I currently have plexi lids, DIY sliding ones that came from Youtube. I hate them. They restrict my access from the top to only half of the tank opening. They are about 1/8 inch thin, so the awesome and constant heat and humidity cause the lids to warp (my fault for getting thin plexi) and i have to flip these lids 2x daily. Good thing they're not permanent. The crabs can crawl out if they REALLY wanted to, but i suppose you can use clips to hold them in place. The warp issue can also be fixed, but i'm in the market for glass lids, so I won't bother. Also plexi seems to scratch easily, which is only a problem for me because i always have to handle them during flipping time. Good idea were i keeping fish. Not perfect for my crabs.
I had ordered a fitted hood with LED lights. I loved it until i discovered 2 major flaws. 1. The lights are under the lid! If i open the lid for cleaning/stalking, i lose my light source and can no longer use or enjoy that glorious LED lighting. 2. These hoods DO NOT prop up. Not only does that make humidity hard to control (though you might benefit from this) but cleaning was a pain, holding the lid open with one hand while cleaning with the other. The hood came with hinge clips, but propping the hood up resulted in the whole kit snapping off and falling backwards.
IMHO, sand is a must. I have seen tats with a gradient as you describe, and they're beautiful. But the sad fact is that your crabs wont care and in time it will get all mixed up anyway. My tanks are always 80%+ sealed up, which traps and controls humidity. My sub is premixed to almost too wet. I mix up the moistest, sandcastle consistency possible, outside the tank, and throw it in (such hard work). That way if its overwet i can throw some dry sub to even it out before adding. Even with lamps, my sub would only dry at the surface. Heat and humidity not in direct light would remain controlled. It was best when the lamps pointed at the side of the tank, as straight down would always spot-dry my sub.
Generally anything labeled playsand should be fine, but there are sands out there that might have dyes or texturizing agents. I'm sure Utah has perfectly good sand, but stay away from "designer" playsand. Home depot or Lowes carry quikrete/sakrete playsand intended for sandboxes, found in the cement section, and this is what most people use.
I prefer hinged glass lids. They sell premade ones, but i will be modifying them to add ventilation and access for my tubes and cords, and also to make it able to prop open on itself (will document and post pics). I currently use LED strip light tape. It is stuck all around the top part of my tank, inside and just below the top rim. I love it, but i am also wishing it had a moonlight setting so i could stalk these nocturnal guys. My LED lights, though on a dimmer, sends all night crabs scattering. I had day and night bulbs on a timer, but the night bulb was red and, well, that plan failed.
Please share your moonglow experience, i am gearing up to get one but am most interested in how the crabs act with it on, and your face pressed up the side of the glass
i guess i'm hoping it acts like an invisibility cloak for me. :B
I'm considering putting up 2way mirrors so i can watch them without being seen.
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Thanks for the help guys i appreciate it.
