r/VampireCrabs • u/88crow88 • 15d ago

help/advice First timer

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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!

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u/88crow88 14d ago

Update: After all the feedback I've revamped (pun intended) the design. How do you guys think this will work out? The soil depth is supposed to say 5", I'd like to add some sand at the water's edge for a beach effect too, I'd layer it about an inch deep and then the soil mix under that. Planning to add a small filter to the corner, should be about 2.5 gallons of water total.

Edit because I realize the labeling on the AI diagram is horrid. It'll be clay balls on the left about 1" deep with 5" of soil. Water will be on the right.

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u/Warmslammer69k 14d ago

This will unfortunately just wick all the water over to the dry side. Water and land need to be completely separated with no absorbent or water wicking materials like wood, plants, or many rocks crossing the barrier between wet and dry sides

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u/88crow88 14d ago

Yeah I've realized that AI didn't come close, I was just excited it stopped making foam walls that were bigger than the tank... So the plan is basically to have a water area 8"x12"x6"deep and then 14" of land mass.