Potential New Owner with some questions relating to tank set up

[Liam18]

Hello. I am so glad I found a community about hermit crabs.

About a year back, I decided to get a betta fish. After some time with a very healthy fish, I decided I wanted to get another pet as well. After months of extensive research, I decided I wanted to go with a "terrarium" pet. I quickly narrowed down my options due to not wanting to deal with live food for the pets. I have decided to settle on a crustacean, with a hermit crab seeming to be the best option. While I have figured out most of the things I need, I can't quite figure out two elements of the tank setup, those being the lid and the heater.

I have no idea what I should do for the lid, as I have seen many options with varying results, and as for the heater, I can't seem to find out exactly what I should spring for. All I know is that I want something that will heat and light up during the day and something that will heat at night. I would also prefer not to deal with a UTH. I have read the section here that talks about heating but I can't seem to pinpoint a specific light and fixture that would work.

[Liam18]

On second thought, I would be willing to deal with a UTH if I can figure out how to install them and what size I need.

[curlysister]

The UTH is probably the easiest method, in my opinion. Super easy to install - you literally just tape it onto the tank with any kind of tape that will hold it (packing, duct, gorilla, etc). You want one that is big enough to cover most of the space across the back of the tank, above the substrate line. And it would also be easiest to use that for heat all the time, then add a light that does not heat for the day. I don't use any lights, my tank is in a room with a window where they get indirect natural light.
As for a lid, I used plastic wrap on my first two tanks. Then the tank I have now, came with plexi glass cut to fit the top (with a corner cut off to allow air flow). It works fabulously!

[JTKermie]

How many crabs do you intend to keep and what sized tank? Do you plan to adopt or buy some captive bread crabs? I wouldn't go any smaller than a standard 29g tank. Given you keep betta(s), this may seem huge, but once you fill it with a proper level of sand/eco earth substrate, it's not a huge amount of floor space for a hermit crab or 3.

You can even use a similarly sized clear-ish plastic storage tote. The tote is nice because it will come with a tight fitting lid, which is what you need.

If you do go the 29g tank route, keep your eyes peeled for a Petco, Petsmart or Pet Supplies Plus $1/gal sale if you can't find a used one for cheap. A hinged glass top for a 29g will actually wind-up costing you more than the tank itself. They're around $35 these days. Figure on another $30 for an ultratherm heater or similar. I've tried others, but have reverted back to ultratherm. Then a heat controller... You can mail order a nice 30" LED aquarium strip light on eBay or the likes for around $20. Then you need a digital temp/humidity gauge, a lamp timer, four 1qt plastic food storage containers for your pools (2 stacked for each), decor, extra shells, some quality dry foods to have on hand, etc..etc. It adds up to a lot of $$$, but it does for any critter you keep.

Also keep in mind you're doing this for a critter you may rarely see. They mostly hide/sleep during the day and they bury themselves in the substrate for months at a time to molt. If I didn't keep a wyze camera in my tank, I'd basically never see any crabby action.