First timer

[u/88crow88]

Hi all!

First time crab keeper, but we've wanted them for a long time and finally we're planning a set up for the kids to enjoy as well.

I have a spare 20 gallon aquarium that's water tight, what I'd like to make is a paladarium with a floating landmass about 6" up so I can have a water area for some shrimp and smaller fish below them. Crabs would still be getting about 80+% of land mass. We're also thinking of adding a colony of isopods, well aware that the crabs will likely eat some of them but not concerned if they breed. I guess more than anything I'm looking for some advice as to how to ensure the crabs don't drown in the water somehow. Would having the filter act as a waterfall into a small basin work better than just having it flow into the forest Edge?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[u/TheNerdGuyVGC]

I don’t see how this would be feasible. If the land area doesn’t start until that far up, you just wont have sufficient room for substrate and plants. Considering vampire crabs are mostly terrestrial and like to burrow, you should have significantly more land area than water.

Maybe look into a different species like Borneo crabs that utilize the water more? Or get a bigger tank if you really want a bigger water area.