I have an idea for a project, but I don't know how safe it would be for the crabs.
Basically I would like to apply foam or resin to the second level in my crabitat, and then file it into the shapes of rocks, with pretty much the same general idea as Here only with a second level.
I look at my crabitat, and I think the only thing that bothers me now about it is that my second level is obviously plastic and has no natural qualities. If my crabitat's only non-natural thing was my circulation fan, then in my mind I think my crabitat would be perfect.
Crab Safe Foam/Resin?
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Crab Safe Foam/Resin?
Last edited by Guest on Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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You should check out curious_kitty's build!
viewtopic.php?t=74449
There are a lot of methods and building materials that have been used in fish tanks and vivariums for years without any issues. The problem is that it's rather a new thing to use these methods for hermit crabs, so most are untested. They SHOULD be perfectly safe, but it just hasn't been tested and proven yet. Honestly, the best course of action is to search and find as much info on the project you're considering. If it's safe for a reef tank or for a frog tank, in theory, it should be safe for inverts like hermit crabs as well.
The only problem with crabs is that, unlike frogs, crabs will actually pick apart their environment.
So while Great Foam covered in silicone and EE would be safe, it would be torn apart in short order! Concrete or a hard epoxy would probably be the best choice to withstand a crab attack. Curious_kitty never posted back on how well the Titebond III glue and EE method held up to the crabs, but she did say that when it dried it was rock-hard so that's a good sign.
viewtopic.php?t=74449
There are a lot of methods and building materials that have been used in fish tanks and vivariums for years without any issues. The problem is that it's rather a new thing to use these methods for hermit crabs, so most are untested. They SHOULD be perfectly safe, but it just hasn't been tested and proven yet. Honestly, the best course of action is to search and find as much info on the project you're considering. If it's safe for a reef tank or for a frog tank, in theory, it should be safe for inverts like hermit crabs as well.
The only problem with crabs is that, unlike frogs, crabs will actually pick apart their environment.

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I'm doing the same thing, but for a feature wall. After many hours of looking around online, I've decided to use spray foam to make the basic shapes. That will be covered and sealed with cement, which will be painted (trying to hunt down epoxy paint, but it seems that here (Australia) it's generally only sold for painting pools and I don't want blue rocks) and then sealed with some nice and expensive west system epoxy. Luckily, my partner already had some, so I don't have to buy it, or I'd be bankrupt.