HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Has anyone ever attempted building a plywood terrarium? My only concern would be how you would heat it. Ceramic heat emitters?

I am thinking of building a plywood terrarium because I feel it would give me more customization options in sizing. I know I would need to seal it well with a water proof epoxy paint and silicone the edges after most likely.

Currently my 3 crabs are in a 40 gallon breeder tank and I just want to offer something bigger with maybe more climbing height.

What would be the best option in heating though, as I don't feel safe with sticking a UTH onto plywood. Any suggestions would be great!

Yeah, multiple crabbers have. Many/majority in the EU!


To heat, most use CHE but I know some crabbers use heat cables as well. Reptile keepers use radiant heat panels, which is another option. Heat mats *could* be used, but honestly, once you start building big (it's really only cost effective over 100g or more tbh) mats simply don't cut it.

Here's one build (from here that I could find)

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=74449

My display case crabitat has a plywood base. I stained it green, and sealed with two-part Envirotex Lite epoxy. For heating I used a heat bulb, but if I did it again I'd probably go with a radiant heat panel, or if the crabs had no way to reach it then a ceramic heat emitter. It took very little energy to heat from the inside, a 40W was more than enough to keep 135 gallons toasty in our drafty house. (Granted, having it directly overtop where the furnace is in the basement kept the bottom a bit warm, too!)