Heat Rock Info

kip.rogers357 · Post by **kip.rogers357** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:57 pm

My cousin used to have an iguana nad had a small heat rock, I was wondering if I could use it for my crabbies.I have about 5inch. of FB\EE/SAND mixture. Should this be safe and enough for me to cover the rock? Or is there any other way of heating it? (I have 1 ZoomedÂ© Heating Mat HC-30) Thnaks For The Help!

Knibitz · Post by **Knibitz** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:06 am

I would say no, becuase if they dig, and hit the rock and lay there, or get stuck there. they might get burned

kip.rogers357 · Post by **kip.rogers357** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:33 pm

Thanks! I was just seeing if I could boost humidity with that, What is a good cheap thing to use as a heating source.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:58 pm

There aren't very many cheap heat sources, but I turned a heating pad for humans into a UTH. Cheap, works greatm and doesn't burn the crabbies if they burrow onto it!! Also helps with pumping humidity into the air, just like animal UTH's. And I haven't had an electrical fire.

kip.rogers357 · Post by **kip.rogers357** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:21 pm

Thanks

How about wrapping a blanket on the side of UTH to keep the heat
(that comes out from outside), from escaping into the room, that way it'll stay tworads the glass. Just a ??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:22 am

I have a small heat rock in one corner of my tank. I have buried it in gravel so only the very top is exposed. I've found that the crabs won't dig in the gravel as there is sand and fb for them to dig into elsewhere. Crabs aren't stupid, if it is too hot for them they will move away! I've seen a few of my crabs sitting in that corner on cooler days (haven't got a uth yet) to warm up and haven't had a problem with the heat rock yet.

Just surround it in gravel so they won't accidently borrow near the rock and it should be fine.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:34 am

i am not saying heat rocks are ok, but if a crab reaches the heat rock, wont they realize it's too hot and leave instead of sleeping next to it? cuz going towards danger just defies an animal's instinct to survive.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 2:34 pm

heat rocks are made for reptiles to bask on so they are meant to imitate sun-warmed rocks.

Perhaps I need to do more research but I've never heard of hermit crabs basking on rocks. Digging in sand yes, which can either be warm or cool depending on the time of day. Which is why Under Tank heaters shouldn't cover more than 1/2 the bottom of the tank so there's a temperature variance in the sand.

Same goes for lamps if you're heating with one. Watch your humidity carefully so you don't dry out the crabitat with it and make sure there are plenty of shady places for the crabs to hide under to escape the direct light. Although if your light is shining on your water dishes, that can actually boost your humidity too.

Glass tank lids, Blankets and Foam-board Igloos are all ways to insulate and keep the heat that you're putting into the tank IN the tank.

Ah, the inginuity we all use in trying to keep our friends warm in the winter.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:16 pm

blazingazn84 wrote:i am not saying heat rocks are ok, but if a crab reaches the heat rock, wont they realize it's too hot and leave instead of sleeping next to it? cuz going towards danger just defies an animal's instinct to survive.

My thoughts exactly!

Crabs, just like all other animals, have instincts for survival. Just because a heat rock is MADE FOR reptiles to bask on doesn't mean that this is the only way for it to be used.

As i said before if you surround it in gravel it will stop the crabs burrowing close to the rock accidently.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:48 pm

I use a 50 watt repti basking lamp mounted to the outside of the tank, about 2" from the glass. It heats the tabk at around 75 very nicely

kip.rogers357 · Post by **kip.rogers357** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:42 am

Thanks for the help. The aquarium came with a lamp (its a long piece of metal with two lights on each end) I will prbably put that on to keep up temp.
If anyone has more suggestions please post! Thanks again!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:39 am

I got a fish tank with lights too. Lights are mounted in the middle, one light on each side of tank. Tank is covered in sand, thicker on left side. I only turn on the left light during the day. It warms up the tank but really dries it out. I have to spray every day. Before the lights I only had to spray every 5 days. I also have a water dish with a sponge. That takes about a week or longer to even get low on water.

I also use a people heater pad. I have had no problems with it. It covers all but 2" of my 10g tank. Oddly, my PP sleeps in the 2" not covered by the pad. My other crab (brownish, an Ecuadorian?) sleeps under the sand on the "deep" covered end containing the heating pad and light.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Heat Rock Info

Heat Rock Info

Tank with lights