HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have a 40w infrared heater overhead. The temp is usually around 78 degrees. I noticed all the hermies sit directly under the lamp. Does this mean they are cold in other parts of the tank? I didn't want to bake the tank, so I got the 40w and only one. This way they could move away from the lamp if it was too hot. Is this ok? You can even see my temp / humidity is ideal by the gauge. It was actually 80 in the photo, it is usually 78.

Thats why I like hoods because you are heating the whole tank- you can always make cooler spots with huts and stuff- when I have an ISO up and have a clamp on or something they always huddle where the heat is like yours. You might want to invest in a hood that houses day and night bulbs for more even distribution!

The reason why I did not get a hood was due to the fact the humidity would get too high. We have the crabitat in the bathroom, and due to the fact everyone takes showers, that already increases the humidity. When I had plexiglass on top of just PART of the tank, the humidity would get in the 90s. This is why I went with a screen and a ceramic heater. Does that make sense?

I could always get a UTH for the other side of the tank. I'm wondering if the hermies just like the light there.

If you still think it would be better with a hood with the conditions I mentioned above (with the humidity issues), please let me know. I could go out and get that today.

I have a 20G long, so if you had suggestions on the hood / wattage let me know what you think is best!

how moist is your sand/substrate? Do you use bubblers? I guess I would have to know more about your tank in general to see why the humidity is high- like what substrate- is there moss or sponges in there etc

The bathroom would only stay humid while the showers are going on and my goodness how big is your bathroom? PARTY OVER HERE!!

The sand / substrate is like sand castle consistency. I used about 50lbs of playsand plus Eco Earth. It is a ratio of 5:1, as I followed the Hermit Crab Patch's guidelines. No, I do not use bubblers. I have to be honest, I don't know what they are!!!! I also have that New Zealand moss that starts with an 'S' (lol forgot what it is called)

We have a decent-sized bathroom. I like the crabs in there because they are in the center of the house (lol). Hubby makes fun of my crab hobby, but at least tolerates them. :roll:

Is this something you would suggest for a 20G long to put on top of a screen top?


Or, would you recommend an top instead of the screen top, and get a different heating fixture altogether?

Thanks so much! Hubby is taking son out today, so I would like to get the crabitat situated.

I have used that hood and its ok. Here this is the kind I like as the heat is more even (pic is 5 yrs old)

My hoods are older so I am not sure what is out there or if these are around I would hope so they have an outlet on top for the bubblers (an air pump with tubing down in your water dish to bubble the water)
You can see my tank in my signature - have to go to the tank sub album.
Glass lids are preferred and to be safe and prevent the glass lid from cracking I prop the hood on blocks of wood (or whatever wont melt)

Tell hubby you need to move the tank to where they can be with you more........(like the kitchen!!) I bet he is secretly interested in them

I actually like them in the bathroom, I am in there a lot. I have a 3 year old, LOL. Ok, do you see anything online that I should go buy? There are just so MANY OPTIONS that I get overwhelmed. I did a search and still can't find exactly what you are talking about (I know you said your tops are older)

I dont have time to see what is out there but a quick search they all seem to be like what you had pictured- wonder why?? That is a good option cause you can have both bulbs I just dont know why they would stop the even disbursement of the other.
I will have to look more later

THANK YOU! Sorry to be a PITA. You seem like a good expert to go to and I just want to do right by my hermies!!!!

I have the 20" Zilla Bi-Light on my 10 gallon and it seems to work well. I plan to use 2 of them on my 90 gallon. Just an fyi, Petco online does not have the best prices on these. Do a little web research if you decide to get this. On Amazon it is $25.97 and at That Fish Place it is $27.99.

Thank you. I usually find that Petco's prices are generally higher. If I buy it, I will probably go with the HCP because I have to buy more shells & food, anyhow.

I'm now trying to decide whether to keep the screen top I have and just buy that bilight, or get a different top altogether with a built in light.

andreas4dogs wrote:I have a 40w infrared heater overhead. The temp is usually around 78 degrees. I noticed all the hermies sit directly under the lamp. Does this mean they are cold in other parts of the tank? I didn't want to bake the tank, so I got the 40w and only one. This way they could move away from the lamp if it was too hot. Is this ok? You can even see my temp / humidity is ideal by the gauge. It was actually 80 in the photo, it is usually 78.

It looks as if your thermometer/hygrometer are directly under the heat lamp. Yes? Out of curiosity, have you ever checked the temp and humidity away from the heat lamp?

You've already been given good advice but I just had to ask.

I'm using an actual aquarium hood that came with the tank and I've propped part of the hood up with a ruler so it gets some air, and I just use the lights to keep the heating fine and seems to work.

You might want to test the temp of the substrate too. Your temp sounds good now but you just want to make sure its not to cold underground. A ultratherm heat pad could go on the side of the tank warming up the inside and the sand too. Just a thought. you can see ultratherms here http://www.reptilebasics.com/ they are the only heat pads that i have found that actually work. I like that you dont have to have lights on at all time to have the tank heated.. light bulbs can get expensive. Just another option for you. Also if you find your tank gets to humid you may want to add a air hose to move the air around a bit. That helps lots..