Keeping my crabs warm in a cool home..

[CPRESTON]

Due to health issues I'm unable to keep my home above 69 or 70 degrees. I'm totally new to hermit crabs and just got two a few days ago. I have them in a 10 gallon tank with a small heat mat on the back side and just got a moon glow heat bulb and lamp. I've got the humidity around 80%, but the temperature is struggling to stay above 70. I need to know what I can do to remedy the situation so they don't get too cold.

Yes, I've been doing a lot of reading of how to's and hermit care. Not all hermit crab care info give specifics. I need to know what watt bulb do I need for a day lamp and which kind to bring the temperature up?? Also, should I get a bigger heat mat that covers the whole back??

[Rawrgeous]

I don't personally use bulbs, so I don't have any expertise there, but my house is usually 70 and my ultratherm keeps my tank at 80+ degrees with light cardboard insulation. Reptile basics of the be an farm sells them. Other uths just don't cut it, and bulbs tend to sap humidity.

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[JDL_1104]

My house is cool also. I *hate* being hot. I have a 10 gallon tank as well and I stuck a small UTH (ultratherm^) on the back of it above the substrate - I wish I got a bigger one but oh well it's doing ok. It is currently 82 degrees on one side, 75 on the cooler side of the tank. My house is 70. The only thing I can think of that helps a bit in my situation is that I keep the tank in a room that doesn't have the a/c in it and the ceiling fan is "off limits" to use in this room too. The room where the tank is (dining room) is still cool & openly connected to where the a/c is (living room), but it's not a direct hit from the a/c. I'm not sure if you have central air or anything but possibly cover the vent that's near the tank? Or keep it as far away from the "cooling source" as possible?

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[CPRESTON]

Thank you both for your advice. I am going to order an ultratherm heat pad. Trying to figure out which size to go with, the 6X17 maybe? That should cover a little more than half the aquarium.

[GotButterflies]

In the care forums there is a section for lighting and heating that might help you with that area. My crabs are kept in a spare bedroom that is my craft room. I also have a snake in there. I closed the vent to that room. They are by the window. There is a no fan rule in that room, however in the summer it is kept on low for some circulation. I used to keep the door closed also. My tank has the largest zoomed heater on the back of the tank, which covers 1/3 of the tank. I do not use lights. (I live in Florida). Very hot here. That is what I do. Hope something I do can help you! Good luck, and I hope you feel better!