(skip this to the pics if you want the good stuff!)As many of you know, I have a very long term temporary tote setup housing my crabs. While I was going down the path of custom built tank, the uncertainty of the total cost (I estimated close to $1000 to get the basics of a wooden vivarium done) I decided for the time being, on a part timer uni student budget I'll stick with store brought.
My only requirments:
- its wide and tall (ideally 60cm/2ft min, but 45cm/1.5ft is ok)
- front opening access!
- Potentually allow a multi tank setup.
While I initially looked at exo terra and other reptile tanks, I quickly dismissed them due to not being wide enough. While the CADE terrariums were nice, their $1000 plus pricetag that included things I didn't need like filter input/output, misting system and everything but the kitchen sink made the overall investment not worthwhile.
I then looked at aquariums. A 80cm (little less than 3ft) cube tank came up for sale which I was thinking of purchasing however the thick glass made it heavy - very hard to get into my room and car - not to mention was missing the bracing system. Other than that, no good deals.
Except for ebay. So as you can guess, I am a proud owner of a exo terra terrarium!
Backstory done!
To rehash for those that skipped - shame on you! - I purchased a exo terra terrarium. It's size is the Large Tall, which total dimensions is 3ft long x 1.5ft wide and 2ft tall. Good enough for me to be happy!
The first thing I have to do is get it on a stand. But not any stand, a low one in order to fit under my windows which I currently dont use a quarter of my room for. I still trying to hash out some ideas, but the stand has to be a max of 20cm/8 inches tall, anything taller and it makes it hard to open the window, especially if i do decide to get a second tank and connect the two.
Other than that, I am still trying to decide if I just want to set it up as quickly as possible and then go back and set it up properly - with all my bells and whistles - or just do it right in the first place, and the crabs can wait in the tote for a few weeks... Dunno what to do, I'm leaning towards the first option, since I want to see their cute little faces... and also, I really want to dismantle those totes!
But of course, minor mod work is needed - like the front, otherwise the substrate is going to be a little shallow... i still debating if I go glass or just use plexi - or use what i used last time... options? Im thinking glass tbh, it looks a lot nicer personally and my local fish store has loads of sizes to choose from so it shouldn't be too hard finding the right fit IMO.
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