Second Levels

[Guest]

Hey! I have a couple of general questions about "second levels" in crabitats.1) How many gallons do you suggest to have as a minimum before even trying to construct a second level?2) How do the crabs get up to the second level?3) I really like the idea, so how do I go about building a second level? Thanks!

[PSUPrncess10]

I've been thinking about doing the same... not really sure what a minimum tank size would be, but if you put cholla or a lizzard ladder or some type of netting from the floor to the second level, they will be able to get up... as far as construction, look in the library on this site and/or do a search - sooooo many people have done this, using so many different methods... good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Nicole]

lmachere, I have found that having the "long" tanks (say, a 20L instead of the 29 gallon high) makes it extremely difficult to build a second level because the relatively low height of the tank makes it really easy for the crabs to climb up and out. Here is a link to another thread on second levels, maybe it can help: How To Do A Second Level

[Guest]

I have a second level in a standard 10 gallon tank, build out of plexiglass. You do want to be VERY careful that your lid is very secure if you do a second level, especially if you have larger crabs. Hermies are famous for being great escape artists. Also, if your lid has ventilation holes, you won't want to put your second level near them, as it may give them an easy way out. I used artificial plants to give my hermies ways to climb up and down from the second level, no one seems to have any trouble at all navigating them. Just be sure whatever you use as a "ladder" is secure at both ends, so no one can knock it over or down.You're really only limited by your imagination on how and what to build a second level from. Mine is a shallow tray about 1" deep made from plexiglass, fastened together with aquarium sealant. It's just about half the length of my tank and just enough narrower than the width to allow me to get it inside the tank without having to tilt it too much. It is supported by a triangular plexiglass column about 2 inches wide on each side filled with tumbled rocks to give it stability, and the column is attached at the bottom to another sheet of plexiglass which rests directly on the bottom of the tank under the substrate, so the crabs can't dig under it and upset the support. The tray isn't attached, so it can be easily removed for cleaning. I keep it filled with damp sand, and usually have their food up there. It's very stable, and easy to manage.Others have built second levels with everything from netting to corks glued together, to sheets of glass glued directly to the tank walls. It's really up to you, what you think would look good and hold up well in your tank. There's one person here, don't remember the name, who has a bridge type thing built entirely of unused wine corks, it looks awesome.

[Guest]

1) How many gallons do you suggest to have as a minimum before even trying to construct a second level? A.I would say about 10 gallons high.2) How do the crabs get up to the second level? A. They can get up with a ramp or coral, rocks, or any other climbing thing. Make sure you have somthing to climb on right underneath if you don't have a ramp.3) I really like the idea, so how do I go about building a second level? There are several ways to build a second level. One of the most popular ways is to glue a plasic container to the side of the tank, then glue wood, popsicle sticks, or pieces of plastic to the bottom of the container to make it stable. Then fill the container with sand. Another way is to take a net and suction cup it to diffrent parts of the tank. The net way is only for climbing. I use another idea. I got a turtle platform from Pet Discounters and stuck it on the side of my tank for an instant second level. This is the fastest and easiest way, but it isn't that big. I normally keep their food and water up their, but I take it down when I get new crabs to make it easier.

[Guest]

Do the crabs really walk up to the second level?

[Crabby Abby]

I've been working on a 2nd level and thought I'd share some ideas. I'll put my best one first and hope nobody's come up with it yet. I was excited to have thought of it.Corn cobs would make great pillars. They can be cut to height, drilled, sliced lengthwise, eaten, climbed, etc. They're sturdy enough to support heavy levels and thick enough to stay balanced. And the possibilities are endless.In Walmarts craft aisles, I found these.A picket fence to serve as a ladder: http://www.darice.com/ecom/ProductDetai ... =15056.The wire is surprisingly sturdy so with sufficient anchors at top and bottom, it may not sag. $1.97A wicker basket full of shells. Many are decorative but the flatter ones can serve as dishes and a few are worthy of homes. $4.97.A decorative net with a fake starfish. $2 The shells and net are made by U.S. Shell and can be seen in the second and third cubes down the lower left side of their home page http://www.usshell.com/.And then this idea but I can't find the product solo. You know those half moon wire planters that people hang outdoors? They usually come with some kind of natural material like coconut or wood fiber or sphagnum to line the wire. I'm assuming you can buy just the liners somewhere. I hope so because I've seen baskets the size of hermie huts and I thought a replacement liner would make a good all natural hut or decorative piece to maintain moisture.Crabby Abby

[Guest]

Crabby Abby- I'd be hesitant to use the picket fence thing, what kind of wood is it made from? How is the wood treated, what sort of chemicals were used? And what kind of metal is the wire? Will it rust in the humid environment of your crabitat? Your other ideas seem pretty good, tho. I'd never have thought of using dried corn cobs.

[Crabby Abby]

Good catch, Kittish. Those are questions I didn't think to raise myself. I'm glad you have my back! I wouldn't want to do anything to risk injury to my little buddies.I emailed the Darice website to ask. I'll post a follow-up when I get a reply.

[Crabby Abby]

I heard back from Darice regarding the picket fence that I thought could be used as a ladder. No bleach or chemicals have been used in it's making but it's made of pineBummer. It's perfectly sized and could have made a great tank accessory.