HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I know I am supposed to use incandesant lightbulbs... but would using infared be bad? It is kinda bright...and I heard they use it to keep food hot (I don't want to end up with a bunch of fried crab cakes on my hands ). But the brightness wouldn't matter, as it is red and i will probably be using it just in the day, and a 75 watt at night. I'm not using the bulb right now, and I didn't want to start unless it was safe.

Crabs need a full spectrum white light and not a red light. I'd get rid of the IR bulb and get a full spectrum dayglo instead.

So I should use dayglo during the dayAnd a red glo bulb at night (which is what I am using all teh time right now).

have you used moonglow for the night time they work real well for me it simulates night with a real moon look

Well the first ones I got were nightglo... they did zelch for teh temp. I didn't see any moonglo at petland. If I can go to petco this weekend, I will look there. I don't think i need a larger watt though. Would it be ok to use the red heat bulb if they are getting sunlight during the day. They are in teh living room where there is a huge window and sliding glass doors that lets light in.

Red light at night could very well mess up the crabs' circadian rhythms. I use moonglows for night and if you have high enough wattage they should be fine. I really recommend you get rid of the red bulb completely. If you had trouble with one brand of moonglow keeping your temps up, you might consider switching to another manufacturer.

Ok, for now is it ok to use a red bulb (probably until this weekend when I can get a better bulb)? It is too cold to not give them anything. Can I use the moonglo during the day? Sorry for all the questions.

I really think they need some daylight just like if they were outside keeps them in balance. just like the rest of us crazy huh LOL

A few days won't hurt, just correct it when you can.

So let me make sure I get this straight (it will be my third time buying bulbs, I'm hoping I can get it right this time lol )I need a dayglo for during the day and a night glo for at night. Should I stay with the 75 watts? Do they sell 60 or something watts? Is there a difference between nightglo and moonglo? Again, sorry for all of the questions.

Nightglo and moonglow are the same thing. They do sell a 60 watt version of day and night bulbs. If your temp is running in range with the 75 stick with those, or else go up or down depending on how far out you are. Bulbs usually run in increments as follows: 15, 25, 40, 60, 75, (occasionally 90), 100 and 150 watts.

If you have one thats heating things up too much, just back it away from the tank some. Thats what I do. And I am using a red bulb for a few hours every day... Kerri, maybe you andwered this, but why do you not recommend the red bulb? I am using it for a heat boost in the morning. I have a night-glo (75 watts) that I use overnight, it holds the temp ok, but not great. Im usually down to about 73 degrees in the morning. So I turn on the red one and raise the temp up to about 75-76 and turn it back off. I was thinking this was ok, since it was sort of simulating a natural cycle... you know, a slight cool down over night, and then warm up when the sun rises. The rest of the day, the tank just gets natural sunlight from a window. The red one causes my humidity to drop slightly but I have a humidifier going and that holds it good enough while the red light is on. Sorry this is so long.... but should I not be using that red bulb for a specific reason??

I was just wondering on the lights? If the crabs spend most of the day hiding from the light do they really need a full spectrum light?

Yes, they do, in order to make proper use of their nutrients. The carotenids in particular need light in order to be absorbed properly.Crabs are not necessarily nocturnal, it is just safer for them in the wild, with possibly harsh weather conditions and predators to contend with. A great many of my crabs wander around and forage by day, especially in the late afternoon before the lights go off.They need a full spectrum light to keep their circadian rhythms adjusted properly, which have an effect on growth and molting.

Ren, if you're using the red bulb just as a short term booster of heat, it shouldn't be a problem, especially considering you give them full sun during the day. The problem is relying on red spectrum light to give them the proper levels of UV that they absolutley require. Red light isn't full light, and it's not useful to them as a main light source.