HCA: Hermit Crab Association

sorry if this is a repeat topic... but what is the best UTH for a 20 gallon? Right now I have a ZooMed one for 30-40 gallons... stupid piece of... it raises the temp like three degrees... UGH!

anyone know of a good one for a 20 gallon tank?? brand name, size... i'm thinking of an exo-terra 25 watts. once i get a new UTH i'm moving the one i have on the 20 gal to the 10 gal ISO.

help..?

First of all, how much sand is over it? I have like less than an inch of sand over the uth and it heats nicely. I can't remember the brand tho...

well, I just mount mine on the side of the tank, about half an inch up from the top of the sand so my crabs don't burn themselves. however, my substrate is about two or three inches deep. one third is FB and two thirds is sand

u don't know the brand?? hmm... do you know the wattage? the measurements? and how big is your tank??

There isn't a noticeable difference between the brands. If you want an UTH as your only heat source, it's probably going to need to be huge, to the point where it would be more practical to get better lights (assuming you're already using lights - you should be) or a ceramic heat emitter.

my uth is for a 20 gal, and I have it on the bottom of my tank, with a thin layer of sand over it. that way, one end of my tank is about 85, and the other is in the lower 70's - the crabs move between the temps as they like, and there is a second level, so it is easier for them to get whatever temp they want.

in the morning I will post the length width wattage and all that jazz!

Gorthaur ~ what did you mean by should be using lights?

layne_d wrote: Gorthaur ~ what did you mean by should be using lights?

Well in the wild when they dig it gets colder as they dig so that might help them cool down if you use lights instead of a UTH.

Also certain lights give off beneficial UVA and UVB light if the hermies don't have access to sunlight.

But lights also work as a decent way to heat a cage.

I think I'm gonna get another heat mat, probably an exo-terra or something. cheaper than zoomed

I can't really put lights on the tat. I have no where to put the lamp, my parents won't pay for the energy costs, and i've heard lights dry out the air.

edit: just thinking... kinda short on money right now... would it really be worth it to get another mat? right now the tat is at about 70-73 degrees, and the hermies seem perfectly fine with it. its been like that for a while, they don't seem to mind as all... they are active n stuff.

any opinions?

The Zoo-Med Economy Reptile Hood is only $28 and accomodates two bulbs, for a day-glo and moon-glo. I'd suggest saving your money to buy that instead of another UTH. Lights would definitely heat the 'tat much better, and your crabs would get the added benefits of a natural day/night cycle, a way to bask, and the healthy effects of UV.

OK... that might be better. Question... where do I get one? What wattage should I get for the two bulbs? Around here (and everywhere else I think) any bulbs that are 40 watts and lower are the tubular form. Should I just get a 75 watt?


i was looking around... i found a desk lamp. if i...erm... 'borrow'... my dads tools I can probably fix it to the table next to the tank. i can just switch out the bulbs daily.

during the summer, what should i do about the bulbs? the hermies might not miss the day glo but will the lack of a moon glo bulb be an issue? (this is, of course, assuming that leaving it on will make it WAAAY too hot in the tank!!!)

panther_shadow83 wrote:OK... that might be better. Question... where do I get one? What wattage should I get for the two bulbs? Around here (and everywhere else I think) any bulbs that are 40 watts and lower are the tubular form. Should I just get a 75 watt?

It depends on how big your tank is.

Usually it's one watt per gallon.

i edited my post... lol halfway through i walked away for like ten minutes, you might wanna read it again just to be up to date... w00t

anyways, i have a 20 gallon. i would be relying on these bulbs to make a difference... my house is kept at 69 degrees in the winter. this is not suitable for crabs, so i got the heating pads which make a little bit of a difference. would a 75 watt fry the crabs? anything lower than that and i can't find a bulb thats not shaped like a tube. and i can't go out buying very expensive bulb mounts, i had to quit my babysitting job so i'm replying on my x-mas money to get this stuff (and feed meh gerbils hehe). so... yeah

75 watts for a 20 gallon tank would be to strong to place on top of the cage.

Might I ask why you don't wish to use tube shaped bulbs?

Check this link for the price on light bulbs, they are quite cheap and can be bought at many pet stores.

Linky

well, i can't find a bulb holder for the tube bulbs. got any suggestions??

panther_shadow83 wrote:well, i can't find a bulb holder for the tube bulbs. got any suggestions??

Do the tube bulbs not fit in the lamp?

And as for during summer you won't need to keep the moon glo on during the night as long as it is warm enough and they have access to sunlight during the day.

The moonglow usually is to keep the cage warm during the night without making to much light during the night so you can sleep or to make your hermies active during the day since they respond well to the glow it makes.

well, the lamp has warnings on them saying that to (and i quote!) 'prevent risk of fire use TYPE A (round, not tubular... they have a nice picture ) bulbs.'

so is this a legitimate warning? i don't want my house to catch on fire...

edit:
how much of a difference will a twenty watt bulb make in a twenty gallon? as in, how high will it raise the temp? if someone can tell me from experience, that would be great.