HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! I was wondering if a full spectrum light or white light is better for hermit crabs? Like, should I get a full spectrum or white light? I was thinking about getting a white light and a UVB bulb but if a full spectrum gives UVB and heat (heat like a regular white light bulb) I’ll work with that.

Also, are all full spectrum bulbs a spot light/ basking light?

What recommendations do you have/ what bulbs do you currently use for heat and UVB?

many of us use Under Tank heaters but mount them on the side for heating.... some use deep heat projectors

Lights can be detrimental to humidity --- can, not definitely

I never heard about deep heat projectors. I use a heat lamp because of my room. The tank is not exposed to indirect light and my room is not warm enough, so I’m always afraid about it being too cold and being messed up by the light cycle.

I use LED lights for their day cycle (mine is in a basement room with no windows) and UTH on sides for heat. Someone on a discord that I’m a member of endorses deep heat projectors. He says they don’t “zap” the humidity as bad. I have been considering it but have not taken the plunge as of yet


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My tanks are in a basement room with no natural light and the basement runs on the cool side in the cold months, so it can run from the low 60s to high 70s throughout the year.

I use full spectrum LED strip lights that are the width of the tank. Search "Aquaneat" on eBay or the likes. That's what I use.

In terms of humidity. If your tank is properly sealed, lighting should have little effect on humidity.

I covered the screen with plastic, but I do have humidity issues so I use a humidifier. But I was looking at mercury light bulbs as another option

Also, what do you use for heat?

Under Tank Heat pads like for reptiles.. but mounted on the side/back is what most use.

What size is it and what gallon is your tank? I might look into that and I currently have a 25 gallon tank

giannaw wrote: ↑

Sun May 01, 2022 11:00 pm

I covered the screen with plastic, but I do have humidity issues so I use a humidifier. But I was looking at mercury light bulbs as another option

Also, what do you use for heat?

I would skip any high heat producing bulb.

I use ultratherm heat mats that cover the full width and more than half the height of the back of my tanks. My tanks are standard 29gal aquariums. I have glass tops on my tanks and I put a beach towel over the top and allow it to drape down the back of the tank. This maintains about 15deg more than room temp in the tank. The mats are plugged into temperature controllers set to 85F.

giannaw wrote: ↑

Mon May 02, 2022 9:23 am

What size is it and what gallon is your tank? I might look into that and I currently have a 25 gallon tank

Currently have a regular 20gal (not tall) and have a UTH across the whole back and it keeps my tank in the 80 degree range

Thank you for letting me know! (:

Full spectrum is kind of a buzzword that doesn't mean too much when it comes to pets or plants. It's just light that makes them look good without being washed out.

UVB is a specialty addition that requires certain chemicals to produce, it only creates UVB for a set amount of use (up to 12 months depending on brand) and glass, plastic and wire mesh will filter out many to all of the UVB produced so set up is kind of tricky.

Heat and spot lamps are incandescent because they require metal filaments that heat up, like the inside of a toaster. UVB is produced with florescent tubing. There are some specialty bulbs that do both but I've never heard great things about them, going with two separate is safer and easier if you choose to go that route.

In your opinion, what is best for heating? I’m so confused and lost! I’m thinking about the heating pads and led bulbs and uvb bulbs. Plus, tips for humidity

UTH heating pads are thoughtless. Buy them once, they don't shatter or blow out like heat bulbs do, you don't have to move them every time you go into the tank like overhead lights. They produce even heating and won't affect humidity levels.

Get a cheapo LED light strip for viewing the crabs, they run cool and last forever!