Post by Sach-Crabministrator on Oct 23, 2010 10:38:48 GMT -5
This question was recently brought to my attention and I was kinda surprised we had yet to bring it up here.
Having live plants in the tank would certainly be a natural source of humidity, as well as entertaining for your crabs. However there are small problems with this.
First and foremost, you can't just plant them in the tank for 2 main reasons. One, in the wild, crabs bury under plants' roots for stability and in a tank that would topple and possibly kill your plant. Two, the substrate in the tank, while it is perfect for crabbies is not good for most plants. There is not enough nutrients in the sand (or sand/coir mix) to support most plants. Also, you couldn't effectively water the plant without risking flooding or drowning to nearby crabs (since plants need water near their roots).
So here is what I would suggest to anyone trying to have live plants in their crabitat (and what I plan on doing myself). Once you have found a plant that is both safe for the crabs and hardy enough to hold up to their shenanigans, plant it in a small pot (plastic or clay would be my suggestion) that does not have drainage holes in the bottom. Put (uncooked) rice or small stones in the bottom of the pot (under your potting soil). This will allow your plant to drain if it needs to without the water getting into your substrate. It also allows it to retain water if it needs to.
Now, because most of us don't have monster tanks, we would need to use a fairly small plant and a fairly small pot. I say, find a small plastic lid (or even one of those plastic drain trays they have at garden centers) that is the same size as, or slightly smaller in diameter than the top of your pot. Starting at one side, cut a slit in this lid, going toward center, where you will need a hole slightly bigger around than the "trunk" of your plant. Think "lollipop", that kind of shape. You will put this around your plant and resting down into the pot, creating a "lid" over the soil in the pot-something important since potting soil may not be good for your crabs. The hole gives you a way to water the plant. You could likely accomplish the same thing with a piece of screen, but it would need to be small mesh. Now if you can find a plant that will grow in straight worm castings, you wouldn't need to worry about the lid, though they might trash the pot and harm the plant that way.
If your lid piece is slightly bigger than your pot, I would recommend either securing it to the pot with aquarium sealant, or keeping an eye on it as often as possible, so the crabs don't get into the pot itself.
Now, you can bury the pot in your sub, up to the rim, or as shallowly as you want.
As far as I can figure, this will totally work. Like I said, this is what I plan to do for mine in the future.
If anyone spots any "flaws" in my plan, has any questions or has another idea of how to improve upon it, feel free to share.
Having live plants in the tank would certainly be a natural source of humidity, as well as entertaining for your crabs. However there are small problems with this.
First and foremost, you can't just plant them in the tank for 2 main reasons. One, in the wild, crabs bury under plants' roots for stability and in a tank that would topple and possibly kill your plant. Two, the substrate in the tank, while it is perfect for crabbies is not good for most plants. There is not enough nutrients in the sand (or sand/coir mix) to support most plants. Also, you couldn't effectively water the plant without risking flooding or drowning to nearby crabs (since plants need water near their roots).
So here is what I would suggest to anyone trying to have live plants in their crabitat (and what I plan on doing myself). Once you have found a plant that is both safe for the crabs and hardy enough to hold up to their shenanigans, plant it in a small pot (plastic or clay would be my suggestion) that does not have drainage holes in the bottom. Put (uncooked) rice or small stones in the bottom of the pot (under your potting soil). This will allow your plant to drain if it needs to without the water getting into your substrate. It also allows it to retain water if it needs to.
Now, because most of us don't have monster tanks, we would need to use a fairly small plant and a fairly small pot. I say, find a small plastic lid (or even one of those plastic drain trays they have at garden centers) that is the same size as, or slightly smaller in diameter than the top of your pot. Starting at one side, cut a slit in this lid, going toward center, where you will need a hole slightly bigger around than the "trunk" of your plant. Think "lollipop", that kind of shape. You will put this around your plant and resting down into the pot, creating a "lid" over the soil in the pot-something important since potting soil may not be good for your crabs. The hole gives you a way to water the plant. You could likely accomplish the same thing with a piece of screen, but it would need to be small mesh. Now if you can find a plant that will grow in straight worm castings, you wouldn't need to worry about the lid, though they might trash the pot and harm the plant that way.
If your lid piece is slightly bigger than your pot, I would recommend either securing it to the pot with aquarium sealant, or keeping an eye on it as often as possible, so the crabs don't get into the pot itself.
Now, you can bury the pot in your sub, up to the rim, or as shallowly as you want.
As far as I can figure, this will totally work. Like I said, this is what I plan to do for mine in the future.
If anyone spots any "flaws" in my plan, has any questions or has another idea of how to improve upon it, feel free to share.