False bottom setup for Hadrurus arizonensis

I have an exo-terra mini tank (12x12x12 inch) that I want to set up for housing a single H. arizonensis.
I'm aware that this species needs some (small) amount of moisture to molt, but is also susceptible to mycosis.
Some members of this forum (I can't recall who offhand, sorry) have used a partial false bottom setup to create
a moisture gradient to accommodate molting without producing excessive moisture that might promote mycosis.
I thought I would try a similar set up using a cut down drawer organizer to provide a narrow false bottom on
one side of my enclosure. Below are a couple of picture to show you what I'm thinking of doing.





The tray will either be filled with gravel or a piece of egg-crate light diffuser panel, then wrapped with nylon window
screen. A short fill tube (capped ) will be installed in the front just behind the doors. I plan to have substrate
extending from the bottom of the doors to half way up the back of the enclosure, providing lots of room for burrowing.

I have everything I need to finish the build, but I would like to get some feedback from those of you who are keeping
or have kept H. arizonensis. Is the way to go, or should I be trying something else? Thanks.

that sounds genius.might need a bigger drawer organizer to cover 1/3 of the bottom instead of 1/4.im ignorant to the care of that species and 1/4 might be proper.but either way id say your on the right track.

id wait for someone who knows what theyre talking about though.

I stopped by Target today and found a better tray candidate. I had to cut it apart to get the piece
I wanted, but it's a perfect fit; plus, it's transparent so there's no guessing about the water level.

Nice. I was going to suggest trying to find a clear one.

perfect dude!!!

I've made some progress on my haddy tank. This post is picture heavy (that's a good thing right? )
The only reason I'm incorporating a partial false bottom is to accommodate a juvenile or sub-adult that needs
to molt, or, a gravid female. Both cases will do better with a moisture gradient. If I get an adult male, I don't
plan on using the false bottom at all. I just want to have it available if I need it.


False bottom tray incorporating nylon wicks.


False bottom tray installed in 12x12x12 inch exo-terra habitat.


I should have placed the fill tube back one square, but this will work.


I placed about 1/4 inch of coco fiber over the false bottom screen to prevent sand from filling the tray. I think the
coco fiber might also help with wicking moisture from the tray into the sand/clay substrate. I have no idea if this
is a good idea, but it seems reasonable.


Sand and excavator clay for substrate. Not sure what the camera was thinking here: the label on the sand is actually
white and the background on the ex-clay bag is orange. The colors are pretty, however.


I'm using a 80/20 mixture of sand/ex-clay for my substrate. The decapitated Snapple bottle is going to hold a potted
Aloe (or other desert plant). It's basically just a container to hold a standard 2.5" plastic pot. It should make it easy
to remove the plant when it needs watering or replacing. It will also prevent any moisture from the plant/pot leaking
into the substrate.


I gave the substrate a through misting of water while mixing it up with a fork. When I could no longer see any dry
sand, I stopped and let it sit for 10 minutes.


I tamped the substrate down using the bottom of a hammer handle. It was the perfect tool for the job.


This is just a 1 inch layer of substrate to make sure I have the correct sand/clay/water mixture and to get an
idea if how long it takes to dry.


I've got it drying under a 75W IR lamp.

Still looking good. Thanks for the picture updates. I'm glad you've decided to add a haddy to your family there. They are great scorpions.

that is gonna be one sweet setup when completed.definitely thanks for the pics

I finally finished setting up the tank. After a month or so, I figure the substrate is about as dry as it's going to get.
It's not as cool as Bexs' tank with the Roman columns, but it should do the trick.


It can use some more decorations (rocks, twigs. etc.) but it's ready for habitation. The exo-terra enclosure came
with a nice screen top but it has a plastic rib running across it. I wasn't sure how well it would fare with a heat
lamp sitting on it, so I'm using one of my window screen tops instead. The incandescent bulb is just for photos.
I plan to replace it with an IR bulb.


I'm using vinyl floor tiles as a background on two sides. They're held in place with masking tape for easy removal.


This tank might be too small for a built in planter, but I want to give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I can always
remove it and fill the hole with sand.


Here's a collection of Aloe plants I'll use in the planter. When the one in the tank needs watering, I'll swap it out
for one of the others. All the plants are in potting soil. I just added a layer of sand to match the substrate.


Here's the false bottom reservoir that covers 1/3 of the tank. The reservoir is dry; the dark stuff is a layer of coco
fiber.


Plant #1.


Plant #2.


Plant #3. Plant #4 fits a little snug so I omitted it, but you get the idea.


Now all I need is a desert hairy to tear the place up and start redecorating.

duuuuude great fing job man! that looks amazing Bex' is awesome too but yours is as well.they are both awesome in their own rights.

Looks great! Is your fill tube under the shale in the back-center?

you are quite the selfmade man tbh... great finishing..

Street, its probably under the piece of driftwood in front right

Great setup. Now quick quick, get that haddy in there

Oh yeah. I didn't notice the little tray in the front there...

Very cool enclosure! Just don't forget to put a soda cap over the fill tube or you may end up with a prey item or scorpion in your false bottom reservoir

The fill tube is in the front right corner. It's actually too far forward as it sits half way under the door hinge.
I stuffed a piece of aquarium poly fiber in it to keep the sand out. It also has a thin piece of slate wedged over it.
To fill it, I'll just use a short length of flexible tubing attached to a small funnel. That's how I fill the false bottom
in my emp tank.

Here's the false bottom in action. I posted this in another thread, but I wanted to include it here as well. I added
about 1/8 inch of water to the false bottom, just enough to reach the rear of the reservoir. After two days, all the
water has absorbed into the substrate and the reservoir is empty except for some condensation. I don't plan on
adding water again for at least 6 months. I hope I didn't add too much, but any less wouldn't have reached the
rear wick in the false bottom.

Thank you fpr this thread it has been very inspiring.