Questiin about Substrate

Right now I have two pandinus imp. In a 10g setup. Im looking to expand into a 36x18x18 40g breeder and add a few more emps.

I looking at using a false bed with gravel and the pipe.

My scorpions burrow like ants. Ive got two tunnles spanning the width of the tank going to the very bottom (3.5" deep).

Would the moisture and gravel become problematic with their burrowing habits?

You can control the amount of moisture that wicks up into the substrate by limiting the amount of water you add to the gravel layer. You can also place a piece of aluminum window screen between the gravel and the substrate to prevent your scorps from burrowing into the gravel and pulling it up into their tunnels. Make sure the screen extends all the way to the sides of the enclosure to prevent the scorps from getting trapped under it.

shebeen wrote:

You can control the amount of moisture that wicks up into the substrate by limiting the amount of water you add to the gravel layer. You can also place a piece of aluminum window screen between the gravel and the substrate to prevent your scorps from burrowing into the gravel and pulling it up into their tunnels. Make sure the screen extends all the way to the sides of the enclosure to prevent the scorps from getting trapped under it.

+1, and no sharp edges!

Thank you. I like the screen idea. But screen normally has sharp edges by itself. And i dont know if wood is a good idea because the wood will rot in the moisture of tje gravel. And im weary of putting treated wood in the terrarium. Hase anuone used screen in the manor that shebeen suggested with success?

Looked around and did a search for "false bottom" the search function works very well if you need an answer and no one is online to get back right away.

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You can eliminate the sharp edges by cutting the screen 1 inch larger than needed and folding the edges over to create a 1/2 inch hem around the periphery. A large straight edge can help getting the folds started and you can secure them in place with small wire ties (tie wraps). You can also use lengths of masking tape placed diagonally across the screen to temporally keep it from shifting while folding the hems.

You are correct in assuming that a wooden frame will eventually develop rot and/or mold in a humid environment, and, treated wood is probably not a good idea in a scorpion habitat. A wooden frame could be used if it was coated with marine epoxy to make it water proof, but the epoxies are quite expensive.

There are also fabric screens that can be used made by exo terra called Bio Drain mesh this is flexible light and does not have sharp edges. i wouldn't suggest buying the brand name stuff that exo terra makes because its probly way over priced but looking at the hardware store for something similar it would probly be alot cheaper. I just was using the bio mesh as an example of something you might want to use

If using a plastic/fabric mesh, just make sure it's tough enough to prevent tearing by your scorpion. For example, an adult Emperor would probably have little trouble tearing through nylon window screen.

What about that thick plastic gridding used for cross stitching? Has anyone used it before?

pixelsnpings wrote:

What about that thick plastic gridding used for cross stitching? Has anyone used it before?

That would probably work fine. Just make sure that it's plastic, not cotton. Cotton will rot.

Thank you guys for the answers!

hey also it might not look as good but if you have ever seen the plastic grating that they use for frags with reef tanks that could work well

Are you talking about egg crate? That would definitely work, but I'm not exactly where to get it from.

The egg crate panels are replacement light diffusers for overhead florescent light fixtures. You can buy them at Home Depot. You might also find them at other home improvement/hardware stores.

Thanks ill be in a hardware store this weekend. Ill see what they have available.