Progress of Vampire Crab tank setup with DIY Background

[maximus]

Recently I brought a few Vampire Crabs and I realised they need more land than I can provide. So I decided to create addition climbing space by using terra-cotta clay.

DIY a water feature with clay first and think about other later.
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Small reservoir created on the top for over flowing and some holes for water hose.
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Added a background wall water feature for moss.
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After firing clay at 1200 degrees overnight, colour is much more lighter than I expected. Image after water test with hose attached at the back.
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Water hose attached to the back of background wall. I make low to prevent crabs escaping. Maybe a bit too small...
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After putting the 2 items in the tank. The crabs are happily climbing and claiming new territory.

He is the king of the hill, big and mean to his all tank mates.
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Background provide hiding space and climbing space.
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Comments are most welcome

[AhVy]

Oh wow nice work. I love the last photo especially. How did you get the moss to 'stick'?



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[fisherw]

Very nice. Where do you get the clay and how and where do you fire it? Can firing be done easily at home in an oven toaster or does it require very much higher heat?

Would also be interested in progress reports particularly problems and how you might do it differently.

[maximus]

Oh wow nice work. I love the last photo especially. How did you get the moss to 'stick'?



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I created a few small holes on rough surface of the clay.
Bought Christmas moss in small sheet format, smaller A4 size. Tear them up into a few pieces and "stitch" them on the background using fishing line.

[maximus]

Very nice. Where do you get the clay and how and where do you fire it? Can firing be done easily at home in an oven toaster or does it require very much higher heat?

Would also be interested in progress reports particularly problems and how you might do it differently.

Have to be done in a kiln, same as pottery making. The 2 pieces have been fired 2 times, 900 degrees, cool down and modified a bit for the hose to fit in.
Finally fire another 1200 degrees to finish off the work.
So far the crabs and fish are doing fine, I will add some shrimp later. Since they came out fresh from the "oven" I don't have to worried about any contamination.

I am planning to create a different and darker version. Maybe black will be nice.