HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I am getting a 40gal tank set up and have a 24w zoomed UTH (Large) measures about 8 x 18in the tank measures about 36in Long x 15in Tall I'm going to use the sand and coco fiber as substrate but wondering if I may need another 24hr heat source? during daylight hours i will have a UVB light. Also will have bubbler pools. I've read that the zoomed brand can only be insulated around it and not over it, was planning to use the hvac/foil tape to attach it as it doesn't have the adhesive or should i use packing tape to attach it and the foil tape to insulate with the car visor stuff? likely going to be using the foil tape to insulate the mesh topper. Getting substrate tonight and try to set up everything to see what my temp and humidity regulate at then hopefully Hermies by this weekend! The tank and UTH were used for a python and i don't remember exactly what temps it would stay at but was adequate for him however crabs seem to need steady temp and a few degrees more than the snakes, or so it seems. Any and all input in greatly appreciated!

Did you take off the heat mat? If so you need a new one because when you peel it off it can cause damage to the internal wires. Also all zoomed's should be sticky and stick to the tank (unless you've used it and then removed it). It also depends on the normal heat in your house for if you need another heater however do make sure you have a temperature control I recommend inkbird.

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It still has the sticky part but wanted to keep it moveable until I figure out if it's going to work or where it will work the best. I planned on getting a thermostat later or should I consider that a need to have asap item? The house stays at about 65-70.
May use a ceramic emitter. we have one on hand would that be better for such a large-ish tank?

I would say because your house stays so warm that a thermostat is highly recommended only because it might get a bit hot for them. And I don't know about larger tanks because I only have a 29 gallon.

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Also, 65 is too cold. I would get asap, 70 is really the lowest they should get, and even then I imagine they are uncomfortable..

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CrabHappens wrote:Also, 65 is too cold. I would get asap, 70 is really the lowest they should get, and even then I imagine they are uncomfortable..

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IMO The lowest temperature for a crab is 75. Even then, that is surviving. Not thriving.

I just figured temperatures their natural environment gets to are acceptable, though that low is not ideal, I know. Lowest mine gets is 77, and it is really not difficult if you have a uth on the side of the tank, and plexiglass.

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Well I've had the tank set up for 24hrs with a towel over the mesh topper and this morning my gauges were reading 80f and humidity was at 75%. I misted and added the moss pit and it's been staying at 80%. Just borrowed one of hubs acurites from his snake (mine are the little dials) going to wait about an hour and see if mine are accurate. Its only been about 30-45mins but is reading 75f and 79% humidity. The snakes are kept at 84f and about 70% humidity. I mounted the uth on the back side in the middle about an inch or 2 from the rim. Think I may be ready to go get some crabbies this evening or tomorrow! So excited!

Or saran wrap, or anything to hold heat in.

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How deep is your substrate and what does it consist of? EE, playsand or both? The deeper the substrate, the better it is with humidity - also it should have been mixed with dechlorinated msw or dechlorinated fw to make sandcastle consistency. Height needs to be a minumum of 6"

Do you have pools for their water bowls and do they have bubblers?

both of the things I mentioned above help with humidity.

As far as heat, ultratherms help the most with heat. I prefer the ones from www.reptilebasics.com the most. They can be insulated. Zoomed heaters cannot be insulated, but you can insulate around them. For insulation, you can do the following: purchase Reflectix insulation $14-$16 a roll - looks like a car shade, or you can insulate using aluminum foil - shiny side facing inside the crabitat, then use cardboard or styrofoam. Repeat.

The hygrometer would need to be closer to the substrate to see what the temperature and humidity would be for the crabs. Heat rises, so it would be hotter near the top.

CrabHappens wrote:Also, 65 is too cold. I would get asap, 70 is really the lowest they should get, and even then I imagine they are uncomfortable..

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75 should be the lowest in my opinion. Edit: Gb already mentioned that

We had decades of old crabbers show that 72 is acceptable. You'll see more activity at warmer temps though! Anything below 70 is danger zone. 65 has killed before.

Thanks y'all so much for all the great info! I put plexiglass over the mesh and am reading a steady 80f and 85% humidity! I don't think I will need any insulation just yet but will round up stuff for winter to have on hand. Going tomorrow to get a digital gauge. I'm using 6in of playsand/ee and have 2 pools with bubblers one salt one fresh. We went and got 4 new hermies and they seem to love it so far, I think one is a hog crab as he found the food bowl and has been grazing for awhile lol I'll try to post pics on my new comer post from pc after dinner

65f is what the temp stays in my house not the tank lol I think there was some confusion. here's the link to the post I put pics in viewtopic.php?f=28&t=118211