HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My tank lid melted for some reason, I’ve had it a while. But I was out today and came home to burning plastic. I was using a heat bulb, I’m going to switch to a UTH. I had to move the crabs to a new bin, and it is holding humidity and heat well. They seem to like it better too. Is it okay to use long term, or only temporarily?

Ruesmommy27 wrote:My tank lid melted for some reason, I’ve had it a while. But I was out today and came home to burning plastic. I was using a heat bulb, I’m going to switch to a UTH. I had to move the crabs to a new bin, and it is holding humidity and heat well. They seem to like it better too. Is it okay to use long term, or only temporarily?

Hi!

Heat lamps are def powerful enough to melt plastic and crack glass. They should only be used on top of metal mesh screens. If the bin is plastic, you can't use a uth on the back, since it could get hot enough to melt the plastic too. If you want to use the bin without a heat lamp or uth, that should be fine as long as it's big enough for the number of crabs you have.

Happy Crabbing!

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CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 11, 2022 9:11 pm

Hi!

Heat lamps are def powerful enough to melt plastic and crack glass. They should only be used on top of metal mesh screens. If the bin is plastic, you can't use a uth on the back, since it could get hot enough to melt the plastic too. If you want to use the bin without a heat lamp or uth, that should be fine as long as it's big enough for the number of crabs you have.

Happy Crabbing!

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I have an outside space heater and it actually does keep it warm too, and it won’t melt the plastic. The bin is like 20 gallons for 2 small crabs. I do not know how to upload photos! But thank you so much!

I keep mine in a plastic storage tote. Ultratherms don’t usually get hot enough to melt plastic so it’s never been an issue for me. Lamps and emitters, however, get significantly hotter.


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Ruesmommy27 wrote:
I have an outside space heater and it actually does keep it warm too, and it won’t melt the plastic. The bin is like 20 gallons for 2 small crabs. I do not know how to upload photos! But thank you so much!

Yw! Just please be careful running an outdoor or indoor heater when your not around/sleeping. The owner of a beach I've frequented since I was a kid, passed away a few years back in a house fire started by a space heater left on overnight.

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JoeHermits wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 12, 2022 11:47 am

I keep mine in a plastic storage tote. Ultratherms don’t usually get hot enough to melt plastic so it’s never been an issue for me. Lamps and emitters, however, get significantly hotter.


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I decided to just move them back into their og tank.