Crabitat Temperature Variance/ Thermometer Placement

[Kardi]

From my reading I understand that crabitats should have warmer spots and cooler spots, and cycles between day and night.

With the winter in Ohio and my first winter crabbing, I realized my temps were dropping too low for my E's (mid 70s). Santa brought a lovely dual heat lamp and timer to run all day/night, supplementing my ultratherm.

When first setting it up I wanted to ensure I didn't bake my crabs and ran a few thermometers in various places. I was shocked to see temps in the far shady corner around 76 to the top of the crabitat nearest the light at 102.

I should state that before the heat lamp addition my poor E's have hudled between the cork cutting and ultratherm to stay warm.

They are now certainly more active and out and about more, but I don't want it too hot either; I do know they like it warm, mid to upper 80s.

With all this said, does everyone else have such extremes in their tanks? Secondly, where all do you measure the appropriate temps or leave your temp gauges to moniter?

Thanks for the input, in advance!





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[Kermie16]

Can't say I have that much of a temp variance in my tat. I have one thermometer/hygrometer in the middle of the tat at hermie level and I have a second one on the right side of my tat (opposite from my pools) also at hermie level. I have an Ultratherm UTH as well. For me to keep the temp stable I have it insulated all the time with reflectix on the back over the UTH and both sides of the tank. Because my tank is in a fairly drafty room and with the cooler weather coming in, I also added reflectix to the bottom 2/3rd of the front of the tank. I like covering most of the sub level up in general so when molters go down and they reach the glass they still have the darkness needed to molt. I have digital thermometer/hygrometers. I calibrate them about once a month to make
sure they are measuring everything appropriately. Wondering what kind of thermometer u have (analog vs digital) and to make sure your thermometer/hygrometers have been calibrated? Also you want to watch out for the humidity dropping with the increases heat in the tank, esp with the heat lamp (lovely gift from Santa I might add ). I'm not too familiar with heat lamps in general but maybe distancing it further away from the tank would help decrease temp towards
Top of the tank?


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[Kardi]

The heat lamp is at least 12 inches away and at an angle, most like closer to 18 inches away. I have the UTH insulated with reflection on the back and on one side.

Thermometers are analog - no issues there.

Crab level is probably the way to go, but have you ever moved your thermometers around? Surely there is some.heat difference from top to bottom and back to front, no?

All of this makes me question the preferred temp and how it should be accurately measured.

Not too concerned with humidity at the moment, as I have a little one who likes to spray the tank and now I can let her. She'll keep it damp enough and once our heat question is answered than i can diagnose that and fine tune it again. Thankfully the tank was great over the summer and an easy keeper - this is only one more reason why I'm ready for warmer weather!

[GotButterflies]

The heat lamp is at least 12 inches away and at an angle, most like closer to 18 inches away. I have the UTH insulated with reflection on the back and on one side.

Thermometers are analog - no issues there.

GB: you really should try to get digital. Analogs are not accurate. With hermits you need to keep humidity & temp above 80. Analags become faulty and can stick. Acurite makes a digital hygrometer $8.50, runs off of one AA battery. In home improvement section in Walmart, or buy online at Walmart or Amazon. I used to keep mine on the sub. Hermits loved to climb it and got dirt in the back of it. I now place mine in the middle of my tank, command strip (Velcro kind) to the glass.

Crab level is probably the way to go, but have you ever moved your thermometers around? Surely there is some.heat difference from top to bottom and back to front, no?

GB: I do the middle top, to each's own. I have a 100gallon and a 75 gallon.

All of this makes me question the preferred temp and how it should be accurately measured.

GB: temp & humidity should not be below 80/80. Thriving and surviving. You want them to thrive~ go above 80

Not too concerned with humidity at the moment, as I have a little one who likes to spray the tank and now I can let her. She'll keep it damp enough and once our heat question is answered than i can diagnose that and fine tune it again. Thankfully the tank was great over the summer and an easy keeper - this is only one more reason why I'm ready for warmer weather!

GB: Be careful with this as substrate can become saturated. Hermits have modified gills. They need the humidity to breathe. Without it they are suffocating.

I answered your questions above with GB Hope that helps.


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[Kermie16]

My temp variance across the tank is at the most by 3-4 degrees. There is natural temp variance going from day to night in the tank as well so they get a variety but the temp never drops below 81 and never goes above 85 degrees. And as GB said above, the temp and humidity both need to be in range for the hermies to thrive


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[Kardi]

My crabs have been going great for 6 months now, so I know I had the temp and humidity fine for the summer, especially after several successful molts and lots of growth!

I'm just trying to understand the extreme variance. I must be measuring the temperature wrong somehow, as silly as that sounds.

What size are your tanks? I'm running a 29 gallon.

Maybe I'll take a few pictures and let you guys take a stab at why the crazy variance.

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[aussieJJDude]

temp variance in normal in all tanks, I wouldn't worry. Since I have a CHE, I know that it can get really hot and dry directly underneath, but a few inches away its a lot cooler... And on the opposite side, its pretty much high 70's.

[Kardi]

temp variance in normal in all tanks, I wouldn't worry. Since I have a CHE, I know that it can get really hot and dry directly underneath, but a few inches away its a lot cooler... And on the opposite side, its pretty much high 70's.

Thank you! I've been taking temps all over with the same variance before and panicking, and then logically thinking it's impossible to have a steady temp as heat rises, etc.

My assumption is if I offer them warm and cool spots, 78 to 96, they'll find where they want to be? The majority of the floor area is around 83.

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[aussieJJDude]

As long as the majority is at a reasonable temperature, then I wouldn't worry.