HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have a molter down for 2 weeks now. I'm wanting to warm the substrate a little more but unsure how to go about it. I'm surly certain but not 100% sure (is there a way to be?) of where he is down at.
Is it safe for me to use one of these small hand warmers to stick in the substrate while he is down??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My first reaction is no. It could get punctured by you as you place it. Too much localized heat could kill your crab.

Sent from BigglesLeCrab's phone

I would say no. I wouldn't be digging around the area where you think a crab is molting. That could disturb it, uncover it, and/or collapse the molting pocket and suffocate it.

Also, that thing looks like it is filled with chemicals. I would not put anything that could possible leak toxins into my tank at all.

As an alternative why don't you fill a water bottle with warm water and lay it on the substrate near the molter?

Do you have a heater? Why do you think you need to warm up the substrate?

Can I ask why you're wanting to heat the substrate? As long as the ambient temps in your crabitat are within safe range, the substrate will be fine. In fact, it's more natural for the substrate to be slightly cooler.

CallaLily wrote:Can I ask why you're wanting to heat the substrate? As long as the ambient temps in your crabitat are within safe range, the substrate will be fine. In fact, it's more natural for the substrate to be slightly cooler.

Ok gotcha!! I thought the sub felt a little cooler than the temp in the air of the tank but wasn't sure.

Thanks everyone! I kinda figured it wouldn't be safe using it like that, but wanted to reassure myself that I was thinking right. I have been using a few of them around the outside of the tank at night cause it is still getting a little cooler in the night time around here. But my temp has been staying 75-80.

Giner13 wrote:

CallaLily wrote:Can I ask why you're wanting to heat the substrate? As long as the ambient temps in your crabitat are within safe range, the substrate will be fine. In fact, it's more natural for the substrate to be slightly cooler.

Ok gotcha!! I thought the sub felt a little cooler than the temp in the air of the tank but wasn't sure.

Thanks everyone! I kinda figured it wouldn't be safe using it like that, but wanted to reassure myself that I was thinking right. I have been using a few of them around the outside of the tank at night cause it is still getting a little cooler in the night time around here. But my temp has been staying 75-80.

crabs actually dig down into the sub, if they are too warm. As long as your heat is maintaining about 80 above ground, your sub temp should be just fine!

marandashermies wrote:

Giner13 wrote:

CallaLily wrote:Can I ask why you're wanting to heat the substrate? As long as the ambient temps in your crabitat are within safe range, the substrate will be fine. In fact, it's more natural for the substrate to be slightly cooler.

Ok gotcha!! I thought the sub felt a little cooler than the temp in the air of the tank but wasn't sure.

Thanks everyone! I kinda figured it wouldn't be safe using it like that, but wanted to reassure myself that I was thinking right. I have been using a few of them around the outside of the tank at night cause it is still getting a little cooler in the night time around here. But my temp has been staying 75-80.

crabs actually dig down into the sub, if they are too warm. As long as your heat is maintaining about 80 above ground, your sub temp should be just fine!

Awesome thanks!

I would like to post an interesting experiment I tried the other day which I thought may be relevant to this topic. With my 2.5 g tank (empty but with sub in it still from previous molter). I unhooked the UTH for over 24 hours with the top open so the whole thing was room temp. Then I placed two adhesive backed body warmers onto the outside walls of the tank - took up maybe 2/3rds of the tank wall space on that side. Then just placed a strip of aluminum foil covering that side and up to top of glass top. Within a couple of hours, the tank temp went from 72-76 degrees!!! This was great to know for me since our power tends to go out frequently with storms so I like to plan in advance! I also got a roll of the reflextix other HCA members have previously recommended - good to have on hand as well! Just thought I would share

Kermie16 wrote:I would like to post an interesting experiment I tried the other day which I thought may be relevant to this topic. With my 2.5 g tank (empty but with sub in it still from previous molter). I unhooked the UTH for over 24 hours with the top open so the whole thing was room temp. Then I placed two adhesive backed body warmers onto the outside walls of the tank - took up maybe 2/3rds of the tank wall space on that side. Then just placed a strip of aluminum foil covering that side and up to top of glass top. Within a couple of hours, the tank temp went from 72-76 degrees!!! This was great to know for me since our power tends to go out frequently with storms so I like to plan in advance! I also got a roll of the reflextix other HCA members have previously recommended - good to have on hand as well! Just thought I would share

That's good to know!!