HCA: Hermit Crab Association

We have just adopted four crabs and are switching to a 55-gallon tank to accommodate everyone comfortably. I have a 6"x8" Zoo Med Repti Therm UTH that was attached to one end of my 10-gallon tank. Can I use this on one end of the 55-gallon, with another at the other end, and keep it warm enough? Daytime indoor spring-fall ambient temp is 78-82, but overnight we keep the ac on 72, and the heater on 62 in winter (68-72 during the day). I usually cover the tank with a towel at night. I'd rather not rely on lamps for heat if I can avoid it (already read through that section in the care sheets). And right now the 55-gallon doesn't have a lid, so I'm also researching options for that and considering building one. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and ideas!

I would look into investing in an ultratherm UTH for the back of the tank because those are the ones you can insulate and if the UTH itself doesn't help with heat you can add some cardboard and other insulation on top of it to help.

With UTH's that you can't insulate you're kind of limited on what you can do. Likely having two of the small UTHs on the sides isn't going to be enough. You will probably have to add another heat source.

I know when I had my 55gal I had a UTH on one end, a heat bulb in the middle and a heat bulb at the other end.

I agree, I would get an ultratherm for the back of the tank. http://Www.reptilebasics.com or www.beanfarm.com


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Ok, going with an Ultratherm. Would a 6" strip the length of the tank work? I'm assuming I'd want to keep it above the level of the substrate...

Yes, you want to heat the air.


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How do you guys attach those ultratherms? Have a 35x11 for a 40 gallon breeder, thinking the metal sticky duct tape


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You'll want to attach the flattest side to tank using any duck tape or packing (box) tape.

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I Agree with daws I've used Reflectix tape also.


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Ah, good to know about how to attach. Will a 6-inch wide X 48-inch long strip effectively heat a 55-gallon tank by itself?

For most 55Gs, a 6x47 ultratherm is enough heat to keep a steady temp of 80-83.

Edit- ambient temp of your house will also effect how much heat is needed. For most, they only use UTH in winter.

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I have one of my crab tanks in my bedroom, and night temps in winter dip to around 60, so I ended up having to go with a pad that covered the entire back including substrate in order to keep it at 80. Asking 20 degrees from a heating pad is asking a lot in northern climates.

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You also can insulate your tank as needed. A lot depends on where you live, and what temperature you keep your house. I live in Florida. I use uths that do not cover the entire length of my tanks, and insulate with Reflectix insulation in our "winter" months. It just doesn't get very cold here. I do insulate three sides of my tank though.

Edit: but I only insulate during winter. Some use Reflectix, (insulation not the tape), or you can use aluminum foil, then foam board or styrofoam layered.

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