Heating: UTH vs Bulbs

[Crabby Mom]

I've been using 60 watt bulbs to heat my crabitat, but since upgrading to a 40 gallon, the heat seems to be lower than normal. It was a steady 80 degrees, but now seems to be closer to 70. I finally got the humidity regulated and now the temp is off! I'm looking into getting a UTH from Reptile Basics, but have no clue what to get. Anyone use bulbs or UTH to suggest keeping temp around 80 and if so, what should I get for a 40 gallon?

[Happyhermiehome]

I use bulbs. I have a 50g and have one of those double dome light sets. I use a 60watt regular frosted bulb in the day side and a purple/blue 75watt in the night side. The inside of my domes are very reflective and the out side is coated with a black ceramic material and this minimizes heat loss I think. I have both on table lamp dimmer swhiches. I check the temp and raise or lower the swhichs as nessasary. I'm in Northern California and it's not very cold here so 60watt is fine usually but if it gets a bit chilly in the day I also which on the night side and dim it down enough to just give a small heat boost. At night 75watt is plenty. I have a half screen lid and half plexi. The screen side is covered by a piece of card board wrapped in a trash bag I think this really helps with heat and humidity. I also cover my tank with a snuggie if there is a draft or the slider is open which is right near the tank. I really don't have any issues keeping the heat or humidity stable so far. I have bubble pools and 2 large hanging mosspits I being right under the lights so my humidity stays good. My ranges are 80-86 degrees across the tank cool to warm and RH 80 to 85%. I've been crabbing just under a year and the only time I had issues with lights and humidity was when I had a small tank. if where u live is very cold in the winter the best thing would be a UTH and I'm sure someone els will fill u in on all the info u need On that

[GotButterflies]

I don't have time to read any posts, but I use UTHs. They are AWESOME!!! I personally don't like heat lamps because they can make humidity evaporate quickly. Hermit crabs need the humidity to breathe. I also love glass tops, and you cannot use glass tops with heat lamps (unless you want cracked lids). I will try to elaborate later. To each his own, but for me, UTH's are great in the fact that heat is a constant temperature - can be regulated with a rheostat or thermostat - doesn't zap humidity - can be insulated...many pluses in my book - one time purchase - whereas bulbs have to be purchased constantly GTG get ready to help at my son's school...will try to post later

[wodesorel]

I have used both and UTHs won out for how safe they are and the fact I never have to deal with broken bulbs during a snowstorm anymore.

If you keep your home cold in winter or if it is very drafty I would recommend getting a UTH that covers the entire back of the tank. If you keep your house warmer than you can probably get away with one that comes to the substrate line instead. Ultratherms are the ones most recommended, but they are also the only ones who make pads in the length you need so that is an added bonus.

If you really want to stick with bulbs, I would suggest looking to see what the largest one your fixture will safely accept, and then buy a plug in lamp dimmer for around $12 at a hardware store, that will let you fine tune the heat output and not have to guess around with bulb size. It has the added bonus of being able to be stronger or weaker depending on the weather as well!

[Crabby Mom]

Thank you!! I do live in WNY so winter's can be brutal. Can anyone recommend what wattage UTH I should get for my 40 gallon?

[Hermiesguardian]

I have used both and UTHs won out for how safe they are and the fact I never have to deal with broken bulbs during a snowstorm anymore.

If you keep your home cold in winter or if it is very drafty I would recommend getting a UTH that covers the entire back of the tank. If you keep your house warmer than you can probably get away with one that comes to the substrate line instead. Ultratherms are the ones most recommended, but they are also the only ones who make pads in the length you need so that is an added bonus.

If you really want to stick with bulbs, I would suggest looking to see what the largest one your fixture will safely accept, and then buy a plug in lamp dimmer for around $12 at a hardware store, that will let you fine tune the heat output and not have to guess around with bulb size. It has the added bonus of being able to be stronger or weaker depending on the weather as well!

I just set up a 40 gal. Added a bubbler pool. I have a small uth on the back on one side. And a larger uth on the other side. And a moss pit. And a 60 watt bulb on top. I still can't get the heat or humidity up. Oh, and the mesh lid is covered with saran wrap. Tomorrow I'll be putting on a plexiglass sheet.

[Happyhermiehome]

What kind of thermometer and hydrometer are u using? Some times the analog dial ones can be really wonky and the temp strips that stick on the outside are completely useless the only measure they temp on the outside wall of the glass and can't possibly read the inside temp accurately. If u are using one like this it could very likely be the culprit.

[Hermiesguardian]

What kind of thermometer and hydrometer are u using? Some times the analog dial ones can be really wonky and the the temp strips that stick on the outside are completely useless the only measure the temp on the outside wall of the glass and can't possibly read the inside temp accurately. If u are using one like this it could very likely be the culprit.

I have 2, one on each side, of the walmart digital one alot of people recommend. But I just bought a 24 watt heating pad. We'll see!

[Happyhermiehome]

What kind of thermometer and hydrometer are u using? Some times the analog dial ones can be really wonky and the the temp strips that stick on the outside are completely useless the only measure the temp on the outside wall of the glass and can't possibly read the inside temp accurately. If u are using one like this it could very likely be the culprit.

I have 2, one on each side, of the walmart digital one alot of people recommend. But I just bought a 24 watt heating pad. We'll see!

Ohh okay. My next question would be than how long have u had the new 40g set up? It can sometimes take all the moist cold sand awhile to warm up. I have a 50g and and the temp in my home is currently 68 and I'm running a dimmed 60watt bulb and no uth and my current temp reads 84 and humidity 88%. Perhaps it just needs more time to stabilize.

[Hermiesguardian]

What kind of thermometer and hydrometer are u using? Some times the analog dial ones can be really wonky and the the temp strips that stick on the outside are completely useless the only measure the temp on the outside wall of the glass and can't possibly read the inside temp accurately. If u are using one like this it could very likely be the culprit.

I have 2, one on each side, of the walmart digital one alot of people recommend. But I just bought a 24 watt heating pad. We'll see!

Ohh okay. My next question would be than how long have u had the new 40g set up? It can sometimes take all the moist cold sand awhile to warm up. I have a 50g and and the temp in my home is currently 68 and I'm running a dimmed 60watt bulb and no uth and my current temp reads 84 and humidity 88%. Perhaps it just needs more time to stabilize.

4 days. Lol. How is your temp 85 with no uth??

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[Happyhermiehome]

Maybe if it's been chilly it will be a few more days till it totally warms up.

My house is very seldom below 70. I live in northern CA and its usually hot here lol but even when it's not I haven't had any trouble warming my tank with the lights and a snuggie when it's chilly. I also use a extremely accurate digital temp gun to double check my gauge temps daily too. The lights just seem to work well for me! They are good quality ceramic coated domes so maybe that makes a difference And I do have my top sealed fairly well. I planned on eventually upgrading to an Ultratherm Uth just because it would be less to worry about. No replacing bulbs or worrying about them burning out in the middle of a chilly night. But just haven't done it yet. An ultratherm would be a bit of an investment for me at the moment. I managed to score the dome fixtures at a flea market for next to nothing lol and they work fine so I've just put it on the back burner lol.

[wodesorel]

I used to use heat lights and had no trouble keeping the temp up. I only swapped over to UTH on my one tank a few years ago, but they are easier to use and I think safer since we have cats. My large enclosures are in my heated critter room and don't need anything else.