Heating

[Cutepetgroomer]

Okay I know the day temperature should be about 80 degrees f but my tank is having problems getting there. I have added some foil around the uth (it's a 4 watt) and I have 40 watt day bulb. I know my night bulb being a 15 watt will have to change. Any suggestions to help with the temperature is appreciated

[soilentgringa]

Okay I know the day temperature should be about 80 degrees f but my tank is having problems getting there. I have added some foil around the uth (it's a 4 watt) and I have 40 watt day bulb. I know my night bulb being a 15 watt will have to change. Any suggestions to help with the temperature is appreciated

Please remind us what size your tank is? I would personally recommend an Ultratherm but I know other people have had success with the Flukers brand UTH's as well.

[Cutepetgroomer]

20 gallon long.. It's 30 inches in length

[courtbri]

I have a 20 L as well and I have to use a large, medium and small UTH. Plus the entire tank except the front and one end is wrapped in foil. The back even has foam insulation. I barely hit 80 with all that. I'm out of ideas myself


Crabbing for 2 years-still obsessed! 6 total crustacean kids. Gave up trying to tell them apart but I love them all.

[casssch]

I had to get a 20 degree temp increase for my crabitat to hit 80. I have a 20g tall. I have a 6x23 ultratherm on the back above the substrate, foil over it, then black foam posterboard covered in foil over the entire back of the tank. On one side I have a small zoomed heater, not insulated (I'm not sure it could be), but below that heater I have the black foam posterboard covering the substrate. The front of the tank has the foam over the substrate, same as the other side. My lid is a wire lid, and this is where it finally bumped up the last couple degrees, as well as helped seal my humidity. I have a damp (get wet, ring out as much as possible) hand towel covering the lid, foil over the towel, and then I have a bath towel folded to cover the foil, and a couple baby receiving blankets. At night I cover the front of the tank with one of the blankets. I haven't had to rewet the towel since the first time, and it is very much dry now, but at the time it seemed necessary to boost my humidity back up. Now it won't go lower than 85%.

[Cutepetgroomer]

I'm just a couple degrees short of 80 f . I'm pretty sure I just need a bigger uth for the day temp to be spot on. My night temp I know will improve with a higher wattage bulb. My day temp seems to be at 78 f my night temp drops to the 60s practically

[Cutepetgroomer]

I beleive I have as close to 80 f as I'll get with my 4 watt uth and 40 watt day bulb. I will be getting a proper dome instead of using the desk lamp for the light. I know slightly higher wattage will get me there but my crabs have been fair active still so I must be doing something right.

[Cutepetgroomer]

I actually managed to get the day temp at 83 f yesterday. And my night temp didn't get lower than 75ish. Feeling good knowing that I managed to do it .

[YYWW]

Great! That ramge is good [enough] as long as it is accurate you are good to go! Wishing you lots of stability and consistency!


Crabbers unite!!!

[CallaLily]

Hmm. I could have swore I replied already...

What species do you have?

[Cutepetgroomer]

Purple pinchers are the species I have.

[Cutepetgroomer]

I actually had to unplug my uth. Been unplugged for a few hours and temp barely is at 78. I'm thinking since it's getting Warmer during the day now that is playing a factor.

[YYWW]

78 is good. Just watch out for any dips on a periodic basis.


Crabbers unite!!!

[CallaLily]

Yep, 78F is good for PPs. Have you tried moving your thermometer around to get readings in different areas of the tank?

I don't usually look forward to very warm weather but it definitely makes getting and keeping temps so much easier!

[Cutepetgroomer]

Yeah there is definitely a temperature gradient so they have a side cooler if they want to be on that side . Woke up this morning and the night temp stayed at around 78. Be interesting to see day temp today without the uth.