Heat bulb wattage

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sandrac213
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Heat bulb wattage

Post by sandrac213 » Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:42 am

Can anyone tell me what wattage bulb they use for a 20 gallon tank? I am using a 40 watt bulb but it doesn't seem to be keeping the heat up to where it should be. During the day it's fine, but in the mornings I come in and the heat is around 75 degrees. Should I go to a higher wattage? Maybe 60 watt? Thank you for any assistance.

Sandra

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KayedeeLove<3
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by KayedeeLove<3 » Fri Sep 02, 2016 10:42 pm

Idk what wattage just keep a close eye on your humidity as bulbs have the potential to destroy it.

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sandrac213
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by sandrac213 » Sat Sep 03, 2016 9:48 am

yes, I've noticed that. I'm having to mist the tank 3-4 times a day now and keep the sponges wet

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NLindsey921
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by NLindsey921 » Tue Sep 06, 2016 12:14 pm

I use a 60 watt bulb in my 20 tank

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aussieJJDude
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by aussieJJDude » Fri Sep 09, 2016 6:32 am

Is the heat bulb you're only heating source? What type of heat bulb? During the day, does the heat rise? If so, how much? (If the temps drop at night, its fine... also beneficial in a way. Where the crabs come from, often the temp falls by a few degrees at night, so I don't think ti would be devestating for the crabs to have a drop in temp at night.)
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Topic author
sandrac213
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by sandrac213 » Fri Sep 09, 2016 7:50 am

I also have a heat pad on the side of the tank. I changed the bulb from the moon glow to the red and it seems to be more consistent. The problem I'm having is keeping the humidity around 80, it sometimes drops to 70%. I'm also having to refill my salt water pool a couple of times a day because the water is just evaporating.

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hermitharbor
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by hermitharbor » Fri Sep 09, 2016 10:25 am

I know with my hood, I have all of the holes and slots covered up so that the heat and humidity stays trapped. I would make your top as airtight as possible if it isn't already. Also maybe you could try saran wrap? That seems to work for a lot of people :)
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cmaks
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Heat bulb wattage/ uvb needs

Post by cmaks » Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:45 pm

Still setting up my crabitat and am new to hermit crabs. My turtle has an extra 10.0 uva/uvb bulb. Would that work for my crabitat as well or do I need a 2.0 since they are nocturnal or a 5.0 since my light is about 18" from the top of the soil (55 gal tank). Also, will a 100w ceramic bulb in a hood with a dimmer switch work or might I need a higher wattage for this tank?

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KayedeeLove<3
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Re: Heat bulb wattage

Post by KayedeeLove<3 » Mon Sep 12, 2016 10:37 pm

Guys ive bought every kind of bulb and nothing works like my ultra therm! My advice is eat it and spend the money on it, they really do the job! You can insulate to fluctuate temp and it doesnt dry out your sub. If your having a problem with humidity from this eventually it may potentially dry out your sub So much that your crabs tunnels will start collapsing. From there your have to excavate the tank, iso molters, remix sub, put everything back, pray your iso'd crabs make it, and still buy an ultra therm -__-
Been there and got lucky that both molters lived and thats just because i had everything i needed on hand. It was the scariest two months ever. Right now, before it gets to that soak the tank down real good with a mister for a couple days and invest in the heat pad. Hope this helps :)

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