Crabitat - Decorating 2.0

[Asheka]

One of the huts is natural. I tried to get a second natural one, but the ceramic one is all they had. I'd love to get lava rock, but it doesn't seem to be something that's sold here. I will have more climbing areas once the second level goes up though.

[NeatHedgehog]

ahh, cool. I thought one looked a bit different.

You know, I've noticed a lack of lava rock in local aquarium shops compared to when we set up a freshwater tank years ago. Used to be pretty much everywhere. Some people thought it was dangerous to fish because it was "sharp" (I guess if they got jammed against it somehow it would be a problem) but crabs seem to love it. Now everybody just carries ceramic / plastic stuff.

Still available in good sized chunks online, though (amazon, other places, etc).

[Asheka]

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out

[Asheka]

One part of the lid is done!



I just put a small line of silicone around the Exo-Terra (where the screen snapped in) and have the frame on it, and under a medium cork board with several hard cover books and one of the 2.5G tanks (water still in as I haven't had a chance to empty them and put them away) for the next 24hrs. Tomorrow evening I'm going to very carefully flip it over and really just coat the outside attaching areas and the plexiglass itself to help stabilize some of the parts that cracked a bit while cutting.

[Asheka]

Alright, the UTH has been insulated with just some tinfoil for now. Hopefully it will do. If not, I'll be adding a coroplastsheet too. I hooked up the air rocks too, and of course - even with velcro strips - the plants will not stay up! I'm thinking of adding a bit of silicone to the velcro, so they can still be moved, but I'm not sure if the silicone will stick to the velcro?



I tossed a couple small strawberries in for the isopods last night too. They're happily hidden away somewhere heh

[Asheka]

So, I've added a second layer of insulation. Cardboard wrapped with tinfoil. I'm hoping it'll give me the 5° boost I'm lacking. My humidity seems to be fluctuating between 72% - 76%. Hopefully the addition of moss and the actual lid will help boost that.
I have also just finished adding the rest of the silicone. I mean that quite literally as well, I used pretty well the entire tube heh
Anywhoo, some pictures because I like to map the process, and of course have opinions along the way.

[Asheka]

So, not a lot of news as I've been working all week, but my Sisal rope came in today! I also found a nice shelf from the Dollarama that will be perfect for leading up to the second level. I'm going to get a second one as I thought this morning it would be good for a level over the pools, then I can have the shellshop and moss pit over it! So many ideas hahaha

[KellyCrabbieLove]

They WILL knock stuff into the water if there is a second level over it. Lol keep that in mind.

[Asheka]

Haha good to know. Maybe I'll try to make a high lip with the rope to help some heh

[fantasybookworm]

As I've had that rope longer, I'm starting to think it's best to have it on something that will be up off the substrate. I don't know if that will affect how you want to use it...but thought I'd pass along the warning. I've had some mold growing on the bottom of my rope sections that are touching or close to the sub, and a section that's resting on the water dish. I need to take it out to try & clean it, then rearrange it.

I'm enjoying watching your progress though! I hope your new thermometer works better & it turns out your temps are fine. You've inspired me to do a thread like this when I start setting up the two-tote crabitat I'm planning. I won't be starting it until next week since I'm going to be busy with my open house until Wednesday, but I hope to start a thread soon!

[Asheka]

Thank you very much! I will probably leave half of the legs of the shelves without rope then to try and avoid this.
I'm glad my ramblings are inspiring! I like to share with the experts here as much as possible, plus it's fun heh I have a blog (linked in my signature) that once I am done I will be doing a few posts with step by step stuff. After everything I've learned I want to share with everyone

[Asheka]

After 12hrs, we're at 90% humidity and 30°C! So stoked. Not sure what to do with the other gauges now, but guess they can be a back up or something...

[Asheka]

So, while getting things ready for going to my mom's this weekend, I tossed a moldy strawberry from the tat and added from "canned crickets" and decided to test out the Exo-Terra. It sits perfectly sturdy, though I am thinking of adding some velcro strips along the tank opening for some extra reassurance. Here's how she looks!

[hermitcrabdc]

That's really neat! How much more do you have to go?

[Asheka]

Just the velcro under the level, decorating it, and now I'm adding the two shelves I bought - once I get them wrapped in the rope. I do have a second set of shower caddies that I might try setting up in the Exo-Terra too, oh and hammocks. Really just little things. My fiance is also still trying to decide the best way to punch out the hole for the UVB light in the second half of the lid but it can be used without until then if needed.