1,020gl Crabitat *New Crabitat Update
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:19 pm
As some of you already know, I've been working on building a new crabitat. 
This is the official announcement and the build thread which will be updated as it all comes together.
According to THIS SITE, it's approximately 1,021.9 US gallons.......
So far I've managed to find an old bookshelf which has been turned into the substrate basin at 83" long, 36" wide, and 18" high. I used a bead of silicone in all of the edges and added pond liner to avoid any possible leaks.
I've also constructed a false bottom using 1" PVC pipe and weed guard fabric. Since the substrate isn't visible like on a normal aquarium, I didn't want to risk a flooded substrate happening without being noticed.
Using 2x4's I've erected studs on every corner (and an additional support in the middle along the back wall) as a basic frame for the back & side walls and lid. The back wall is crab-safe-sealed pine, and the side walls will be the front and back of mycurrent 217gl Crabitat. I didn't want to disassemble it but it's saving me quite a bit of money, plus it's going to look great with a glass side to allow better viewing and more natural light.
You can read about this build HERE.
I've also been using a new method for creating a Great Stuff & Cement background, you simply spray it on plastic bags in the shape you need then peel it off once it's dry, and you get lightweight pieces which make easier to grout and easier to attach to the crabitat. It also makes it simple to create flat ledges for eating platforms, shell shops, or you can carve a hole for a moss pits, leaf pit or EE pit. Since I have over 4 feet of height and width to work with, I will have several EE pit ledges and moss pits which also increase molting space.
This is the thread I used as a guide for the DIY background:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/view ... 5&t=183891
Here's the rough drawing of the new Crabitat!
I don't have any current pictures but i'll be uploading a few tomorrow morning
Can't wait to see it all completed!!!
This is the official announcement and the build thread which will be updated as it all comes together.
According to THIS SITE, it's approximately 1,021.9 US gallons.......
So far I've managed to find an old bookshelf which has been turned into the substrate basin at 83" long, 36" wide, and 18" high. I used a bead of silicone in all of the edges and added pond liner to avoid any possible leaks.
I've also constructed a false bottom using 1" PVC pipe and weed guard fabric. Since the substrate isn't visible like on a normal aquarium, I didn't want to risk a flooded substrate happening without being noticed.
Using 2x4's I've erected studs on every corner (and an additional support in the middle along the back wall) as a basic frame for the back & side walls and lid. The back wall is crab-safe-sealed pine, and the side walls will be the front and back of mycurrent 217gl Crabitat. I didn't want to disassemble it but it's saving me quite a bit of money, plus it's going to look great with a glass side to allow better viewing and more natural light.
You can read about this build HERE.
I've also been using a new method for creating a Great Stuff & Cement background, you simply spray it on plastic bags in the shape you need then peel it off once it's dry, and you get lightweight pieces which make easier to grout and easier to attach to the crabitat. It also makes it simple to create flat ledges for eating platforms, shell shops, or you can carve a hole for a moss pits, leaf pit or EE pit. Since I have over 4 feet of height and width to work with, I will have several EE pit ledges and moss pits which also increase molting space.
This is the thread I used as a guide for the DIY background:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/view ... 5&t=183891
Here's the rough drawing of the new Crabitat!
I don't have any current pictures but i'll be uploading a few tomorrow morning
Can't wait to see it all completed!!!
)
Or if i can't move in ( 
) When can you ship one to aus?
I wasn't even able to get new pictures, i only have the few from when I did the measuring and cutting of the 2x4's 
