I got my hands on a 55 gallon tank!

[parker_roo]

Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you guys the progress of my new crabitat setup! I bought a 55 gallon tank from Petco, during their $1 per gallon sale, and I have been very excited to set it up. This page will be dedicated to the pictures I will share while I get this tank together for my crabs. I hope you guys like it!

[parker_roo]

Now I first started with my false bottom, which took way too much time and some frustration. But I finished it, and this was the result:







And what I did to make my false bottom was like any other false bottom. I got the PCV pipe couplings for the base, and made holes in the bottom of them to let the possible water pass through. Then I took the egg crate and cut in to the desired size, and on top of that was the weed block and plastic knitting canvas which I sewed to the egg crate with hemp, plus some zip ties. Then I created the little chamber for the pipe to go in where I will siphon any water that may flood my tank.

I have ordered my Ultratherm, and I will then start on substrate once I decide on where I will put my tank.

[OBXPair]

Wow! Most impressive. What are the dimensions of your tank? And please indulge this newbie by explaining the purpose of a false bottom.

[parker_roo]

It's a Tetra 55 gallon tank, 48" W x 13" D x 20" H. So this huge tank is like 4 feet long. But the main purpose of a false bottom is to prevent flooding. The PVC couplings act as the base to support the egg crate and the substrate. Then the weed block keeps the substrate from getting under the false bottom. And the plastic knitting canvas is what hermit crab owners need to add because a crab can and will easily break open the weed block material and get stuck under the false bottom. And lastly, the tube or the PVC pipe you see sticking out has a cap, which you remove to suck up the water with a siphon, in case the tank does flood.

I hope that isn't too confusing, but like I mentioned, it is just to prevent flooding in your tank.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! And honestly when I first saw a post about a false bottom, I was very confused, and now I'm making my own.

[soilentgringa]

Wow! Most impressive. What are the dimensions of your tank? And please indulge this newbie by explaining the purpose of a false bottom.

Just a note about false bottoms: You don't HAVE to have one. Some of us do, and some of us don't. One member recently had a crab dig through into the bottom of hers and get stuck, requiring the excavation of a 125 gallon tank. Some have never had issues and appreciate the peace of mind. My 55 gallon does not have one and we have had it in place for a year now with no issues. It is a personal preference, so don't feel pressured either way

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[OBXPair]

Thanks, Parker and Soilent! All very interesting. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know!

[parker_roo]

Update!

Okay so I have not gotten a ton of work done on my new setup, but I have done a few things that I will share.

I made my own DIY sliding glass top! I went to Lowes and bought some handles, tile moulding to support the glass, and of course, the glass itself. I had some cut for me and all together it cost about $12 to $15. Here is some pics!



Okay, next I got the Ultratherm all set up. First of all, I grabbed a aquarium background to make it look nice, instead of the black background of the Ultratherm. This was the background I picked out:

Then I taped the actual UTH to the back of the tank:

And then I put foil around it to keep it insulated:

And then lastly, I used foam bored to insulate it even more:


Well I finally got that part done. I think my next task will be the substrate. I bought 3 50lb bags of play sand, plus I have a half bag from my previous tank. And I will mix that with my three bricks of EE. I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to set everything up, but I did find a big bag of fake plants from Good Will for $6! I will keep you guys updated!

[soilentgringa]

I used 6 bags of playsand and 3 or 4 bricks of EE in my 55 to give 12"/13" of sub. Le crebz love it.

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[meg_and_the_zoo]

I'm curious about the top you made...could you give a little more detail? Specifically about the tile molding? And how does it allow for air circulation? Looks very cool!


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 6 crabs

[parker_roo]

I'm curious about the top you made...could you give a little more detail? Specifically about the tile molding? And how does it allow for air circulation? Looks very cool!


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 6 crabs

Here is the link to the tutorial:
http://www.tankgeek.com/2011/04/07/diy- ... iding-top/

But the tile molding has a little notch on the bottom side that allows the bottom glass to sit on and slide, while the top glass sits on the top part of the molding and can either slide or stay put. The link with the tutorial has pictures and explains all of it. But for the air circulation, what I had done with my 29 gallon tank with my sliding glass top I made for it, was I just kept the top opened slightly and taped it so that crabs can't escape. I am assuming that would be enough air circulation, but if I'm wrong, please let me know. I just has it cracked open about 1/4" on both ends.

[meg_and_the_zoo]

Ok cool...I'll check it out


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 6 crabs

[parker_roo]

Hello again to everyone! I haven't really been on here since the first day the site went down for the merge. I'm glad to see it back up and running! I want to try to get invovled again with all my fellow crabbers on here. I have really missed replying to and sharing all of our great crabbing adventures!

Anyway, as you could maybe guess, the 55 gallon tank has made no progress. If it had been, I would be posting all my pictures of the process of the transition onto this page. But after 3 months have passed, unfortunately, as all of you have had to experience before, life got in the way. I'm not sure what exactly to do. I want to continue the progress of my new tank, but I have a dilemma. I may be moving to a new house around June of next year. Yes, that's a lot of time! But would it be worth starting a whole new tank, just to take it down in less than 8 months? At the pace I'm going, the tank may not be finished until December, at the latest. I have all of the substrate, I just need to prepare it and put it in my tank. Then I have to decorate it, make some extra things that I want to add such as bubblers, and heat it. I do have the Ultratherm UTH on the back of my tank, but my room gets cold during the winter time, and I don't think the UTH will give off enough heat. Depending on work and school, I could get it done in a few weekends. But things don't always work out.

Well sorry for the long post, but I want to say I will post my updates on this page, but it may take some time. What do you guys think? Should I set-up my 55 gallon tank, even though I will have to take it down in June? Your opinions are very much appreciated! Thanks!

[IBlab crab]

Parker, I will tell you what I have done with my 40b while doing remodeling on the house and needing to move tank around.I waited til my 2 molted and were doing well then I placed them in a bin.I removed substrate putting it in a 22x16 under the bed container 7 inches deep. I placed it in the 40 with their caddies and food dishes.There is space left on the end so I placed a rubber shower mat that is cut to size on the bottom so when they climb down they do not clunk their shells.I put cholla branches to get up and down placing water dishes below.I also put a black seafan tucked behind the bin against the glass to help climb up and down. The sand can easily be taken out when I need to move the tank.This is only temporary but is working well with good temps and humidity.You have the convenance of a plastic bin and the conditions of a tank all in one.

[parker_roo]

Hello world! I know this is a pretty old topic, and I've finally got time to finish my 55 gallon tank! I have filled it up with substrate, added all the decorations and essentials, and of course added my crabby family to the tank, and it looks like everything is great so far! I have planned to finish my tank several months ago, but life got in the way. With school and two jobs, I never seem to have much free time. But it doesn't matter, I am just happy and excited that I finally finished it! I'll post some of my pictures of the final set up and my crabbies enjoying their new home!

*let the crabby adventures begin*

[marandashermies]

Hello world! I know this is a pretty old topic, and I've finally got time to finish my 55 gallon tank! I have filled it up with substrate, added all the decorations and essentials, and of course added my crabby family to the tank, and it looks like everything is great so far! I have planned to finish my tank several months ago, but life got in the way. With school and two jobs, I never seem to have much free time. But it doesn't matter, I am just happy and excited that I finally finished it! I'll post some of my pictures of the final set up and my crabbies enjoying their new home!

*let the crabby adventures begin*

lets see the pics!!! Please...