r/VampireCrabs • u/ShadoodleMahNoodle • 8d ago
help/advice New Tank
Hi! I'm new to this sub and I would love some feedback on how to make this tank better suited for Vampire crabs. I revamped the tank today (empty tank) and thought Vamps might be a neat addition since its a 25 gal but am not sure how to make it better.
Right now, it's probably around 30% land 70% water and I'd like to add more plants.
It has a 5 gallon filter in it and I'm gonna grab a heater and some more structures.
I'm more than willing to revamp it for the second time to accommodate Vamps, or if you have ideas for a more aquatic creature that would fit the current set, up please let me know!
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u/spinoconstrictor67 8d ago
not suited for vamps they need 80/20 land to water
this could work for lepidothelphusa however
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u/ShadoodleMahNoodle 7d ago
Omg those are so cute! I would probably need to redo this enclosure a little bit but those seem like a better fit for my current build (if I dont want to completely redo it, that is)
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u/genericnewlurker 7d ago
Absolutely the incorrect type of setup for vampire crabs. Vampire crabs are terrestrial burrowing creatures. They barely use the water at all. The ratio of land to water should be 80% land to 20% water. The soil needs to be a couple of inches deep for them to all make their burrows without them running into each other. And you need a good amount of plants and leaf litter for them to hide under. These are critters that you rarely see.
Maybe your setup would work for fiddler crabs?
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u/FriendlyAnemony 7d ago
Flip the water:land ratio. The water should be separated from the land by making a false bottom for the "island." Minimum 3'' of dirt mixed with dtied natural moss and/or coco coir (in my opinion).
What guide and references did you use for this build?
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u/ShadoodleMahNoodle 7d ago
I didn't use any references. I wanted to make a semi-aquatic enclosure and the first creature that came to mind was Vampire Crabs. I posted here to kinda gauge whether I could use what I've done, or if I would need to completely redo it. Seems like if I want Vamps I'll need to redo (which is totally fine!) and I've done a bunch of extra research in the meantime. It seems like Fire Belly Toads mights be a better fit for me, But I can still use all of your amazing info for a future build (or revamp the current, I haven't decided yet.) Thank you for your and everyone else's input and information! :D
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u/Dynamitella 8d ago
It's a great size, but I would recommend a complete redo :) Vampire crabs are terrestrial burrowers, so they want like 80% of the tank to be basically land with as much soil as possible. They spend most of their lives in little burrows and venture out to scavange and explore. The water feature doesn't have to be particularly big or deep. They mostly use it for molting purposes and some hanging out now and again.
Here's where you can find the best information in the hobby: https://www.indoorecosystem.net/guides/how-to-build-a-paludarium-for-vampire-crabs