar dish and the crabs make a terrible racket clanking shells on the plastic in the middle of the night.

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[hprmom]

That looks fantastic. Your inspiring me to do more with my modest set up.

One question: what are you using to line the shell shelf? I'm using a similar dish and the crabs make a terrible racket clanking shells on the plastic in the middle of the night.

Thanks! Even when I only had the 10g and 20g I had big plans for them, lol. I just upgraded before I put them in action!

I have two different corner shelves for shells, this clear plastic one and this flower design one in green. The clear one has a bumpy texture but is solid except for a hole in each front corner. The flower one I like because the design has little holes all over (between the flowers), including the sides, so the crabs can grab and climb it, and I have lots of options for where to zip tie nets, cholla, etc (on the clear shelf I can only zip tie to the corners). I put a piece of plastic craft mesh on the bottom of each, though; the clear one so it wouldn't be as slippery, and the flower one so they could walk without legs falling through the floor. Also some of their poop and mess gets trapped in the craft mesh, so I can just lift out the mesh for cleaning instead of pulling out the whole shelf (I did the same in the moss pit).

They still make a lot of noise in the shops, but it's the sound of shells scraping against each other or crabs knocking against the glass, not from the plastic shelves. Hope that helps!