Large saltwater pool tips? And background

[Matt]

About a week ago I decided I would do a complete remodel of my crabitat because I have learned a lot in the last two years of keeping crabs. My main thing with this crabitat is to have a large saltwater pool. I looked through pictures and decided on building one similar to Curlz. I began working on it today and have the silicone drying now with an acrylic section put in. Do you guys have any tips for small in tank filter systems and other equipment. It's only about 2-3 gallons maybe. My tank is a 20 gallon long and I currently have two crabs, planning for four though. I will post pictures later or tomorrow. Also does anyone know how to build or where to buy a good functional background for my crabitat? Something that would look good and could be climb able?

[Matt]

Acrylic pieces drying with silicone. I will fill that acrylic chamber with sand.

[aussieJJDude]

Wow, it's looking good... I see that we are totally on the same wavelength, I've always thought if I was to do 2.0 on the pools i would do a back up chamber just in case!

Just to point out - I am sure you know already - that acrylic doesn't have the best "bonding" performance with silicone; the bond can break after a few months. If possible, I would re-do the pieces with glass for the extra piece of mind.
Also, SW pools like Curlz require time, patience, reading and a lot of background know on marine systems; no offence but most likely you're heading to a recipe for disaster. (As the post sounds like you have basic knowledge about marine systems; which is something that requires a skill!) If this is time, you're really going to be fighting an uphill battle; starting out with a 55g fish only marine aquarium would be something I would recommend before even thinking about corals... Or even nano/pico tanks - especially! If you want to go along with this; please for the crabs sake do some heavy reading on marine tanks!
Also be prepared to move the crabs on to a larger home, a 20g tank with a large SW pool will not house 4 crabs comfortably.
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Please don't get this idea that I am attacking you in any way; but by the sounds of the posts I get an impression that your rushing into things and skipping over the finer details.

[Matt]

I purchased a special acrylic silicone sealant that is mixed with a special adhesive for acrylic and glass. Also the sw pool only takes up about 1/4 -1/3 of the bottom, I will include climbing spaces above the pool area. I thought the number was 2 gallons per crab, (Mine are small to medium size) Thanks for the advice, I've done some marine reading but definitely will do more, right now I'm trying to find a way to make the ramp down less slick and more climb able? Also still searching for a usable background. Thanks

[Feralhound07]

You can use craft mesh (found at Walmart) on the ramp to make it less slick, or if you wanted a more natural look silicone pebbles/ crushed coral?( not sure if the coal will work but it's an idea) to the craft mesh before laying it on top of the ramp. That was its still removable for easy cleaning.

[Makena95GT]

As someone who keeps larger marine tanks, please don't try to shove any marine life into such a small and shallow pool. With the debris crabs drag in, fluctuating temps, and evaporation, you will end up with a lot of dead things in the water.

I would greatly advise starting a separate saltwater tank if you want life in your SW.

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