I am going to a 20 long fish tank I have a 10 right now. I am wondering what size heat pad to put on the side? right now I have 2 small pads one is on most of the time and the other is on a thermosat. At this time I have only eco earth that is soaked in salt water but I was wondering if it was better to have some sand in part of the tank?
Some times if I leave the food in too long I get little bugs so I am trying to avoid them as much as possible. Any ideas or suggestions? I have 4 hermit crabs that are 2 and 3 years old.
going to a bigger tank
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hermitcrab24
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:45 pm
Re: going to a bigger tank
Hello,
Congrats on moving to a bigger tank
I think heating pads say how big of a tank it is supposed to heat. I think one on each side is good. You can adjust them depending on your thermometer readings.
I think many people have part eco earth and part sand, I think sand is easier for hermit crabs to bury/molt, it definitely couldn't hurt to add sand.
Be sure to change the food every few days to avoid bugs, especially if it is fresh food. If it is hard for you to change your food that often, maybe look into getting some powdered foods. Sits like the Hermit Crab Patch have some good powdered foods.
Hope I answered your questions ,
Bonnie
Congrats on moving to a bigger tank
I think heating pads say how big of a tank it is supposed to heat. I think one on each side is good. You can adjust them depending on your thermometer readings.
I think many people have part eco earth and part sand, I think sand is easier for hermit crabs to bury/molt, it definitely couldn't hurt to add sand.
Be sure to change the food every few days to avoid bugs, especially if it is fresh food. If it is hard for you to change your food that often, maybe look into getting some powdered foods. Sits like the Hermit Crab Patch have some good powdered foods.
Hope I answered your questions
,Bonnie
Re: going to a bigger tank
Congrats on the upgrade!
Ignore the recommended size on heaters sold in pet stores. You'll just want the biggest one(s) that can fit on your tank above the substrate line. A lot of crabbers use and recommend Ultratherm UTHs, which are only sold online but after shipping are often cheaper than the heaters sold in stores. You can check them out at http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads if you're interested.
You can use straight eco earth if you want, but a lot of us prefer playsand mixed with it. The recommended ratio is 5 parts sand to 1 part EE, but it's not an exact science. Playsand is inexpensive, so you'll get to the recommended substrate level cheaper than if you use straight EE. If you do go with a sand/EE mix, saltwater is great for the initial setup to discourage mold growth.
Like Bonnie said, change the food often and clean up around the food dishes to discourage bugs. I feed a lot of dried food, which helps not attract things like fruit flies, but when I feed fresh I put it in at night and take it out in the morning.
Ignore the recommended size on heaters sold in pet stores. You'll just want the biggest one(s) that can fit on your tank above the substrate line. A lot of crabbers use and recommend Ultratherm UTHs, which are only sold online but after shipping are often cheaper than the heaters sold in stores.
You can check them out at http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads if you're interested.You can use straight eco earth if you want, but a lot of us prefer playsand mixed with it. The recommended ratio is 5 parts sand to 1 part EE, but it's not an exact science. Playsand is inexpensive, so you'll get to the recommended substrate level cheaper than if you use straight EE. If you do go with a sand/EE mix, saltwater is great for the initial setup to discourage mold growth.
Like Bonnie said, change the food often and clean up around the food dishes to discourage bugs. I feed a lot of dried food, which helps not attract things like fruit flies, but when I feed fresh I put it in at night and take it out in the morning.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.
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singlemomwithcrab
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
- Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: going to a bigger tank
HCA actually recommends that you get as large a heating pad to cover most of the open space on the long side of the tank above the substrate line. The reptile UTH ratings at the pet store aren't really for the type and depth of medium that is used for hermit crabs. With a 20 long, you are going to have a long short tank. With 6 inches of subtrate, you are only going to have about 6 inches of space above the substate.
Ultratherms are a brand of UTH's that are extremely popular and you can get one as long as the tank cheaper than buying multiple little ones. I have attached a link to show you one at Reptile Basics.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm ... uth-6-x-23
Ultratherms are a brand of UTH's that are extremely popular and you can get one as long as the tank cheaper than buying multiple little ones. I have attached a link to show you one at Reptile Basics.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm ... uth-6-x-23
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
50 PPs, 1 E
going to a bigger tank
Using sand in your sub will only really help you prevent mold, not bugs. I do like sand because i like the way it tunnels. There are crabbers eho just like EE, probably because it is so light.
You can have less bugs by leaving more dry food and less fresh foods, but that might take away nutritional benefits for your crabs. You can try changing the food more often. Another good alternative is to employ a cleanup crew to reduce food source for unwanted guests, but it is possible that your unwanted guests are already a cleanup crew! Springtails are very tiny brown bugs that just look like a tiny speck. Crabbers intentionally breed springtails in their tank to keep stuff like flies and mites under control. What type of bug do you have?
Crabbers introduce isopods/potato bugs/rollie polies in their tats to cohabitate and clean. Here's a thread on isopods: viewtopic.php?t=92538
Crabbers unite!!!
You can have less bugs by leaving more dry food and less fresh foods, but that might take away nutritional benefits for your crabs. You can try changing the food more often. Another good alternative is to employ a cleanup crew to reduce food source for unwanted guests, but it is possible that your unwanted guests are already a cleanup crew! Springtails are very tiny brown bugs that just look like a tiny speck. Crabbers intentionally breed springtails in their tank to keep stuff like flies and mites under control. What type of bug do you have?
Crabbers introduce isopods/potato bugs/rollie polies in their tats to cohabitate and clean. Here's a thread on isopods: viewtopic.php?t=92538
Crabbers unite!!!
Last edited by YYWW on Sun Jan 25, 2015 12:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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singlemomwithcrab
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
- Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: going to a bigger tank
lol...typing contest, meg won!
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
50 PPs, 1 E
Re: going to a bigger tank
LOL!singlemomwithcrab wrote:lol...typing contest, meg won!
Crabbers unite!!!
Re: going to a bigger tank
LOL yay me!! What's my prize? 
At least we're consistent with our advice!
At least we're consistent with our advice!Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.
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singlemomwithcrab
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
- Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Re: going to a bigger tank
I owe you a shell. Tell me what you want and PM me your mailing addy.megmaholm wrote:LOL yay me!! What's my prize?
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
50 PPs, 1 E
Re: going to a bigger tank
Thank you I am looking into the ultratherm heat pads. I am a little confused, what is the reason so put the heat pad above the eco earth? For 3 years I have had two small heat pad they are 6 inches and 3 are above the eco earth and 3 below. My thinking was that the dirt should be warm too. Am I loosing heat like this? I do buy my food from the crab patch. The bugs seem to come and go I see 3 or 4 sometimes if I go a few days not changeing the food. Most of the food is dried (shrimp, fruit seaweed etc)
I worry so about getting mites. I check the Hermies out when they are not buried and they don't seem to have any on them. I will be changing the eco earth with the new tank and will give each of them a saltwater bath. I have had my tank in the kitchen where the nearest window is about 4 ft away from the tank. They don't get tons of sunlight but get some. I am moving them to my livingroom where the window is about 8 to 10 ft away from the window I worry about them getting enough sun, although they are buried most of the day. I am planning on putting a small light over the top of the tank. I feel like I have heard of a light that they give them what they need. Do you know about such a light and how many hours a day they would need it? Thank you all your advice I really appreciate having some place to ask questions being most pet store don't have a clue.
I worry so about getting mites. I check the Hermies out when they are not buried and they don't seem to have any on them. I will be changing the eco earth with the new tank and will give each of them a saltwater bath. I have had my tank in the kitchen where the nearest window is about 4 ft away from the tank. They don't get tons of sunlight but get some. I am moving them to my livingroom where the window is about 8 to 10 ft away from the window I worry about them getting enough sun, although they are buried most of the day. I am planning on putting a small light over the top of the tank. I feel like I have heard of a light that they give them what they need. Do you know about such a light and how many hours a day they would need it? Thank you all your advice I really appreciate having some place to ask questions being most pet store don't have a clue.
going to a bigger tank
The substrate is supposed to be cooler than the atmosphere, that's how it is in nature. Putting it under only dries out the bottom layer and traps the heat in. I keep my heating pads touching the substrate line, like maybe a centimeter over it because when I was setting the tank up the sub was ice cold to the touch.
A uvb bulb isn't really necessary. It basically gives off vitamin D like the sun, reptiles need it more to process calcium. I have one because I have straws and apparently they don't live as long in captivity so I thought that might be a factor. Now if you have heat pads and you're going to be putting your crabs a safe distance away from the direct sunlight, you won't need a lamp. In fact the sun may over heat them so when you move them there be sure to keep an eye on the temperature.
A uvb bulb isn't really necessary. It basically gives off vitamin D like the sun, reptiles need it more to process calcium. I have one because I have straws and apparently they don't live as long in captivity so I thought that might be a factor. Now if you have heat pads and you're going to be putting your crabs a safe distance away from the direct sunlight, you won't need a lamp. In fact the sun may over heat them so when you move them there be sure to keep an eye on the temperature.
Re: going to a bigger tank
Here's a great article on lighting: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92543. Not only about lights for heat but also about ones for viewing and UVB. I hope it helps.Sue1208 wrote: I am planning on putting a small light over the top of the tank. I feel like I have heard of a light that they give them what they need. Do you know about such a light and how many hours a day they would need it?
Re: going to a bigger tank
Oh I thought they need sunlight. I do add calcuim both the ones you put in the eco earth and sprinkle on the food. As far as the heat did worry about them being too cold. I keep the tank 79/80 all the time but with heat rising I wondered under the eco earth. So I guess the ultratherm pad 6 inch x 23 inches would be the best. Do I just attach it to the tank with duck tape? I will set it up but not move them until I know the temperture is stable. I am just trying to give them more room. They love to climb accrossed the top of the tank.
Re: going to a bigger tank
They do need a day/night cycle, buy the daytime bulb definitely doesn't have to be UVB. I used to just use an LED, but switched to an incandescent since it puts off a little bit of heat.
You can attach the Ultratherm any way you want. Duct tape is fine, electrical tape, packing tape, etc. If you get the UTH set up and it's not getting your tank warm enough, definitely try insulating it. You can tape a layer of aluminum foil over it, and then styrofoam over that. Works great and helps boost the temps.
You can attach the Ultratherm any way you want. Duct tape is fine, electrical tape, packing tape, etc. If you get the UTH set up and it's not getting your tank warm enough, definitely try insulating it. You can tape a layer of aluminum foil over it, and then styrofoam over that. Works great and helps boost the temps.
Crabbing since July 2014! 75 gallon with 12 Purple Pinchers.
Re: going to a bigger tank
ok where should I put the thermostate? At the top of the tank or down my the eco earth? I am up in the air about the ultratherm and the zoo med heat pads. I have had good luck with the 2 zoo med heat pads for the last 3 years. I have not had to insulate them.
Thank you for all you information.
Thank you for all you information.