Pencil test is a major fail

[kieagcarm]

I noticed bellatrix is trying to dig back down, but can't create a hole so I did the pencil test in the spots and they all failed. I have three crabs down, what should I do m should I start major spraying of the sub, our dog everyone up and start over? I swear I don't get it, I keep failing at this. My temp/humidity is 82/90

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[kieagcarm]

I hate auto predict. Should I dig, not our dog

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[kieagcarm]

I'm in tears I've had a really bad last two days and I just fail at every turn with these guys

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[mool]

I just had to do a major re-wet of my sub. It took 2.5 gallons to bring the consistency back up to sandcastle--so it happens. Don't beat yourself up over it.

I'm not quite sure how to advise you when you have crabs down because I don't want any harm to come to them. You could certainly mist, but over misting might cause the water to run straight to the bottom and create a bacterial bloom.

Maybe try misting an even layer over the entire surface. How about something like getting a bunch of moss really wet and then putting a layer of wet moss over the whole tank floor? I'm thinking that might slowly seep into the sub and moisten it without flooding.

I was lucky in that all of mine are up top and I was able to remove them and re hydrate and stir up the sub. I also found a bunch of buried shells that I had forgotten about.

[kieagcarm]

I'm thinking I should take out the shelf second level, the ladder to one of the shell shops the moss pit and the cholla wood so that the sub is pretty much accessible for spraying. Then soak the whole top of the sub by spray bottle. They will still have the rock cave and coco hit to hide in, the coco wall, vines, fake plant, coco hut, shell shop in lizard ladder and second level soap dish with the net and bridge to no where.

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[mool]

That seems like a sound plan. Only do 1-2 heavy rounds of misting to avoid a flood at the bottom.

[Just Jay]

when i was trying to bring my heat up the top of my sub was fully dry. so i misted until moist then using my fingers or a loose paint brush i would lightly mix the top layer. i did this about every day or so. when i mean the top layer im talking barely to my first knuckle. when you have lots of climbing and second levels its a bit more work to make sure when your misting daily that everything is getting covered. also when i make my sub i FW as i make mix my EE and play sand.


i would say in about two weeks or so if the sub isnt holding tunnels or the bottom gets wet (you should be able to see it in a glass tank and when you do a pencil test it will leave the tip wet) you might want to think about digging them up....but just keep in mind digging them up is a last resort type of thing and not something you should do lightly.


just try to keep in mind also a more positive outlook will help. you are doing everything you can to the ability you have. 100% of this is trial an error so please take a breath and just know your PP's are stronger than they seem. the wild throws a lot at them so just try to come at things in a calm level headed manner. also never forget we are all here to help and have had to deal with the same trials and tribulations. every set back is more knowledge you gain and excperience.

wishing you well!

[kieagcarm]

took out the second level and everything on it, the cholla wood, the ladder(they have no access to that shell shop now unless they climb the vine), the moss pit and some shells(dull have about 40 in). I added the hanging coco moss pit I made and put the coco hut under it for access and I used 2/3 of this spray bottle to wet the sube then I got a pic of Persephone and bellatrix who are terrified in the corner. I feel awful I stressed these two out. I didn't touch them out move them but all the moving of things really freaked them out

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[Just Jay]

Whenever i move things i try ro do it very quiet and slowly for them. I also do at least small changed nightly so they are getting used to it.

Again dont feel bad or stressed just after posting i realized one of the plants i added to my tank are toxic. So now i get to make sure no one eat any of it. So just keep working at it!

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[Giner13]

What is the pencil test??


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[NLindsey921]

The pencil test is when you put a pencil or chopstick down in the sub against the glass to see if your sub will hold a tunnel. If it collapses your sub is too dry. If it floods your sub is too wet.

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[Just Jay]

What is the pencil test??


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You take a pencil/straw/chop stick and push it intothe sub somewhere you know a crav isnt under [corners of the tank are great options]. When you remove the "pencil" your sub should hold the tunnle. That shows its the correct consistency.

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[Giner13]

Oooh I gotcha!


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[Kermie16]

Did the pencil test only fail in one section of the tank? And how far down did u test?


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[mool]

As far down as you can. I can't go all the way to the bottom with mine because the sub is deeper than the pencil is long.