HCA: Hermit Crab Association

As I work on improving my crabitat I am stuck on heating. I have a 10 gallon glass tank. Currently, I use a ZooMed UTH that is attached to the back side of my tank. It sits above my substrate and covers half of the glass. I don't think it really changes the temp in the tank though. Currently the tank stays about 73-75 degrees depending on how our a/c is set. My thermoter (digital) sits on the opposite side of the tank, but unless it's right in front of the UTH that's a pretty consistent temp for the entire tank. I know this is on the cool side for happy crabs. I definitely want to improve this before winter comes because the house will be about 5 degrees cooler and that will be far too cool. So, my thoughts and questions...

1)To be economical, should I just get a second ZooMed heat pad? I could either put it on the rest of the back, or I could put it on a short side. My worry here is that it just won't heat the tank enough, since one isn't really doing anything.

2) get a larger ZooMed UTH heat pad? Maybe one bigger one would heat better? Guess I'm wondering here if the brand is the problem.

3) and if the ZooMed brand is the issue, what should I get instead? I think I've heard about Ultratherm. Is it really that much better? I've read where people insulate this brand? Is that because you have to in order to get it to heat?

Anything else you can tell me about using the UTH heat pads would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to deal with lights as a heat source. Thanks!

Zoomed is outrageous on pricing and does a lot less in actually raising the temp. If you use www.reptilebasics.com they provide the recommended ultratherm brand heating pads. Also, if it doesn't bring the heat up enough (which it should) you can insulate it with Aluminium Foil, card board, and/or Styrofoam. They are cheaper than zoomed is. Hope this helps!

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alhj wrote:As I work on improving my crabitat I am stuck on heating. I have a 10 gallon glass tank. Currently, I use a ZooMed UTH that is attached to the back side of my tank. It sits above my substrate and covers half of the glass. I don't think it really changes the temp in the tank though. Currently the tank stays about 73-75 degrees depending on how our a/c is set. My thermoter (digital) sits on the opposite side of the tank, but unless it's right in front of the UTH that's a pretty consistent temp for the entire tank. I know this is on the cool side for happy crabs. I definitely want to improve this before winter comes because the house will be about 5 degrees cooler and that will be far too cool. So, my thoughts and questions...

1)To be economical, should I just get a second ZooMed heat pad? I could either put it on the rest of the back, or I could put it on a short side. My worry here is that it just won't heat the tank enough, since one isn't really doing anything.

2) get a larger ZooMed UTH heat pad? Maybe one bigger one would heat better? Guess I'm wondering here if the brand is the problem.

3) and if the ZooMed brand is the issue, what should I get instead? I think I've heard about Ultratherm. Is it really that much better? I've read where people insulate this brand? Is that because you have to in order to get it to heat?

Anything else you can tell me about using the UTH heat pads would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to deal with lights as a heat source. Thanks!

zoomed /petsmart heating pads are pointless wastes of time (believe me i learned my lesson and wasted money).
Bean farm sells ultratherm pads, which fit to the back of the tank. I would get one thats slightly larger (not by much)
to out put a little extra heat if you are worried about super cold weather coming in the winter. I live in NJ and we get some
harsh cold winters here (and hot summers) so i went a little larger. Than you tape on the pad to the back of the tank
with the copper wire facing out, with duct tape and or clear packing tape. And you can insulate it by putting tin foil over it
than some styrofoam and a layer or cardboard for even more insulation after that. I purchased my ultratherm pad from bean farm
on amazon i think it was around 20 bucks or so totally worth it.

Most of us use Ultratherms.

Reptile Basics usually has the best prices.

You want it to be as large as the back of the tank, with as much of it above the substrate level as possible. You do not want it to extend all the way down to the bottom of the tank, and you do not want it to extend past the edges of the tank.

Ultratherms and Flukers mats can be insulated. Zoo Med cannot.