HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! I just started with hermit crabs and have 3 PPs and a 20 gallon tank. Right now I have a 16W Reptitherm under tank heater. It's only bringing the temperature to 70 (ambient is about 55). I am wondering if I should get another medium or small, or scrap it and get a large?

Any feedback is appreciated!

Hello, how deep is your sub? When i started crabbin i had heat/humidity problems. Once my sub was deep emough , 5+ inches, temps and humidity came right up. More experienced crabbbers believe 80-85 F is your optimal tank temps.
Also: is reptitherm insulatable? I have a Ultratherm, and they definitely are able to be wrapped, check and see. Additional insulation will help trap warm air.
Youll get lots of helpful advice here.

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Welcome to the HCA! Is the ultra therm on the back of the tank above the substrate level?


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I have about the same (5") substrate, back mounted

The HCA recommends a minimum of 6" of substrate or 3x the height of your largest crab, whichever is deeper- for the best chance for successful molting. As for the heat, 80 is the recommended minimum. Personally I would order one as big as the full back of your tank- stick it on with reflectix tape, and than tape on a sheet of reflectix insulation.


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I'd recommend getting a larger pad as well, one that fits across the back. You can always use the smaller one you have now on a side if you ever need a heat boost come winter.

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Thanks for the replies! I'll definitely be looking into another heater. I might actually need to order some sand as I can't actually find any in stores (recently moved so figuring things out still)

Menidia wrote:Thanks for the replies! I'll definitely be looking into another heater. I might actually need to order some sand as I can't actually find any in stores (recently moved so figuring things out still)

Check out Ultratherm brand (sold from beanfarm.com or reptilebasics.com) or Flukers brand UTHs. Both of these can be safely insulated when you need to insulate during winter months, and the Ultratherm at least is repositionable (I'm not as familiar with Flukers). Most other brands of UTH don't work as well for heating air in the crabitat.

Also I use a thermostat to keep my temp stable at 80-83 (peace of mind).

Welcome to HCA! Best of luck!

Check where the concrete is sold for the playsand. It's usually stored indoors and kept dry so that it can be used to make cement mixes.

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Thank you all for your feedback! Just ordered an ultratherm and am going sand shopping this weekend!

Temperature is now at 81 and humidity at 80!

Yea!!! Your crabs will be super happy!!!

Nice!