I moved my tank... *And now I've cracked the glass top

[karlys]

Hello,

I had to forcefully push my heavy 75 gallon + topper tank a few inches away from the wall in order to get the UTH on there. (It's finally dropping below 75 in their tat). I did it without thinking about the potential for collapsing tunnels.

I have at least 3 crabs down. One is definitely molting but I think the other two are just hanging out.

Did I just mess up big time? Should I go digging?

[wodesorel]

You should be fine. Those tanks are, well, tanks, and there is not a huge risk of collapse unless their enclosure is being bounced around or has sides that flex.

[karlys]

I only thought about it because my bf made a coy comment like, "I bet they [the crabs] were all like, 'Noooo, an earthquake!'"

But, good, I'm glad to know that I probably didn't do something terrible. On a related note, it was good that I had the instinct to put the UTH on last night. Even with it, their tank was 68 when I woke up and the gauge said it had a low of 66.

Guess who's on her way to Home Depot for reflectix before work?

[karlys]

Went out, bought Reflextix, put it up...

After 20-30 mins, temp gauge hadn't moved. My brilliant idea was to put a ceramic heat emitter on top of the tank for the remaining 30-45 mins I had before I had to leave for work. I thought it would be okay because I have it on a dimmer. While I'm getting dressed, I hear a crack and immediately knew what had happened. I feel so stupid. It took forever to find, receive in the mail, and $60 to get this top.

If I never want to open it again, it'll be fine... but I usually spray them and can only access their moss pits that way. I'll have to deal with it when I get home because, now, I might be late for posting this. I was thinking maybe I could tape the heck out of it and maybe it'll be stable enough.

Any suggestions?

[wodesorel]

Ugh. I would have cried!

You might be able to get away with tape. Packing tape, especially the extra thick kind from Duct works really well on glass. I have a few taped up shattered 10 gallons that I use for feeder insects and they even hold up to regular washings.

With a tank that large it takes hours to even out. Large thermal masses do not like to move quickly. Since hot air rises you may have to additional heating to keep it warmer near the substrate or everything may end up collecting in the topper. Is the room they are kept in that cold? The tank shouldn't ever manage to be colder than the room, if it is it may be leaking too much humidity too quickly causing an evaporation cooling effect.

[karlys]

Yeah, it was not a great start to the day.

I'm going to go out and get some of that tape you suggested tomorrow. If all else fails, I'll just avoid using it until after the holidays and can better afford replacing it.

When I came home, it had only risen to 73 degrees but that's the same as the room that the tank is in. I put the UTH copper facing out. That's correct, right?

I'll see what it gets up to by tomorrow morning but I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy another heater.

[LadyJinglyJones]

If you've got another thermometer kicking around it may be worth it to compare temps, or see if the heat is collecting somewhere in the tank.

I cracked the corner off my lid too, and packing tape, while ugly, works well. :roll:

[karlys]

Update: it has finally risen to a nice 81 degrees. Wode was right about it needing hours (upon hours) to even out in a large tank. It's crazy how much the reflectix helps!

I haven't had the time to get the tape yet but it's on the agenda for tomorrow. Luckily, the crack doesn't seem to be affecting the humidity.

[AwesomeHermit]

Nice!

[GotButterflies]

I love Reflectix!! So sorry about the top!! Glad everything is worked out now!!! How in the world did you move a 75 gallon tank?

[karlys]

Lol! I didn't think I could do it but thought I'd try before asking the bf for help. I had to lean into it a bit but it's on a wooden stand on tile, so it easily slid after a certain point.

[GotButterflies]

Lol! I didn't think I could do it but thought I'd try before asking the bf for help. I had to lean into it a bit but it's on a wooden stand on tile, so it easily slid after a certain point.

I suppose tile would be easier than carpet!!

[karlys]

Would you guys say it's okay that it fluctuates from a high of 81 during the day to a low of 73 at night or should I get another heater?

[wodesorel]

I don't think your temps are dangerous but you may not see as much activity. They do better either with constant temps above 75, or with a higher day temp with a night drop.

Is there a reason it is fluctuating so much? 8 degrees is pretty substantial.

[karlys]

I'll probably get another one then.

I think it's because my house fluctuates so much but I'm not entirely sure. I mean, I live in the desert so it's dropping to 40-50 at night outside but is still high 70s during the day. My house can drop into the high 50s-low 60s at night and gets into the 70s during the day. That's all without any heating or air conditioning.