Placement of Temperature probe, Hydrometer, and Temperature Gauge

[Becca24]

Hi!
I am almost ready to set up my 40 gallon “front doors” tank. It’s something I’ve been planning out for a while. I have everything ready to go in, and start heating the tank to get the right levels. As far as the temperature probe for my heat mat, where would be the best placement for it? Should it touch the substrate? Should the hydrometer and temperature gauge also be near the ground, inside the tank? Thanks again for all the help. So glad I know people that are invested into hermit crabs as much as I am <3
-Becca

[DragonsFly]

Temp and humidity gauge placement depends on how many you have. If you only have one, you should probably put it in the place you expect will be the coolest and dry-est place in the tank (that way you will know that anywhere else is likely to be warmer and more humid). So, not near the heat mat, and not near water sources. Since the heat mat tends to dry out the area near it, putting a water source with a bubbler or fountain near the heat mat is usually a good idea. I have my fresh water source in the corner where I have heat mats on the back and side of my 120g (the "jungle side" of the tank); and the salt water source over on the "beach side" of the tank (both water sources are bubble pools right now). I have two temp/humidity "weather stations" in the tank, one in the farthest corner from both heat mats and either pool, and one in the middle of the "jungle side."

Putting the temp/humidity "weather station" right on the substrate is best, as that is where the crabs will typically be spending the most time (also warm air rises, so higher up is likely to be warmer). I'm pretty paranoid about temp and humidity, having had a real struggle with those early on (I originally ended up with rescue crabs in late fall/winter, knowing nothing about them), so I usually have a least two "weather stations") in any given tank. It's interesting to see how the temp and humidity can vary pretty substantially from one place to another in a tank, too.

I've never used a heat mat with a temp probe (I guess that means it is self-regulating?); I would think that you should put that in the substrate somewhat near the mat, so that you can tell that the mat isn't overheating the substrate right near the mat, but then use the temp/humidity gauges elsewhere in the tank to decide where to set the temp for the mat. Probably somebody that has used a mat with a temp probe will come along and address this question better, though.

[Becca24]

Temp and humidity gauge placement depends on how many you have. If you only have one, you should probably put it in the place you expect will be the coolest and dry-est place in the tank (that way you will know that anywhere else is likely to be warmer and more humid). So, not near the heat mat, and not near water sources. Since the heat mat tends to dry out the area near it, putting a water source with a bubbler or fountain near the heat mat is usually a good idea. I have my fresh water source in the corner where I have heat mats on the back and side of my 120g (the "jungle side" of the tank); and the salt water source over on the "beach side" of the tank (both water sources are bubble pools right now). I have two temp/humidity "weather stations" in the tank, one in the farthest corner from both heat mats and either pool, and one in the middle of the "jungle side."

Putting the temp/humidity "weather station" right on the substrate is best, as that is where the crabs will typically be spending the most time (also warm air rises, so higher up is likely to be warmer). I'm pretty paranoid about temp and humidity, having had a real struggle with those early on (I originally ended up with rescue crabs in late fall/winter, knowing nothing about them), so I usually have a least two "weather stations") in any given tank. It's interesting to see how the temp and humidity can vary pretty substantially from one place to another in a tank, too.

I've never used a heat mat with a temp probe (I guess that means it is self-regulating?); I would think that you should put that in the substrate somewhat near the mat, so that you can tell that the mat isn't overheating the substrate right near the mat, but then use the temp/humidity gauges elsewhere in the tank to decide where to set the temp for the mat. Probably somebody that has used a mat with a temp probe will come along and address this question better, though.

Well I actually bought a heat regulator for my mat. VIVOSUN Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Temperature Controller 40–108 ºF for Seedlings, Germination, Rooting, Fermentation and Reptiles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015F4VFGI/re ... UTF8&psc=1

I’ve heard many different things. I have my mat placed about the substrate as I have 18” inches to work with. I thought placing in the middle on the substrate would give it a better reading but I’m not sure. Thanks for the help!

[DragonsFly]

If you put the probe too far away from the mat itself, I'm worried that you may have the mat making the area right near the mat much too hot. So again, I think I would put the probe pretty close to the mat itself, to make sure that does not happen.

To regulate the temperature in the tank, you need to use temperature and humidity gauges in places around the tank (depending on how big the tank is), to help you know how warm and how humid the tank is, and then you can set the temp on the mat up or down depending on what those say about the temp in the tank itself. The temperature the mat is set to will not be the same as the temperature in the tank.

[Becca24]

If you put the probe too far away from the mat itself, I'm worried that you may have the mat making the area right near the mat much too hot. So again, I think I would put the probe pretty close to the mat itself, to make sure that does not happen.

To regulate the temperature in the tank, you need to use temperature and humidity gauges in places around the tank (depending on how big the tank is), to help you know how warm and how humid the tank is, and then you can set the temp on the mat up or down depending on what those say about the temp in the tank itself. The temperature the mat is set to will not be the same as the temperature in the tank.

That’s a great idea. I mistyped in my last message. The heating pad will be above the substrate. Where would be the best place to put the hydrometer/ temperature gauge? I actually got one that sends alerts to my phone if it goes out of the perimeters. Thanks again for all the help. It really does mean a lot.

[curlysister]

I move my thermometer/hygrometer around in the tank. I will put it very close to the heat mats, or at the opposite side, or in the middle. That way I kind of get an idea of what the warmest and coolest sections are like. I don't have a probe, just one of those square Accurite type of ones that I sit directly on the sand.

[DragonsFly]

If you only have one thermometer/hygrometer, then curlysister's idea is a good one. Once you know how the temp and humidity tend to vary in different places, you can then put the gauge in the coolest place (if you are more concerned about the temp getting too cold), or in the warmest place (if getting too hot is the more likely danger).