Hello everyone! I've been lurking on this forum for about a month because I plan on buying some hermit crabs. About 5-6 years ago I had a few and they were a ton of fun, but looking back I realized I didn't take proper care of them,so they only lasted less than a year. Now I'm back and I've researched everything I can about these amazing animals and I believe I am ready to properly take care of them. I have a few questions regarding my tank setup, and I'd like to make sure everything is perfect.
1. I have a 11x35 UTH and my tank is a 29g. It's a bit too large because I was unsure what size to get. Where should I place it? And should it be on the inside or out?
2. I have a brick of sphagnum moss. I can make a moss pit tomorrow but what should I do with the rest of the moss? Is it OK to mix it inside the substrate?
3. Is my crabitat good enough? I will put a screen lid on top soon as I haven't finished testing the temperature and humidity.
4. Is nighttime lighting necessary?
Pictures http://imgur.com/a/gHYhZ
Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
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CrimsonFlamez
Topic author - Posts: 5
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aussieJJDude
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Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Hey, welcome to HCA! I really hope you like it here.
1. How big is your tank - in inches? For positioning a UTH, you want to put in on the side of the tank - most recommend the back, but doesn't really matter - above the substrate line making sure that it is outside the tank. You want to heat the air, not that substrate. If an inch or 2 - and I mean and inch or two! - goes underneath the substrate line, don't worry; often the hermies like to dig down near there and just chill out.
2. Yes it is safe to mix the moss with the substrate.
3. Looking really good! At most getting some deeper water dishes, hermit crabs really like to go for a good soak if given the chance. Maybe add some more climbing places and maybe providing some second levels. But for a first timer, those things can be added over time.
4. No it isn't. Most people add lighting to enhance the tank or just see the crabbies.
1. How big is your tank - in inches? For positioning a UTH, you want to put in on the side of the tank - most recommend the back, but doesn't really matter - above the substrate line making sure that it is outside the tank. You want to heat the air, not that substrate. If an inch or 2 - and I mean and inch or two! - goes underneath the substrate line, don't worry; often the hermies like to dig down near there and just chill out.
2. Yes it is safe to mix the moss with the substrate.
3. Looking really good! At most getting some deeper water dishes, hermit crabs really like to go for a good soak if given the chance. Maybe add some more climbing places and maybe providing some second levels. But for a first timer, those things can be added over time.
4. No it isn't. Most people add lighting to enhance the tank or just see the crabbies.
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I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Hello and welcome to the HCA! 
1. Does the UTH wrap around the tank, or does it just cover a lot of the back side of the tank? You should place the UTH on one of the sides of your tank; never under the tank, despite its name, and it should be on the outside of the tank. If you can put it on the tank without adhering it, you should see what temperature it gets the tank to; if it is too high, you may need to get a smaller one. You can probably sell it, if it turns out you do need a smaller one.
2. I'm sure it would be okay to mix the extra moss into the substrate, but you can always store it in a Ziploc bag and save it for another time, or maybe you might later decide to add a second moss pit or something.
3. I think your setup looks great; there is only one thing that you may need to change. The water dishes may be too shallow for your crabs to fully submerge in. If this is the case, you can always use Tupperware containers. It may be helpful for you to wrap your lid most of the way with plastic wrap, as it will help to increase the humidity level. Since you are testing the temperature and humidity out, you may want to try that.
4. I personally do not use nighttime lighting, but some crabbers do. I personally do not think that it is necessary since my crabs have access to natural light during the day and darkness after the sun goes down, but others who use a nighttime light do have their reasons, and I am sure they will chime in to help you with the decision to use it or not.
1. Does the UTH wrap around the tank, or does it just cover a lot of the back side of the tank? You should place the UTH on one of the sides of your tank; never under the tank, despite its name, and it should be on the outside of the tank. If you can put it on the tank without adhering it, you should see what temperature it gets the tank to; if it is too high, you may need to get a smaller one. You can probably sell it, if it turns out you do need a smaller one.
2. I'm sure it would be okay to mix the extra moss into the substrate, but you can always store it in a Ziploc bag and save it for another time, or maybe you might later decide to add a second moss pit or something.
3. I think your setup looks great; there is only one thing that you may need to change. The water dishes may be too shallow for your crabs to fully submerge in. If this is the case, you can always use Tupperware containers. It may be helpful for you to wrap your lid most of the way with plastic wrap, as it will help to increase the humidity level. Since you are testing the temperature and humidity out, you may want to try that.
4. I personally do not use nighttime lighting, but some crabbers do. I personally do not think that it is necessary since my crabs have access to natural light during the day and darkness after the sun goes down, but others who use a nighttime light do have their reasons, and I am sure they will chime in to help you with the decision to use it or not.
~Ashley
I have 3 PP's, 1 E, and a puppy. :) Hermit Crabbing since August '04 R.I.P: to the crabs I have lost and R.I.P. Rocky(my first pet).
I make and sell all-natural, chemical and dye free hermit crab food on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHappyHermi ... p_redirect
I have 3 PP's, 1 E, and a puppy. :) Hermit Crabbing since August '04 R.I.P: to the crabs I have lost and R.I.P. Rocky(my first pet).
I make and sell all-natural, chemical and dye free hermit crab food on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHappyHermi ... p_redirect
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singlemomwithcrab
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
- Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Just an opinion but that moss is pretty expensive compared to the play sand and coco fiber. I would save it instead of mixing it in.
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
50 PPs, 1 E
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CrimsonFlamez
Topic author - Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:47 pm
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Thanks a lot! My tank is about a foot and a half tall and 2 feet and a half wide (I hope this is what you meant) and I can purchase some deeper Tupperware containers tomorrow.aussieJJDude wrote:Hey, welcome to HCA! I really hope you like it here.
1. How big is your tank - in inches? For positioning a UTH, you want to put in on the side of the tank - most recommend the back, but doesn't really matter - above the substrate line making sure that it is outside the tank. You want to heat the air, not that substrate. If an inch or 2 - and I mean and inch or two! - goes underneath the substrate line, don't worry; often the hermies like to dig down near there and just chill out.
2. Yes it is safe to mix the moss with the substrate.
3. Looking really good! At most getting some deeper water dishes, hermit crabs really like to go for a good soak if given the chance. Maybe add some more climbing places and maybe providing some second levels. But for a first timer, those things can be added over time.
4. No it isn't. Most people add lighting to enhance the tank or just see the crabbies.
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CrimsonFlamez
Topic author - Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:47 pm
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
The UTH does cover more than the entire back, I can probably wrap it around the left side and the back. Here is a picture of itRebecca C wrote:Hello and welcome to the HCA!
1. Does the UTH wrap around the tank, or does it just cover a lot of the back side of the tank? You should place the UTH on one of the sides of your tank; never under the tank, despite its name, and it should be on the outside of the tank. If you can put it on the tank without adhering it, you should see what temperature it gets the tank to; if it is too high, you may need to get a smaller one. You can probably sell it, if it turns out you do need a smaller one.
2. I'm sure it would be okay to mix the extra moss into the substrate, but you can always store it in a Ziploc bag and save it for another time, or maybe you might later decide to add a second moss pit or something.
3. I think your setup looks great; there is only one thing that you may need to change. The water dishes may be too shallow for your crabs to fully submerge in. If this is the case, you can always use Tupperware containers. It may be helpful for you to wrap your lid most of the way with plastic wrap, as it will help to increase the humidity level. Since you are testing the temperature and humidity out, you may want to try that.
4. I personally do not use nighttime lighting, but some crabbers do. I personally do not think that it is necessary since my crabs have access to natural light during the day and darkness after the sun goes down, but others who use a nighttime light do have their reasons, and I am sure they will chime in to help you with the decision to use it or not.
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CrimsonFlamez
Topic author - Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:47 pm
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Oh I forgot to mention, this is the ultratherm heating pad that I had seen so much positive talk about on this forum.
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singlemomwithcrab
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
- Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
NOOOOOO- don't wrap it around. You run the risk of breaking it. It works on electrical currents. It could also be a fire hazard. Just either center it or let it hang off one end. You are definitely safer letting it hang. It doesn't get hot enough to burn anything non-flammable. Just don't store flammables nearby.
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
50 PPs, 1 E
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CrimsonFlamez
Topic author - Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:47 pm
Re: Returning Owner! Need some advice please.
Thanks for that! I will NOT wrap it around.singlemomwithcrab wrote:NOOOOOO- don't wrap it around. You run the risk of breaking it. It works on electrical currents. It could also be a fire hazard. Just either center it or let it hang off one end.
And also I will store the moss I won't use, thanks!