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Imported with permission from https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsacrabthing. If you use Facebook I encourage you to join the group!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Katherine T on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 8:27pm
A false bottom is a raised drainage platform underneath the substrate with an access tube that is usually the height of the tank.
The false bottom is a safeguard in the event of flooding in the tank. You can see the water accumulating on the bottom of the tank and siphon it out by inserting a length of air tubing (or something similar) through the access tube. It does not prevent flooding, but it gives you a way to see it before harm is done.
Click on the following links for a photo tutorial for creating a false bottom.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KjF0KTSAw2R-qvv1-UBK4sX1FxTf0jlWxjJFM__Q2sY/edit?usp=docslist_api
Flooding can be caused by leaks in the pools, over misting (usually because of faulty readings on analog gauges) and humidifiers or foggers (either homemade or the ones designed for use in tanks).
This is reposted from Hermit Crab Association and credit is given to ebonsong. Minor edits have been made by Katherine Trammel as for clarification or as notes.
Supplies Needed (can all be found at hardware stores except for the embroidery mesh):
- Egg crate aka ceiling tiles big enough to cover the bottom plus a little extra.
- Weed block material, enough to cover the bottom of the tank plus extra on the sides. Note: You may want to get the plastic material. After a while, the organic sheets will break down.
- Thick plastic pipe at least 1/2 inch across (big enough to thread aquarium tubing through) the height of your false bottom plus tall enough to reach through the false bottom to 2 inches above your substrate line. If you're going to use a manual siphon, you need PVC 1 inch across.
- A plastic 'cap' for the pipe (to plug it when not in use).
- A few feet of aquarium tubing - about 10' long OR a manual aquarium siphon (found online or in fish stores).
- Sheet(s) of plastic embroidery mesh (commonly found at craft stores). Must overlap the area of the bottom of the tank.
- Silicone, plastic ties & or crab safe glues. -PVC pieces for supports (these can be purchased in bulk bags, I recommend the 1 inch wide ones)
Basic directions:
1)Start with a clean, empty tank.
2)Make a false bottom 1" deep from plastic egg crate on top of PVC supports.
3) Add weed block over top, having it reach down the sides & glued/tied snugly on.
4) Add the plastic embroidery mesh on top of that to stop the pinchers from ripping the cloth. Fasten it all tight so it can't be pulled up.
5) Add the pipe/tube in the back of the tank (out of sight) so it reaches down to the bottom. Fasten it tight so the crabs can't rip it out or jostle it till it falls out.
6) Plug the top w/ the cap when not in use. Keep the long tubing or aquarium siphon for cleaning.
Cleaning: If you think your bottom is starting to fill up with water, un-cap the pipe & put the tubing into the larger plastic tube. Siphon up all the excess water into a nearby tub (Hence why the tube is so long. You can go shorter if it works better.) BONUS: If you can get the bottom of your tank pre-drilled for one drainage hole this means you can skip the tube step & have a screw down drainage for ease of draining w/o bugging the crabs - provided your tank is on a stand &/or has an access area on the bottom. Make sure to take your tank to a glass company to be drilled or check beforehand if the glass is drillable.
7) Add substrate!
Original post: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/blog.php?u=23550&b=558, edits by Katherine T.