HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok so I still flipping between setting up my 30 g or my 60g tanks. The only concern I have about the 60 g is that it I only have a regular aquarium lid for it and I don't think I can put a heat light in that. Is there another way I can add a heat light to the tank? Should I consider using UTH ? I assume it would take a very large one to get the temp right. It would prevent me from making a nice big background for the tank also.......any suggestions?

Mounting the lamp so it shines in from the side may work for you.
For example:

Found here:viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92543

If not, a UTH may be the way to go. I use an Ultratherm on one of my crabitats with good results. I have it insulated and the temp is well up into the 80s in that tank right now with no other sources.

ok maybe the UTH is a better idea. I assume your tank is a large one? what size UTH should be used for a 60g? can I put it on the side of the tank and expect the same results or do I need to put on the back? I would really like to make a back ground like in some of the tutorials on the DIY forum here. If I cant expect the same heat from just the side panel of the tank, maybe I could design my background to allow for a UTH on the opposite side of the tank and use smaller UTHY instead.

That tank is a 40B with an exo terra topper. It's usually recommended to get the largest UTH you can fit on the back of your tank - all or mostly above the substrate line. I haven't tried side mounting a UTH since I had very small crabitats so I'm not sure on that one.

Most likely, side mounting a UTH will result in a warm spot and then on the other side a cooler to room temperature spot in a larger tank. Best thing to do is the back, maybe substituting it with some heat lamps if your looking for a background. Maybe instead of doing a "rock like" wall, maybe just do a "heavy foliage" so most of the heat still gets through?