HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi!
I'm getting used to adjusting heat during cold rainy days like today. I'm not too confident in long term adjustments, though. Right now, I plug in a third heating pad for about 10 minutes, until the gauge climbs up to a good spot, then I unplug it. That works for a bit, but it doesn't keep. If I'm home and can check every couple hours, so I don't mind.
If I have a long day out, or am away camping for a week and it gets cold, how do I correct this better? Does the pad eventually stop getting hotter? The two I run 24/7 on the back of the tank keep well without the gauge climbing.
The gauge is directly on the third pad, so maybe it's reading the general temp incorrectly? I have another gauge that I could put on the opposite side to see the difference. What do you all suggest from your experience? Bless you!

I've also heard to put the gauge NOT on the wall at all and to place it in the middle propped on something above sub. I may make the switch.

Could you consider a thermostat for the third heat mat?

I'm with Curly about a thermostat. I have 2 tanks with crabs and an iso tank. I have all 3 of those mats connected to their own thermostat. They work great and keep my tanks at a nice temp range. I check to make sure they are in working order a couple times of day, but I am a bit obsessive, so you wouldn't even have to watch them that much.

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That sounds like a good future investment, thanks. I spent the day with a gauge in the middle of the tank. Wow! It is about 10degrees colder than the wall, and 20% more humid. I'm keeping it there for sure. Now I know to keep the third pad on and the humidity is actually fine. Phew!

Great! I'm glad you figured it out!