Okay, so I am wanting to build a paludarium for vampire crabs, and a couple other species to live in. Problem is, i have no idea where to start, what i need to buy, do i need a false bottom, and what kind of plants should I use?
I need ALL the help I can get!
Thanks!
I will be honest, I know NOTHINg about crabs! But I will tell you about palus!
Ok, first, I recommend a decent size tank (atleast 29g, maybe a 20H, something with height and length)
A false bottom is needed, for sure. I've seen paludariums set up 2 ways. Glass separators and a false bottom sloped or gravel silicone to weedblocker FB
Like always,
^^^^^^^^ - Leaf litter
^^^^^^^^ - Leaf litter
OOOOOOOOO - Substrate
OOOOOOOOO - Substrate
OOOOOOOOO - Substrate
OOOOOOOOO - Substrate
OOOOOOOOO - Substrate
------------- - Screen/weedblocker
ooooooooooo - False bottom
ooooooooooo - False bottom
___________ - Glass aquarium bottom
I'd use stronger plants for crabs, assuming they'll snap them up.
Sansevieria trifasciata is one of the strongest viv safe plants, often used for crested geckos and chameleons.
Some stronger bromelia, preferably NOT Neoregelia sp. Maybe Aechmea chantinii 'Dwarf Form', Aechmea nudicaulis 'Wally Berg', but those do get larger than most neos but are some of the smaller, strong bromeliads.
Pothos is definitely an option, provides refuge and fills up fast. Ficus pumila too. Many more options but those are jsut a few.