Heating

[happykittylover]

Hello. I have my two purple pinchers in a temporary 5 gal. crabitat currently (bigger tank shattered) Their tank conditions were great in the summer but now that winter is coming around it's getting chilly and I fear my crabs won't survive unless I can warm their tank up again. I have a 15 watt lightbulb that has kept the temp. at a good level but it isn't working so well for winter. I tried using a 25 watt but it ended up melting the light fixture and it got too hot in the tank. What are other ways of heating the tank in the winter? P.S. I can't use a under the tank heating pad. My cats chew wires and they are reported to cause fires. My tank is on a wooden stand and I don't want to risk ANYTHING that mught endanger anyone. Please help it's much appreciated.

[soilentgringa]

Honestly the best way to heat the tank is an under tank heater. Ultratherm is the most popular/best rated brand and is what many of us use. You never put them under the tank anyway, they are attached to the back glass above the line of substrate. Lamps pose just as much of a fire hazard as a UTH and also have cords so I don't see what the difference would be. Your crabs should be at a minimum of 80°F year round.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[soilentgringa]

Here is the guide about lighting:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=93828

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[CallaLily]

Another option, if costs are holding you back from getting them a new larger tank, is a plastic storage bin. They make good temporary setups and you can use a UTH safely on them (like SG said - on the outside back, never the bottom). They're usually pretty good at holding in humidity too.

I know heating was your concern but I wanted to mention the bin option since they're in such a small tank because their other one broke.

[wodesorel]

Yep, a good quality UTH on the back of the tank is your best bet. A whole lot safer than using a heat bulb in a underrated fixture. If the cats are being dingbats and not leaving the wires alone, cord protectors are cheap from Home Depot! Personally, I have a bottle of Bitter Apple (sold for dogs to keep them from chewing hotspots on their own bodies) and spray down everything I can think of that the cats will chew. It tastes horrible and they don't go back for seconds.

[happykittylover]

Okay thanks everyone X3 my cats are pretty crazy but the spray should help. Until I get an under the tank (side) heater would I be able to use my old 10 gal fish tank heater somehow? I'm earning my own money now and my dad doesn't get payed as much so I'm kind of stuck for now. I will look into the bin too. My sister just got rid of one I think I can use if my parents don't mind.

[wodesorel]

It's too dangerous to use a fish tank heater - something made for 10 gallons needs to be in 10 gallons of water or it can overheat and explode.

[happykittylover]

Okay thanks I'm glad I asked first