DIY Terrarium

[Da_Stos208]

I currently have a 10 gal tank for my hermit crab, Snappy. Here is the story behind her: I adopted her around 6 years ago from my school, who used them in behavioral experiments and lab-style tests. While She wasn't being purposefully harmed, she was kept in a open-top tupperware with a thin layer of sand for substrate, pellet food, a tiny water dish, and nothing to climb on. She had company at least. After rescuing her, I bought another crab from the pet store. A few years later, hermit died from unknown causes. Soon after, I introduced 5 other crabs. 3 dies and were eaten within the first month, with the other 2 lasting a bit longer. In the end, Snappy was the only survivor.Thinking it was overcrowded, I introduced 1 from the pet store. She ate him. Thinking it was lack of protein, I started giving her boiled shrimp and tried again. This time she killed her roomate but didn't eat him. At this point the only thing I can think of is lack of territory. So, I am going to build a tank. It will be big. I mean, really big. Like, 24" deep. 42" wide, and 85" tall. I plan on using plywood and plexiglass from home depot, and mineral oil as a finish on the wood to protect it from moisture damage. I am going to have at least a foot of eco earth/coconut fiber for digging, a saltwater and freshwater pool, and multiple ledges and shelves and walkways to make as much use of vertical space as possible. I want to put live plants in it as well, so my question is this: Are the materials I plan on using wise to use? Any advise on how to go about building it? any websites or stores recommended for buying corkbark and cholla branches etc? advise on what plants to use that are edible? (I was thinking moss and dandelions), any ivy that is safe? can live worms be kept inside to help with soil nutrients? Food mites are an inevitability here, so what eats them that won't kill the hermit crabs? (If the hermit crabs can eat said mite-predators, that is a bonus). How many crabs can I fit inside of it? Just overall advise on this project, thanks!

[soilentgringa]

Check out the care guides first, and ask additional questions if necessary. The guides cover almost everything you need to know.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92457

[KayedeeLove<3]

I read In a different forum on here that if a crab has been isolated to long they begin to hate socializing with other crabs, as social as they are. Best thing to do is keep that crab in a small tank by itself. The other tank can house all your other crabs. Or give your crab a chance the first go around, if u see any dead take her out.

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[Da_Stos208]

Will giving her more space to get away from other crabs solve the issue? The new tank I am planning hopefully will be big enough to allow alone time.

[KayedeeLove<3]

Idk each crab is different they really do have individually personalities.

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