New Owner - Heater Question

[JBVanHorn]

So I'm building my crabitat, and have everything for the 10 gal tank we have. Sufficient substrate, everything.

My concern: I bought a eco-life or zoo something 8wt heating pad. I just realized my tank is acrylic. The pad says to only use on glass. Does anyone actually use it on their acrylic tanks? Probably a very stupid question, but curious. I will be buying the electronic thermostat that will turn it off once it gets to the proper temperature.

Any recommendations or thoughts? Just bite the bullet and maybe get a 15gal glass tank instead?

Thanks,
Joe

[Hermiesguardian]

I would think it would be fine. But someone with more experience may say different. Those heaters really aren't that good. You really need one big enough to cover the entire back from the top of the substrate (6") to the lid. If you can get a larger tank, do it. Everyone will tell you bigger is better. You can find good deals on used tanks.

[JBVanHorn]

Thank you! I will see what others say. It's a pretty big mat. It goes to the lid from the top of the substrate after measuring it. Would cover about a quarter of the tank.

I just dont want to cause a fire in the middle of the night or day, or melt my tank.

Thanks!

[Motörcrab]

I would play it safe and not use it. The heating pad manufacturer says to use on glass only. Be safe, follow the instructions. The chances are it would be safe but there is always a chance of something going wrong.

How many hermits do you currently have? How much room do you have for a tank? Like hermiesguardian said, I always say to buy the biggest tank you can afford and have room for. At 5 gallons per small/medium crab for purples you will only be able to have 3 crabs. Tanks smaller than a 20 are difficult to decorate and squeeze everything crabs need into the space. I don't know how many people stop after one or two upgrades in size. I really like 29's as a good starter size. They aren't huge but they aren't tiny either.

[KrankyKrab]

Joe, I agree. And this is coming from someone who wasted TONS of money and ended up upgrading 3 times.

I wouldn’t play games with the heater. The thermostat will only help with the inside temp regulation. It won’t stop if the acrylic under the mat starts to melt if the tank is still cool enough to not trigger the shut off. They DO make mats now for acrylic - I almost bought one for my acrylic tank when i started.

But I had a 10 and it was just too small for 2. A simple layout will suffice but I felt like a larger tank would add variety and stimulation. So I got the 20 gallon exo tera. And with all the ideas and surprise Hermie siblings I’ve adopted I now use it as a topper for my 65g lol.

I think 29g should be BARE starter, glass and get a GOOD UTH by reptile basics or bean. It’s all costly but a once time start up. Not a costly mistake, troubleshooting mess. Not to mention they are BY FAR superior heaters that actually work.

It’s worth peace of mind with heat safety when you aren’t home. (I even tried the ceramic bulbs and loved it but always felt nervous before developing environment swings).

I WISH I just bit the bullet in the beginning.

Welcome to the Happy Hermie Life


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JBVanHorn]

Thank you all! I havent gotten the hermit crabs yet, just everything needed. The one thing I didnt do enough research on was the tank its self. I though a 10 or 15gal would be fine but didnt think about the heater and type of tank. I'll be going and buying a 20gal glass tank at Petco this weekend. The heater will work on it. We plan on having 3 crabs. 2 medium and a small possibly. This should be sufficient room for them from what I've learned. I have my eco-earth, and sand mix, all the climbing and shells they'll need and so on. Just have to get the proper tank, thermostats, and such and then get the crabs.

Thanks,
Joe

[Motörcrab]

20 gallon tanks can be made to house hermits. They take a good bit of planning to give ample room for two deep water dishes, food and calcium dishes, wheel and a moss pit.

Here's a link to the 20 gallon I made about a year ago. It's holding up well and the crabs use every square inch of the space.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=119491