So exciting to see crabs getting popular and paludariums to support them!!! Crabbies all over are gonna be so happy in these accurate environment set ups! No more full aquariums for crabs
Thanks for watching! I enjoy keeping crabs they are quirky low maintenance critters and they all have weird little personalities. I hope videos like this inspire people to have a go at making a really comfortable home for their crabs and other animals. It makes keeping them so much more interesting!
Thanks for the feedback! Really appreciate it! I had around 4 hours or more of footage, so tried to squeeze as much in as I could so that I didn't miss anything important whilst not dragging it out too long! 40 mins seemed scary 😅 Thankfully RUclips has chapters now which make things so much easier for viewers!
You are extremely patient. I probably would've just turned the bucket upside down and dumped them all in 😬. Great job, and thanks for your thoroughness.
Thanks :) my lens adapter came so I finally got the chance to use my wide angle which helps get more into the frame. I still need to work on stability rather than using software stabilising which sometimes adds a wobble. But it also looks a little 3d with the wobble... I hope it grows in faster than they eat everything! I saw one walking around today carrying a clump of moss around... Super funny to see.
Amazingly beautiful. I'm also trying to figure out how you added the tracks for the glass panels? I am making something similar and I'm struggling with that. Any recommendations will be most appreciated 😊❤
That's something I have no clue about unfortunately as I had a local guy put this tank together for me. I'm sure there's a video somewhere on RUclips show the process though. But finding it might be tricky search is pretty average these days.
Amazing!! Would you know if the tile grout/cement is optional or a step that is a must? I’m planning on using foam spray and not coating it with cement if I don’t have to. Thank you
You have to cover the foam with something either cement or silicone and coconut fibre. But Honestly I wouldn't make a spray for build again. It works well but it doesn't feel natural knowing your tank is mostly plastic.
Beautiful! They're going to be so happy in such a lush and spooky paradise. Amazing job; almost gives me the old MDTanks vibes, back before he shilled for local shops and had passion for the hobby rather than just the money 🤭Well earned sub from me!
Wow, thanks for the massive compliment! I was trying to channel my inner "Cinescaper" in a few parts here. I like the atmosphere he brings in videos, though I have watched a lot of MD over the years so it probably rubbed off on me as well 😆I do agree with your thoughts too. I'm really looking forward to this tank growing in! I'm sure there are going to be some challenges but that's part of the charm in a way.
I've watched MD from the beginning, he has changed over the years but I don't think he's all about money. He seems to still have passion to me. To each their own
Thanks! That's pretty much the perfect size to start with! The bigger you go the more expensive it is to fill with plants 😅 you'll have to share some pics of the finished build sometime.
Most of these plants are new for me this time around. With the exception of the ferns (which i know they won't eat). So far they seem to really like hiding under the "Helexine Green". They love eating moss as well, that's one thing I know they eat a lot so I'm hoping it grows faster than they eat it but it's easily replaced if I need to. The song is called Black Knight "121105" is the code for it. I found it on Pixabay. I like it as well, it has an 80's 90's vibe to it.
Thanks It will be hard for me to match moving forward! So I've gone with a few more naturalistic type builds for a while! I'll try to top this at some stage! It''s hard to do without using foam. I am trying to be more environmentally conscious with builds now.
This is really random to be honest. I have a countless number of crabs in here and I never see a ton of them all at once. I think the most I've ever seen out at one time was 12. But there is always a couple crawling around somewhere or hanging off of something Once it's dark and I'm running the night lights I will see more of them out and about though. Especially if i've just changed the water or added some food. That usually perks them up.
😁Thanks! Unless you are using the pots molded into the background method, I think the best plants for coconut fiber are any of the climbers. Things like Ivy, creeping figs, Scindapsus pictus, Ficus pumila, anything like that which will grip well.
Hello ! First of all, thanks for all the sharing and work behind it. I just have one small question: How has the foam and cement barrier aged? No cracks? Has it stayed strong over time? I'm redoing my palludarium and I'm brainstorming on what method to use for the waterfall... I was thinking of making it out of pu foam and covering the whole thing with cement... But I want to be sure! Thanks in advance!
I kept it for 18 months then pulled it apart and made a new design. There weren't any issues with it though. Personally I wouldn't use foam again. It kinda kills the vibe of the ecosystem knowing it's all plastic and artificial. I would go a more natural option like cork boards or real rocks if you are still in the research phase. That's just my personal opinion on how the process has changed my POV though. But from build point of view foam and cement worked pretty flawlessly.
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you for your quick reply, which was very helpful! I have a large waterfall to make and foam is the best way for me but I had to be sure that the cement wouldn't crack. I want a very natural look so I'm just going to work the cement a bit more to push the detail by sculpting it and adding pigments. I'm inspired by this video and find the result very convincing: ruclips.net/video/X4wH62vwmRs/видео.htmlsi=ItxD6g4dESToBXDl Thanks again!
@@malcompaur3903 Perfect example! That's quite a few layer by the looks. When you make your mix make sure it's quite thick to so it holds for while you work it. If it's too runny it will be a disaster.
Great tank! I am doing a ton of research to get these little guys my mom has a spare tank, 18 gallon 24x15x12, I will be doing a similar setup like yours, doing the water in the front for maximum space. Is starting with two females ok?
Sounds pretty awesome! Drop a pic sometime! I love seeing people tanks! Two females is a great start, they are way less aggressive and super chill so you can't go wrong!
Thank you very much! I really appreciate the feedback! The worst part was waiting for the tank to get made. It took nearly 7 weeks. I was getting a little nervous as the crabs were starting to get quite big and the small tank was already way too overpopulated. But it did give me plenty of time to collect the supplies and plan things out. I have to say there are so many channels on RUclips with good information and lessons learned which made this build much easier. As with everything research is key! I'm sure I'll have some follow-up videos with even more lessons!
It's a little SunSun. The exact model name is in the description. I use these little filters in all my crab tanks. They are tiny, super cheap and work really well. This one I had to cut an inch off the bottom of the canister though so it would fit exactly how I wanted it.
What kind of tile grout did you use? Can you tell me the name? I’ve heard that tile grouts have some chemicals mixed in to kill mould. Aren’t you affraid it affects crabs negatively?
Just standard tile grout. Not special bathroom stuff. It's basically just a cement. Didn't have any issues or deaths in this tank in the year I had it running. I just broke it down last wee for a new project. The biggest issue is cleaning the grout off the glass afterwards.
The long waited video :)). I watched this on bus before school, and yesterday before going to bed, it was like a movie; and the outro was better than every movie i have ever seen. But like allways i have a question: How did you clean the skull, and the branch with moss on it?
Wow! Thanks for the epic compliment! The outro was my favourite part as well. It's funny though after I put all those crabs in I went to film the outro footage the next day and there were only 3 crabs visible! What are the chances! The moss log and other branches I just put straight in from the forest floor no cleaning at all. Just let it sit for a day on the concrete so some of the spiders and stuff would crawl away. Any of the other creatures on there are welcome in the tank. Springtails and isopods are usually all over pieces like that. I've been using this method for a long while now and never encountered any issues. Mind you in Europe there aren't really any things to worry about. As for the skull I found it in the woods about 18 months ago. I picked it up and wedged it in a tree off the ground so the ants and everything would pick it clean and the sun would bleach it. Basically, it got a few seasons of natural weathering first. When I had the idea for this tank I went back and got it. After that, I gave it a quick dip in some hydrogen peroxide then left it outside on a bench in the garden for a few weeks. Then it sat around in my garage for ages. We'll see how it goes in this tank. It's just sitting there so if there are any problems I can take it out easily. I'll post updates if there are any issues with it! I have seen some other people using them on reddit in the past without issue though so i don't think there will be any problems.
I just grabbed the only one they had available. I don't believe there's much to worry about with them though they aren't treated with chemicals or anything. They are just a tightly woven material that only let's water through.
Great video mate. I'm planning a paludarium build and like the idea of vampire crabs in the future, not sure if they are available in Australia though. Easy sub, cheers.
Thank you! Sadly Vampire Crabs aren't available in Australia and I can't see them ever being allowed in because of the potential to become an invasive species really, really easily. They are escape artists and eventually would get into the wild. Seeing as they come from South East Asia they would be right at home in a lot of areas in Australia. There are a couple of native species that are similar though. They come from NT. I forget their names but they were being sold online at a fish fish retailers for a while. When i get back to Aus at some stage I'd love to give them a go. Cheers for the sub as well! I really appreciate it!
They are mostly small still and I'll be selling them out of here as orders some in. Interestingly I can look in this tank quite often and not see a single crab. They are all babies from two parents and there is a balance with them that I have noticed. If you have 3 or so crabs they will fight and kill each other. However if you have more they are socialand civil for the most part. It was interesting watching them grow up. I just sprinkle food throughout the tank once a day. Though it is a bio active enclosure so they have plenty of springtails isopods worms and other things to eat if they get hungry. Dried daphinia and nano fish granuels are their favourite foods though
I've never had the problem before. Mosquitos can't get into my house, plus the tank is closed and the vents have a mesh screen to keep the humidity up. It also prevents any bugs getting out. If you have a problem with Mosquitos larvae you will need to check your tank is sealed properly. Windows screen works well for gaps. Outside of that you can keep shrimp or fish in the water section but only if it is big enough. I would assume crabs would probably eat any mosquito larvae if the saw them though.
Man, this looks great. Love the build. I have an older ExoTerra I'm planning (for a couple of years now) to do for Vampire Crabs. I really want to keep them but it's nearly impossible to get them here.
Thank you :) They are really interesting little creatures shy to start but once they get used to things they roam around a fair bit. They are crazy good climbers too which most people don't take into account. Whereabouts roughly are you located?
@@HobbyScapesHQ What about this place? www.interaquaristik.de/tiere/krabben/geosesarma-vampirkrabben It's German they have a good selection and shipping across Europe but I'm not sure specifically about Ireland. They don't ship all that great but they would have a fair bit of experience with it.
8:00 - never done that because of fumes, but diluted epoxy resin with a pigment has been popular for decades. EDIT: The end-result is stunning nevertheless.
Diluted Epoxy is something that I haven't seen anywhere before but that does sound like a good idea. I might try it on a future build. This is my first time using this cement/tile mix as well so we will see. But I have seen quite a lot of people using it for builds now. Time will tell I guess. There will be plenty of updates if it all goes to hell in a hand bag!
Thanks! Sadly the method didn't work too well. The crabs ate it all before it took hold! 😅It would have worked if I left it a lot longer though. I ended up just wedging bigger peices of moss into the cracks until it took hold. That seemed to work. But for the process I just put a hand full of moss in with a handful fo aquasoil and blended it in the food processor. Just a couple of bursts so it didn't get too small. Then I just spread it on the entire surface lightly. You could use dirt instead of aquasoil as well though. Just don't add crabs or even isopods too early. Springtails would be fine though.
Not so far, all is well at the moment. but I was aware of this potentially being an issue so I made sure i rinsed it really well and soaked it for a few days prior to putting it in. Plus I've been doing water changes every day. Crabs like a high PH and hard water and you can usually spot when something is wrong with the water because they won't go in it. I've had more issues with tanins from the roots in the water than anything else but that's a natural thing and techniqually good for everything. Just looks a tad ugly.
Thank you! This was my favourite part to edit actually. My new lens adapter arrived so I could finally use my canon lenses so the quality is a fair bit better here. The song is called Ambient Landscape - Lexin Music. You can find it on Pixabay pretty easily.
@@garytorres1435 Some people add them if they live in a really hot environment. But I just manage humidity using the vents in my tank. I have a mesh strip that runs across the top of my tank and another that runs along the front to allow airflow. To increase humidity I cover the top vent a little more. To decrease it I open it a little more. If you are using an aquarium style tank you can just use a plastic lid with a mesh section added to it. then you can just open and close it depending on the amount of air exchange you want. Basically the more open the tank the lower humidity. The less open the higher. You can get humidity readers to check figures a little more closely but I generally gauge it based on how dried out my moss is. You get good at estimating after a while.
Can you put the tank heater inside Great Stuff spray foam for your crabs? I'm trying to make a waterfall build inside of a mountain down the middle, the water is divided by a 30 mesh with a different colored Neocaridina on each side (Red Rili and Blue Velvet) and I'm not sure where to place the heater that needs to be submerged in water...
Your build sounds pretty epic! I'd love to try a waterfall build some day but don't have enough vertical space. As for the heater you can put a normal aquatic one in the water section. That's what I normally do but this time I opted for a heat mat which is working really well so far. Depending on the heat mat you can also put them internally.
@IndoorEcosystem oh thank you so much for the compliment! I'm super new to this so I've been doing extensive research worrying over every little detail. Also for the heater placement, I'm worried about the water being warm for one half of the shrimp and not the other
@@Tunabreath2001 a little sponge filter on the opposite side to the heater would help circulate everything if you're worried. Or maybe a tiny filter. Don't stress to much about your build you're going to learn a ton of things long the way. I've already figured out a few things in mine. Teres a few plants these crab absolutely devour!! So I've had to replant already 😂
Just standard building foam. I couldn't find pond of aquarium foam here. The only downside is that it's almost always a stupid colour. But i hunted around and was lucky enough to get a light grey. A lot of them don't seem to show the colour on the can. Though which is annoying.
As far as I've seen everywhere they seem to be fine as long as you let them fully cure for a day or two. I wanted the black pond stuff but it doesn't exist anywhere here. I found one place selling it online but they wanted stupid amounts of money for a small can. I'm curious how long it lasts more than anything. It should essentially be very long lasting but we'll see i guess. Sun and UV are usually the biggest issues but in a tank its not a problem
Soak them in water for a little while to evict the major of critters. Then leave it sit out for a few hours. Usually most stuff has left after that. Then I got straight in. Not completely fool proof but good enough.
@@IndoorEcosystem I no special aditives or something like that to make it safe. So that works for you? I wondering about that beacouse of the moss on it.
@@danzicz1890 Nope, I don't do anything other than a soak. But like I said it's not 100% fool proof but so far I haven't had any dramas yet and I've been doing it for a solid few years now. You might have more stuff to worry about in other parts of the world though, like dangerous spiders etc but here in Europe it's safe.
Jucca. They have a massive selection tons and tons all year round. A little less in winter but still a lot. They just don't have many vines or creeping plants.
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you, I will take this into account when I create a large paludarium. In the meantime, I'm trying to make a small one. 35x35x35 cm. At this size, of course, there will be no additional empty sector
❤Geosesarma Vampire Crab Species Posters Now Available: www.etsy.com/shop/IndoorEcosystem
So exciting to see crabs getting popular and paludariums to support them!!! Crabbies all over are gonna be so happy in these accurate environment set ups! No more full aquariums for crabs
Thanks for watching! I enjoy keeping crabs they are quirky low maintenance critters and they all have weird little personalities. I hope videos like this inspire people to have a go at making a really comfortable home for their crabs and other animals. It makes keeping them so much more interesting!
Its great to have commentary the whole way through, but you also keep it very calm and low-key. I really enjoyed it
Thanks for the feedback! Really appreciate it!
I had around 4 hours or more of footage, so tried to squeeze as much in as I could so that I didn't miss anything important whilst not dragging it out too long! 40 mins seemed scary 😅
Thankfully RUclips has chapters now which make things so much easier for viewers!
Thanks for watching everyone!
Don't forget to Like and Subscribe!
If you've got questions! Don't be scared to ask!
I want vampire crabs 🦀 and form them a home by myself
You are extremely patient. I probably would've just turned the bucket upside down and dumped them all in 😬. Great job, and thanks for your thoroughness.
Cheers 😊 it was tempting to slide them all in!
Very nice! You made it appear much deeper than it actually is! I love all the moss too, hopefully it grows well
Thanks :) my lens adapter came so I finally got the chance to use my wide angle which helps get more into the frame. I still need to work on stability rather than using software stabilising which sometimes adds a wobble. But it also looks a little 3d with the wobble... I hope it grows in faster than they eat everything! I saw one walking around today carrying a clump of moss around... Super funny to see.
Amazingly beautiful. I'm also trying to figure out how you added the tracks for the glass panels? I am making something similar and I'm struggling with that. Any recommendations will be most appreciated 😊❤
That's something I have no clue about unfortunately as I had a local guy put this tank together for me. I'm sure there's a video somewhere on RUclips show the process though. But finding it might be tricky search is pretty average these days.
Amazing!! Would you know if the tile grout/cement is optional or a step that is a must? I’m planning on using foam spray and not coating it with cement if I don’t have to. Thank you
You have to cover the foam with something either cement or silicone and coconut fibre. But Honestly I wouldn't make a spray for build again. It works well but it doesn't feel natural knowing your tank is mostly plastic.
hello my friend, nice sharing, nice aquarium my friend
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by and checking it out!
@@IndoorEcosystem 🖐️
Beautiful! They're going to be so happy in such a lush and spooky paradise. Amazing job; almost gives me the old MDTanks vibes, back before he shilled for local shops and had passion for the hobby rather than just the money 🤭Well earned sub from me!
Wow, thanks for the massive compliment! I was trying to channel my inner "Cinescaper" in a few parts here. I like the atmosphere he brings in videos, though I have watched a lot of MD over the years so it probably rubbed off on me as well 😆I do agree with your thoughts too.
I'm really looking forward to this tank growing in! I'm sure there are going to be some challenges but that's part of the charm in a way.
I've watched MD from the beginning, he has changed over the years but I don't think he's all about money. He seems to still have passion to me. To each their own
Just got one terrarium 36x18x18 ill do it like this one. Very nice
Thanks! That's pretty much the perfect size to start with! The bigger you go the more expensive it is to fill with plants 😅 you'll have to share some pics of the finished build sometime.
Wow, great setup! 😍
Thanks! Have to keep the crab family happy after all. 😁
Are there any plants the crabs seem to prefer? Also which song was the one you used for the release of the crabs? It's great
Most of these plants are new for me this time around. With the exception of the ferns (which i know they won't eat). So far they seem to really like hiding under the "Helexine Green".
They love eating moss as well, that's one thing I know they eat a lot so I'm hoping it grows faster than they eat it but it's easily replaced if I need to.
The song is called Black Knight "121105" is the code for it. I found it on Pixabay. I like it as well, it has an 80's 90's vibe to it.
This is stunning!
Thanks It will be hard for me to match moving forward! So I've gone with a few more naturalistic type builds for a while! I'll try to top this at some stage! It''s hard to do without using foam. I am trying to be more environmentally conscious with builds now.
such an underrated channel. Do the crabs stay hidden during most of the day or will they come out if you have multiple.
This is really random to be honest.
I have a countless number of crabs in here and I never see a ton of them all at once. I think the most I've ever seen out at one time was 12.
But there is always a couple crawling around somewhere or hanging off of something Once it's dark and I'm running the night lights I will see more of them out and about though. Especially if i've just changed the water or added some food. That usually perks them up.
@@IndoorEcosystem yeah, thanks!
@@evolve508 You're very welcome 🙂
OMG new home for crab .from 🇮🇩
Thank you!! ☺
That looks great! You did a good job carving that foam.
Thanks ☺️ it's actually quite a relaxing process.
Crab pog
70/10 build! What terrestrial plants would you recommend for coconut fiber?
😁Thanks! Unless you are using the pots molded into the background method, I think the best plants for coconut fiber are any of the climbers. Things like Ivy, creeping figs, Scindapsus pictus, Ficus pumila, anything like that which will grip well.
It's very chic. Great job and presentation! I'm delighted😍 The crabs are very cute❤
Thank you ☺They are super interesting little pets to keep
Hello ! First of all, thanks for all the sharing and work behind it. I just have one small question: How has the foam and cement barrier aged? No cracks? Has it stayed strong over time?
I'm redoing my palludarium and I'm brainstorming on what method to use for the waterfall... I was thinking of making it out of pu foam and covering the whole thing with cement... But I want to be sure!
Thanks in advance!
I kept it for 18 months then pulled it apart and made a new design. There weren't any issues with it though.
Personally I wouldn't use foam again. It kinda kills the vibe of the ecosystem knowing it's all plastic and artificial. I would go a more natural option like cork boards or real rocks if you are still in the research phase. That's just my personal opinion on how the process has changed my POV though.
But from build point of view foam and cement worked pretty flawlessly.
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you for your quick reply, which was very helpful!
I have a large waterfall to make and foam is the best way for me but I had to be sure that the cement wouldn't crack. I want a very natural look so I'm just going to work the cement a bit more to push the detail by sculpting it and adding pigments.
I'm inspired by this video and find the result very convincing:
ruclips.net/video/X4wH62vwmRs/видео.htmlsi=ItxD6g4dESToBXDl
Thanks again!
@@malcompaur3903 Perfect example! That's quite a few layer by the looks. When you make your mix make sure it's quite thick to so it holds for while you work it. If it's too runny it will be a disaster.
Great tank! I am doing a ton of research to get these little guys my mom has a spare tank, 18 gallon 24x15x12, I will be doing a similar setup like yours, doing the water in the front for maximum space. Is starting with two females ok?
Sounds pretty awesome! Drop a pic sometime! I love seeing people tanks! Two females is a great start, they are way less aggressive and super chill so you can't go wrong!
@@IndoorEcosystem sounds perfect! Thanks
Awesome!!! Gives me ideas! Good work!!!
You're welcome 🙂I love building new tanks as well!
That was awesome to watch! Great build. 😊
Cheers 😊 it's almost time to redo this build. I have a few good ideas in the works for it.
Beautiful job sir. Man that must have taken a good while to plan and make.
Thank you very much!
I really appreciate the feedback!
The worst part was waiting for the tank to get made. It took nearly 7 weeks.
I was getting a little nervous as the crabs were starting to get quite big and the small tank was already way too overpopulated. But it did give me plenty of time to collect the supplies and plan things out.
I have to say there are so many channels on RUclips with good information and lessons learned which made this build much easier. As with everything research is key! I'm sure I'll have some follow-up videos with even more lessons!
Great build!
Thanks! I've got a new build in this tank dropping this weekend as well 😉👍 totally different but pretty awesome
Thanks for the video; the paludarium looks great. What is the plastic you used to form the foam and for the water/land divider?
We call it corflute in Australia and I have no idea what it's called in Poland 😂. I think it might be called corrigated plastic in the US.
What kind of filter is that? Has it been working well for you? Thank you!
It's a little SunSun.
The exact model name is in the description.
I use these little filters in all my crab tanks.
They are tiny, super cheap and work really well.
This one I had to cut an inch off the bottom of the canister though so it would fit exactly how I wanted it.
Great job and nice crabs!
Cheers! Let's hope they don't eat everything to fast!
What kind of tile grout did you use? Can you tell me the name? I’ve heard that tile grouts have some chemicals mixed in to kill mould. Aren’t you affraid it affects crabs negatively?
Just standard tile grout. Not special bathroom stuff. It's basically just a cement. Didn't have any issues or deaths in this tank in the year I had it running. I just broke it down last wee for a new project. The biggest issue is cleaning the grout off the glass afterwards.
The long waited video :)). I watched this on bus before school, and yesterday before going to bed, it was like a movie; and the outro was better than every movie i have ever seen. But like allways i have a question: How did you clean the skull, and the branch with moss on it?
Wow! Thanks for the epic compliment! The outro was my favourite part as well. It's funny though after I put all those crabs in I went to film the outro footage the next day and there were only 3 crabs visible! What are the chances!
The moss log and other branches I just put straight in from the forest floor no cleaning at all. Just let it sit for a day on the concrete so some of the spiders and stuff would crawl away. Any of the other creatures on there are welcome in the tank. Springtails and isopods are usually all over pieces like that.
I've been using this method for a long while now and never encountered any issues. Mind you in Europe there aren't really any things to worry about.
As for the skull I found it in the woods about 18 months ago. I picked it up and wedged it in a tree off the ground so the ants and everything would pick it clean and the sun would bleach it. Basically, it got a few seasons of natural weathering first. When I had the idea for this tank I went back and got it. After that, I gave it a quick dip in some hydrogen peroxide then left it outside on a bench in the garden for a few weeks. Then it sat around in my garage for ages.
We'll see how it goes in this tank. It's just sitting there so if there are any problems I can take it out easily. I'll post updates if there are any issues with it! I have seen some other people using them on reddit in the past without issue though so i don't think there will be any problems.
Love video!! Im from Poland and I have noticed plants you got are with stickers form our country (pl currency and writings) . How come :)?
Because I am in Poland as well 😉
Yucca has the best plants!
What type of weed blocker did you use?and how can I tell if it’s safe or not?im currently sick just wanna know for when I get better
I just grabbed the only one they had available. I don't believe there's much to worry about with them though they aren't treated with chemicals or anything. They are just a tightly woven material that only let's water through.
@@IndoorEcosystem ok,thanks
Great video mate. I'm planning a paludarium build and like the idea of vampire crabs in the future, not sure if they are available in Australia though.
Easy sub, cheers.
Thank you! Sadly Vampire Crabs aren't available in Australia and I can't see them ever being allowed in because of the potential to become an invasive species really, really easily. They are escape artists and eventually would get into the wild. Seeing as they come from South East Asia they would be right at home in a lot of areas in Australia.
There are a couple of native species that are similar though. They come from NT. I forget their names but they were being sold online at a fish fish retailers for a while.
When i get back to Aus at some stage I'd love to give them a go.
Cheers for the sub as well! I really appreciate it!
What are you feeding them? 50 in that small tank? Do you feed them in a dish or just place food throughout?
They are mostly small still and I'll be selling them out of here as orders some in. Interestingly I can look in this tank quite often and not see a single crab.
They are all babies from two parents and there is a balance with them that I have noticed. If you have 3 or so crabs they will fight and kill each other. However if you have more they are socialand civil for the most part. It was interesting watching them grow up.
I just sprinkle food throughout the tank once a day. Though it is a bio active enclosure so they have plenty of springtails isopods worms and other things to eat if they get hungry. Dried daphinia and nano fish granuels are their favourite foods though
How do you prevent moquito larvae? With the slow current water i assume the larvae easily can breed. Any idea?
I've never had the problem before. Mosquitos can't get into my house, plus the tank is closed and the vents have a mesh screen to keep the humidity up. It also prevents any bugs getting out. If you have a problem with Mosquitos larvae you will need to check your tank is sealed properly. Windows screen works well for gaps.
Outside of that you can keep shrimp or fish in the water section but only if it is big enough. I would assume crabs would probably eat any mosquito larvae if the saw them though.
Man, this looks great. Love the build. I have an older ExoTerra I'm planning (for a couple of years now) to do for Vampire Crabs. I really want to keep them but it's nearly impossible to get them here.
Thank you :) They are really interesting little creatures shy to start but once they get used to things they roam around a fair bit. They are crazy good climbers too which most people don't take into account. Whereabouts roughly are you located?
@Indoor Ecosystems I'm in Ireland, I couldn't find any here or anyone in Europe that would ship them here 🤷🏻♂️
@@HobbyScapesHQ What about this place? www.interaquaristik.de/tiere/krabben/geosesarma-vampirkrabben
It's German they have a good selection and shipping across Europe but I'm not sure specifically about Ireland. They don't ship all that great but they would have a fair bit of experience with it.
@@IndoorEcosystem I will definitely check them out. Thank you 👌
8:00 - never done that because of fumes, but diluted epoxy resin with a pigment has been popular for decades.
EDIT: The end-result is stunning nevertheless.
Diluted Epoxy is something that I haven't seen anywhere before but that does sound like a good idea. I might try it on a future build.
This is my first time using this cement/tile mix as well so we will see. But I have seen quite a lot of people using it for builds now. Time will tell I guess. There will be plenty of updates if it all goes to hell in a hand bag!
Hi love your video can you tell me more about the blending of the moss what you added to it and have you got pictures of it growing cheers
Thanks! Sadly the method didn't work too well. The crabs ate it all before it took hold! 😅It would have worked if I left it a lot longer though.
I ended up just wedging bigger peices of moss into the cracks until it took hold. That seemed to work.
But for the process I just put a hand full of moss in with a handful fo aquasoil and blended it in the food processor. Just a couple of bursts so it didn't get too small. Then I just spread it on the entire surface lightly. You could use dirt instead of aquasoil as well though.
Just don't add crabs or even isopods too early. Springtails would be fine though.
Have you had any issues with the tile grout / cement spiking your pH in the water?
Not so far, all is well at the moment. but I was aware of this potentially being an issue so I made sure i rinsed it really well and soaked it for a few days prior to putting it in. Plus I've been doing water changes every day.
Crabs like a high PH and hard water and you can usually spot when something is wrong with the water because they won't go in it.
I've had more issues with tanins from the roots in the water than anything else but that's a natural thing and techniqually good for everything. Just looks a tad ugly.
Nice video man! Just wondering what song is that in the intro?
Thank you 🙂The song is: Cinematic Dramatic - AleXZavesa I grabbed it from Pixabay.
What kind of plants did you have on that small tank?
A drawf banana, an asparagus fern and some small peace lilly sadly all too big for a 6g but all i had around
very nice
Cheers 😊
36:03 I really like this segment, very cinematic. Well done. Can you please tell me the name of the song?
Thank you! This was my favourite part to edit actually. My new lens adapter arrived so I could finally use my canon lenses so the quality is a fair bit better here.
The song is called Ambient Landscape - Lexin Music.
You can find it on Pixabay pretty easily.
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you, and good job on the build, too. Very impressive
@@MrPattioyo You're very welcome 😊 thanks for stopping by and checking it out
Do you use any mist spray system to keep the humidity up ?
I manually spray the tank every 2 or 3 days with the light and ventilation configured the humidity stays nice and high
So you have some fans added also?
@@garytorres1435 Some people add them if they live in a really hot environment. But I just manage humidity using the vents in my tank. I have a mesh strip that runs across the top of my tank and another that runs along the front to allow airflow.
To increase humidity I cover the top vent a little more. To decrease it I open it a little more.
If you are using an aquarium style tank you can just use a plastic lid with a mesh section added to it. then you can just open and close it depending on the amount of air exchange you want.
Basically the more open the tank the lower humidity. The less open the higher. You can get humidity readers to check figures a little more closely but I generally gauge it based on how dried out my moss is. You get good at estimating after a while.
Can you put the tank heater inside Great Stuff spray foam for your crabs? I'm trying to make a waterfall build inside of a mountain down the middle, the water is divided by a 30 mesh with a different colored Neocaridina on each side (Red Rili and Blue Velvet) and I'm not sure where to place the heater that needs to be submerged in water...
Your build sounds pretty epic! I'd love to try a waterfall build some day but don't have enough vertical space. As for the heater you can put a normal aquatic one in the water section. That's what I normally do but this time I opted for a heat mat which is working really well so far. Depending on the heat mat you can also put them internally.
@IndoorEcosystem oh thank you so much for the compliment! I'm super new to this so I've been doing extensive research worrying over every little detail. Also for the heater placement, I'm worried about the water being warm for one half of the shrimp and not the other
@@Tunabreath2001 a little sponge filter on the opposite side to the heater would help circulate everything if you're worried. Or maybe a tiny filter. Don't stress to much about your build you're going to learn a ton of things long the way. I've already figured out a few things in mine. Teres a few plants these crab absolutely devour!! So I've had to replant already 😂
What kind of foam did you use for the background?
Just standard building foam. I couldn't find pond of aquarium foam here. The only downside is that it's almost always a stupid colour. But i hunted around and was lucky enough to get a light grey. A lot of them don't seem to show the colour on the can. Though which is annoying.
Nice😍
Is it safe to use any kind of expanding foam?
As far as I've seen everywhere they seem to be fine as long as you let them fully cure for a day or two. I wanted the black pond stuff but it doesn't exist anywhere here. I found one place selling it online but they wanted stupid amounts of money for a small can.
I'm curious how long it lasts more than anything. It should essentially be very long lasting but we'll see i guess. Sun and UV are usually the biggest issues but in a tank its not a problem
How do you prepare those things from the forest ?
Soak them in water for a little while to evict the major of critters. Then leave it sit out for a few hours. Usually most stuff has left after that. Then I got straight in. Not completely fool proof but good enough.
@@IndoorEcosystem I no special aditives or something like that to make it safe. So that works for you? I wondering about that beacouse of the moss on it.
@@danzicz1890 Nope, I don't do anything other than a soak. But like I said it's not 100% fool proof but so far I haven't had any dramas yet and I've been doing it for a solid few years now.
You might have more stuff to worry about in other parts of the world though, like dangerous spiders etc but here in Europe it's safe.
@@IndoorEcosystem good to know thank you.
@@danzicz1890 No problem 🙂
Has anyone used a 45x45x45 exto terra for vampire crabs my reptile guy said it’s suitable for keeping a few crabs
I've never used one but it would work fine 3 crabs 1 male 2 female would be ideal.
We’re did you get the crabs from
My local fish store. I started with 4 and bred them. You can buy them online quite often though they don't ship all that well.
O love your videos
Wish you listed the plants on the description tho!
Thanks! You're right about the plants list! I've added the list to the description for you 🙂
@@IndoorEcosystem thank you! Excited to see the next project!
What do you use to seperate the land from water
@@eastonjames1023 I show it all in the video.
Where in Poland did you buy all those plants?
Jucca. They have a massive selection tons and tons all year round. A little less in winter but still a lot. They just don't have many vines or creeping plants.
@@IndoorEcosystem is it online shop or stationary?
@@perun6401 A stationary store. They are quite common there's 2 in my city.
mine also multiplied, and i tought they know they are brothers and dont fight like their fathers
Have you noticed the next generation are less shy as well. Mine don't seem to care when I have my hands in the tank and are out more during the day.
I still haven't fully understood what the empty section in the front of the paludarium is for. Please explain
It's for airflow, It allows cooler air to be pulled in from the bottom and exhausted out the top. It helps reduce condensation on the glass.
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you. And at first I thought that it was done so that the crabs would not run away)))
@@Andrew_M784I wasn't 100% sure about it when I first got the tank but it works pretty well!
@@IndoorEcosystem Thank you, I will take this into account when I create a large paludarium. In the meantime, I'm trying to make a small one. 35x35x35 cm. At this size, of course, there will be no additional empty sector
What kind of plastic was used?
The black stuff? Corflute or corrugated plastic.
I’m doing one this size
@@shanekew6770 this size is great fun to work in and makes for a lot of space for the crabs 😉👍
@@IndoorEcosystem it looks hard to do lol
@@shanekew6770 I have a few easier builds in this tank you can check out.
i want to be your crab
Free rent and food and plenty of homes to choose from 😉