HCA: Hermit Crab Association

We ordered new Ultratherms from Reptile Basics earlier this week. 11 X 47 and 11 X 11.

These appear to be two solid heating elements instead of the stripe designs I have received in the past from The Bean Farm.

Did anyone else see this style yet?

I am thinking, yea scary thought, that since there is more surface area these may heat better than the striped design.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

No, I haven't seen this design. I wonder of that design has always existed alongside the striped design, or if it is in fact new...

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using Tapatalk

Correct me if I am wrong, but I swear the smaller UTH comes in mostly a solid black, while the larger ones (longer) come in striped.

Regardless, they'll heat the same. Its not the black that heats the tank, rather the wire inside.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

That is what mine looks like...the largest size available.

Sent from my VS996 using Tapatalk

I have an 11 x 47 in both types now. We also have one that fits a 20 tall that is the striped we had for a while.

The design of these just threw me off compared to the ones I had. We will be setting up the 55 gallon tomorrow so I should be able to see if there is any difference.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Yep! I’ve ordered from both reptile basics and the bean farm. My one for my 40 gallon from reptile basics looks just like that, while my 75 gallon from the bean farm is striped. They’re both great and I don’t notice a difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Both of mine look like what you pictured above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m in the process of setting up my new 55 gal now. I ordered a 11X35 ( which was a suggested size from the site)and it came in a strip. I ordered mine about a month ago. Not sure if they had changed designs. The pamphlet that came with it mentiones mats and strips.

Since we are on the subject of the UTH, I was hoping a more experienced person than myself could help with some info about the Ultratherm. I’m still a newbie to crabbing.

Question 1: which direction does the UTH face? Meaning one side has clear edges and the other is more gold/bronze.

Question 2: about insulating the UTH. Would styrofoam work and how think should it be. I want to attach the heater today to get it accumulated for the transfer of the crabs.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

We JUST set up a 55 gallon on the weekend using two Ultratherms.

The copper side faces away from he tank. (One side where the cord attaches is flatter and that goes against the tank)

We used Poly Pro Insulation for around ours. It's insulation for home construction. One side is silver and the other side is dark grey. We put the grey side against the tank. The stuff we go was around $10 for a 4X8 sheet.

Thank you for the info.

That is what the UTHs look like from reptile basics The stripe design is bean farm

Ronbo0032 wrote:I’m in the process of setting up my new 55 gal now. I ordered a 11X35 ( which was a suggested size from the site)and it came in a strip. I ordered mine about a month ago. Not sure if they had changed designs. The pamphlet that came with it mentiones mats and strips.

Since we are on the subject of the UTH, I was hoping a more experienced person than myself could help with some info about the Ultratherm. I’m still a newbie to crabbing.

Question 1: which direction does the UTH face? Meaning one side has clear edges and the other is more gold/bronze.

Question 2: about insulating the UTH. Would styrofoam work and how think should it be. I want to attach the heater today to get it accumulated for the transfer of the crabs.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

For question 1 - what brand did you buy? Usually the gold bronze is going to face the inside of the tank.
For question 2 - first you want to do aluminum foil - shiny side facing crabitat. Then you want to do styrofoam or cardboard. If necessary repeat process. OR IF YOU PREFER, you can purchase a product called Reflectix (they make the insulation and tape) The insulation will look like a foldable car shade. It is sold in rolls for approx $14-$16. I personally prefer Reflectix. It is reusable every year. I cut it to the size of my crabitats, and then when I don't need it, I roll it up and store it in my closet. Minimal work on my part. The UTHs, and insulation can be put up using packaging tape, duct tape or insulation tape.

Edit: If you have a Zoomed heater or any other heater that is similar style to that DO NOT INSULATE OVER IT. it is a fire hazard to do so. You need to insulate around them.

GotButterflies wrote:That is what the UTHs look like from reptile basics The stripe design is bean farm

I never knew they offered two types like that. I just figured an Ultratherm was the same no matter where it came from.

They both seem to work about the same from what we noticed so far.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

They do work the same.

I purchased the ultratherm from reptile basics. It’s been chaotic in the house here due to holidays and Birthday’s lately so I didn’t check the messages. I actually attached it before I read your post so I don’t think I put the gold/bronze side in. It seems to be working okay. It seemed to fit better with the flatter piece where the cord goes in against the glass. I bought a sheet of polystyrene and cut it to fit. The temp seems to be okay, generally in the 80’s. I have it on a timer so it’s cooler durning the day when they are not active. The timer is on generally from 4pm till 5am. Does that seem like a good idea?? Or should the heat be left on longer or all day. It is colder where I live right now but the temp in the tank doesn’t go below 72 when the heater is off.

I am learning so much from reading the forums and still have a lot of questions. Just want to make sure i’m doing things right. Just want to thank everyone for all the great info.