1.the first most important thing is FALSE BOTTOM! My old tank constantly flooded! Those who posted the step by step of building the false bottom were invaluable! It works beautifully!
2. The 5:1 ratio of sand to EE is right on. Nothing else will do.
3. Moss pits, preferably hanging and a little on the sand itself. A MUST or humidity...there is just no other way (besides a fogger, I suppose). I made a "moss hill) on this build (just added), out of plastic canvas, wire-tied moss bunches to it, then wire-tied it to a couple of sticks and use it to hold back my deep substrate. I wanted to keep the "beach" open in front of the pools, so built a ramp from the "mountain" down to the "beach". They seem to enjoy the diferent "areas".
4. Buublers in pools. Luckily, my first tank came with ish tank stuf so I use that for the bubbler. Easy peasy!!
5. Adequate heaters for the size of tank. PLUS insulation all around. My next job is to insulate the topper, which is the hood from the 10 gallon with a wood adapter I cut from 1/8" wood.
All in all, my 3 guys seem to be happy. One is down for a molt, the other are best buds, very active (from about dinner time until way past bed time, then they sleep when I am at work!)
Yep, I am hooked! Thanks to all the great help!
I'm so happy for your crabs!
