Evolution of a Crabitat

[Kleinerhejhog]

I have been hard at work on creating a new home for my new crabbies. Thanks to Kornchaser, I can now post photos, many to follow shortly. (I still have to figure out how to start a thread on Tapatalk, so in the meantime I just have to start my post in my regular web browser, lol...)

[Kleinerhejhog]

Here's what I found on Craigslist.



After much scrubbing.



In its new spot.



A fleet of false bottom feet.



Egg crate patched to fit.



Egg crate wrapped up in weed block.



Added a pull strap, as the fit is snug.



Plastic canvas pinch barrier sewn on.



Hole in the corner for evacuation tube.



A thread adapter and plug so no one can fall in.



And now I think I am ready for substrate.





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[CallaLily]

Looks great so far!

[Crabinski]

That's a fabulous tank! How many gallons is it and, in the case of all craigslist buys, I'm compelled to ask what you paid for it (asking prices for tanks vary so widely across the country).

[Asheka]

Looks awesome!

[Kleinerhejhog]

Thanks! I am enjoying the process, just wish stuff would stop getting in the way, like the neighbor needing to go to the doctor, one of my cats being sick (still trying to figure out which one!), a new reaction to one of my meds... sigh.

Crabinski, I paid $200, for which I got this 55 gallon tank with the stand, a 15 gallon turtle tank, a honking big tank filter that goes in the cabinet underneath, a hang on the back filter, a clamp fixture for a heat bulb, a power strip, several turtle climbing things I think I can use, a piece of slate that I probably can't use, two undergravel filters I may be able to use in my aquarium, a handful of tank cleaning paraphernalia, and a bunch of gravel. Oh, and a background, which will probably go on my currently naked aquarium.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Great deal

[Form]

I had a few pieces of slate from a used tank purchase too. I don't know the size/shape of yours, but mine turned out to be really handy. I used them as a flat, stable, non-molding surface to go between the substrate and wood items, to prevent the wood from sitting on the moist substrate and potentially molding.

All of my wood is perched on top of either slate, rocks, or large seashells and so far it seems to be working. You can hardly even tell its there, because the crabs eventually pile sand on top of it, but it still keeps most of it off the ground.

[Kleinerhejhog]

Hm. That is food for thought.

[Kleinerhejhog]

I've installed some corner guard. Well, maybe more than some, I used all eight feet.



A 5 gallon tank makes a nice eco earth moistening vessel.



This is one 50 pound bag of sand, one eco earth brick, and almost two gallons of water total.




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[Kleinerhejhog]

Now I have a dilemma; I am second guessing my choice of heat source, and have to make a decision about that before I can put any more substrate in.


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[Kleinerhejhog]

Opted to order an Ultratherm. Mixed up another batch of substrate yesterday, it's waiting in a tote. Was trying to figure out what I was going to do until the uth arrives, looked around and realized my house has become a total wreck. Guess I have something to work on after all.

[soilentgringa]

:-0 I was going to buy that tank!!! LOL the people let me make arrangements to pick it up and when I called to come get it; they said it was gone! That happened with the 300 lbs of play sand I was picking up too. I am glad your crabs are going into a nice big tank!!!

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[Kleinerhejhog]

:-0 I was going to buy that tank!!! LOL the people let me make arrangements to pick it up and when I called to come get it; they said it was gone!

OMIGOSH! OOPS! The guy gave me no indication that anyone else was even interested! Sorry about that...

I wonder if they sold all of the tanks, they had three others besides the ones I got.

[soilentgringa]

I think it is hilarious, no worries.

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