New Tank-Need Heat info

[KayHasCrabs]

Hey all.

I recently acquired a 45 gallon bow front and I have some questions about heating. Currently my crabs are in a 29 gallon with a Large Repti-Sun UTH on the back that I keep insulated with just foil, and I have a heat lamp as a primary/secondary source for when the tank needs it.

I believe going to have to switch or add another heat source, as the hood light that comes with the tank is just fluorescents, and I don't really want to invest into the cost of heat bulbs for that thing, even if they make them, which I do not know. I would rather stick with UTH's, and just use the hood light for light. The crabs are kept on a four season porch, and in Iowa, during the winter, temps on that porch can dip down as low as 50 degrees. During the summer doesn't concern me as that porch isn't air conditioned and sometimes I can just unplug the heaters as it gets too hot. I have E's and PP's, 5 of them for now.

Should I get another Repti-Sun or should I switch completely to Ultratherm? Or something else? Of course I'm looking for the cheapest options, but I definitely looking for the best heat that is consistent during the winter. Thanks!

[CallaLily]

Ultratherm UTH are great, they come pretty highly recommended. But in winter you're likely going to have difficulty heating the tank regardless of UTH brand, if it gets that cold out there. You may want to look into heating that room or consider moving the crabs to another location.

[wodesorel]

Yep, heating up a tank from 65 is the best I've been able to do with a UTH. Any colder and there won't be enough heat to keep it at safe temps. You might be able to get away with covering the tank in blankets when it gets cold, but crabs do die in temps below 65, so if something went wrong it could be disastrous.

[KayHasCrabs]

Thanks, but according to the family, I'm wrong. During the winter days we keep a pellet burning stove on that porch, but at night it's just house heat on the porch set for 64, and it does well to maintain the temp in that room even with all the windows. I've decided going to invest in an ultratherm, but also make a plexiglass/mesh screen top made for the aquarium that way I can take the current set up off and stick a heat lamp on if I need to. I guess I just realized I'm not going to figure temp for it when it's not winter, and seasons change everything dramatically. Best probably just to deal with it then and just worry about set up right now. Thanks!