HCA: Hermit Crab Association

2" apart is pretty close together. How many pieces of PVC did you end up using for your whole base?


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My tank is a 20 gAllon long, and the piece of pvc I bought was 2 feet long, and I had about 4" left over (the end of the tank where the pools are don't have pvc under them ). Without looking (I am not at home), I believe there are 5 rows across, with 4 pieces in each row.

Ok that is a lot in a 20 long. I can imagine it holding up now.

I wonder how many supports a larger tank would require for it to hold though? In that case, it may be worth ordering the egg crate even if it costs a little extra or using the hydroton clay. ?

I agree, a larger tank also contains more inches of sub, so a denser network of support is required.


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Yeah, I guess it makes sense that only plastic canvas can hold the weight with more pvc as compensation


I actually found something that looks very similiar to egg crate that will order if I can't find it in any store. It's black instead of white, but that should'nt matter I guess

cHorse wrote: I actually found something that looks very similiar to egg crate that will order if I can't find it in any store. It's black instead of white, but that should'nt matter I guess

Awesome! I hope you'll share pics when it's all done.

CallaLily wrote: Awesome! I hope you'll share pics when it's all done.

Of course! It will take a while, but I'll update this thread with the progress

I saw that black eggcrate too! As long as its not too expensive, and isnt painted, itll be fine.


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So, I've started with my false bottom now.

I'm trying to saw the PVC with a hand saw... which is kinda hard lol. And it does'nt get completely even. Is it important that the PVC is on the very same level, or is it okay that it differs with a milimeter or two? I will put them quite close together.



I also kinda.. stole.. this thing from my boyfriend too (heey, he was'nt using it ), which I think will be awesome in the crabitat!

That column is adorable!! It will be put to good use!


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Love the column!


I cut my pvc with a hand held jigsaw. It was fast and easy.

Can't wait to see more!

Thanks! I love it too

Alright, then I'll continue sawing them this way

False bottom done! That was some hard work, I don't want to do another false bottom ever in my life lol! My hands are full of blisters, and unfortunately my floor was lost in the process. There is only PVC dust now, everywhere.

Now, I'm not sure about the plactic canvas. I have wrapped the fabric thingy twice around the egg crate, so it's fabric x2, 1 cm egg crate and then fabric x2 again. The crabs should be able to tear the first layers of fabric, but will they really be able to reach the second layer under the egg crate?
Does anyone here have a false bottom without plastic canvas that is'nt leaking substrate? I would be happy if I can avoid the canvas thing.

Yaaay it's done!

I have an American Green Tree Frog Vivarium with a false bottom. I have two layer of screening on the false bottom, and that keeps the ABG mix I have in it from falling into the water.

Yeah, I'm sure it will hold the substrate in place on it's own, though I don't know if the crabs "claws" will torn the fabric. I guess the tree frogs don't dig, or do they?