HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I am setting up a 10 gal crab tank, any suggestion on the size of the UTH I should get and wattage? Also, do I need a thermostat on it? Any suggestion on preferred brand?

Thank you in advance for your help.

The brand Ultratherm is highly recommended here. They are only sold online at bean farm, Amazon ect. They will normally heat the tank if they are insulated with something like Styrofoam, cardboard, and or aluminum foil. If the tank gets too hot you can buy a thermostat, but it's not usually needed.
The size you should go for is whatever will completely cover the back of the tank from the top of the substrate to the lid.
Hope this helps

Reptile basics is also a good place to get an Ultratherm from what I understand, shipping is less than Bean Farm.

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I've had perfect results from the Flukers 11x11 inch pads. I bought mine in the sale room at Petco for $15. It runs too hot in summer so I unplug it (no a/c) but in winter it's perfect.

Do the ultrathin and flukes come with adhesive.?

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littletechcrab wrote:Do the ultrathin and flukes come with adhesive.?

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Flukers and ZooMed have adhesive backing but the Ultratherm does not. This is actually an advantage as it allows for easy placement adjustment or removal and reattachment to a different tank. Those of us using Ultratherms (quite a lot) just use duck tape or clear packing tape to hold the unit onto the back of the tank.

I'll also second @soilentgringa's response: ReptileBasics is an excellent source for Ultratherms as the prices are very good and the shipping charges are lower than Bean Farm or Amazon.

The Fluker pads I have do not have adhesive. They're built double sided, same as Ultratherms.

Thanks everyone for your information. So it safe to use packing tape or duct tape on the ultratherms?... I just got the tank setup for outside, it is pretty warm hear and Tank already switch shells. how cool!!!!Think I will go with the ultrtherm on my ten gallon tank. You guys and gals are so helpful.

One more question should the pad be above the sand level or on the sand on the outside of the tank?

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If it comes down below the substrate level, it will dry it out faster. You can just keep a close eye on it, moistening as needed (be cautious spraying cooler water on/near hot glass though) or you can choose a size UTH that fits above the substrate line (which, imo, is preferable if you can do it).

Yea I was thinking the same CallaLily, I was going to get the 6 by 11 ultratherm and put it above the sand line on my 10 gallon tank. I think that should be good. Thank you so much for your help and advice, and to everyone one else here.

I was advised to put my mini zoo med under my tank on one end. I have a ten gal. Where should it be and how do you moisten it with spray bottle or what? Thx


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GingerH wrote:I was advised to put my mini zoo med under my tank on one end. I have a ten gal. Where should it be and how do you moisten it with spray bottle or what? Thx


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Hi! Don't ever put the uth under the tank if you are using it for hermit crabs. They aren't designed to heat through several inches of substrate and can overheat crabs as well as catch fire. The sub is supposed to be cooler than the air as it is in nature. If they get too warm up top they will dig down into the sand.

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Should I put it on back of tank? Where is best place? Should I get a bigger one? So I can just spray to keep wet?


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GingerH wrote:Should I put it on back of tank? Where is best place? Should I get a bigger one? So I can just spray to keep wet?


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Here is a link to the care guides:

viewtopic.php?t=92457

You want the sand to be sandcastle consistency. It should hold it's shape when moist and not be runny or drippy. The crabs make caves and tunnels under ground and you don't want them to collapse. Your UTH should be attached to the back of the tank with as much of it above the substrate as possible. Ideally you want a heat pad that covers most of the back of the tank but depending on wattage and heat output you could have a smaller one and insulate it (if it is a brand that is safe to be insulated). If you need to mist the tank for humidity you want to use dechlorinated water and make sure that you don't overspray.

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