First time tank and struggling with heat...
-
Topic author - Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:12 pm
- Location: Tennessee
First time tank and struggling with heat...
Hello! So my mother bought my two year old son two hermit crabs at the beach on Saturday (yesterday). I have never had hermit crabs before so I’ve done a lot of reading. I bought a 10 gallon tank and attempted to set it up. My struggle is I can’t get it warm enough or enough humidity. I got a small UTH and attached to the back like the man at the pet store said but the tank wasn’t warm enough so I went back and bought a second one... the tank is still only 73degrees and 60% humidity. Any ideas what I can do? I have salt water and freshwater inside with sponges to help with the humidity. I also want to make sure I have it set up okay for crabs. I tried to include things I read they liked on your group. My stuff at the bottom may not be quite thick enough but I ran out and wanted to get them out of the critter keeper so I can add more if needed.
(I can’t figure out how to post an image of my tank set up here)
(I can’t figure out how to post an image of my tank set up here)
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 4577
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:54 pm
- Location: Manitoba, Canada
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
Welcome to crabbing!
What do you have on the top of your tank?
What type of substrate are you using, and how deep do you currently have it?
What do you have on the top of your tank?
What type of substrate are you using, and how deep do you currently have it?
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
-
- Posts: 317
- Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:44 am
- Location: ON
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
I take photos using Tapatalk. Phone app for forums.LizzieBeth92 wrote:Hello! So my mother bought my two year old son two hermit crabs at the beach on Saturday (yesterday). I have never had hermit crabs before so I’ve done a lot of reading. I bought a 10 gallon tank and attempted to set it up. My struggle is I can’t get it warm enough or enough humidity. I got a small UTH and attached to the back like the man at the pet store said but the tank wasn’t warm enough so I went back and bought a second one... the tank is still only 73degrees and 60% humidity. Any ideas what I can do? I have salt water and freshwater inside with sponges to help with the humidity. I also want to make sure I have it set up okay for crabs. I tried to include things I read they liked on your group. My stuff at the bottom may not be quite thick enough but I ran out and wanted to get them out of the critter keeper so I can add more if needed.
(I can’t figure out how to post an image of my tank set up here)
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
-
Topic author - Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:12 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
I have part sand and part of the coconut stuff. I used more coconut and it is 5 inches thick. The sand is what I can out of so I slipped it down and it’s only 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick. The kid is a mesh screen. I thought that was my issue so I have a towel sitting on top right now covering it. I bought a kit at the pet store and argued with the man it wouldn’t hold in humidity but he assured me it would. I don’t want to use heat lights because it is in my 2 year olds room.
-
Topic author - Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:12 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
Pictures of what I have done so far for the tank. I tried to copy things I have seen and read on here! If you see something bad please let me know! Our store is out of sand but I do plan to add more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
I have a piece of glass duct taped over the mesh on my lid. Was under $20 to get the glass and have them cut it. My tank is a 20g long so the glass is larger.
Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk
I can hear my 75g whispering from the barn.
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
I would..
For the humidity mix the substrate did you mix enough water into it? It should be sand castle like.. (you also want about 6 inches if possible.) Then I would get some frog moss wet it and stick in in the tank.
For the heat I would simply insulate the tank.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
For the humidity mix the substrate did you mix enough water into it? It should be sand castle like.. (you also want about 6 inches if possible.) Then I would get some frog moss wet it and stick in in the tank.
For the heat I would simply insulate the tank.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 4577
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:54 pm
- Location: Manitoba, Canada
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
What type of sand is that? Something you got at the pet store? Or play sand? Some types of sand are not safe, which is why I am asking.
I used Saran Wrap over the top of my first two tanks. A towel won't hold in the humidity.
What's the temp in your tank?
Playsand mixed with EE and moistened with either dechlorinated fresh or dechlorinated salt water (water dechlorinated, then a marine salt such as Instant Ocean) to make it moist enough to hold it's shape.
I used Saran Wrap over the top of my first two tanks. A towel won't hold in the humidity.
What's the temp in your tank?
Playsand mixed with EE and moistened with either dechlorinated fresh or dechlorinated salt water (water dechlorinated, then a marine salt such as Instant Ocean) to make it moist enough to hold it's shape.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
-
- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: First time tank and struggling with heat...
Welcome! Ditch the sponges. They hold bacteria. The water bowls need to be deep enough for them to fully submerge with a safe way out.
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
First time tank and struggling with heat...
You can get a glass canopy top for a 10gal tank for around $20. Your local pet store should have them, or check amazon. I love my glass canopy tops, I have one for each of my tanks. Just double check your tank measurements to make sure it will fit, different brands fit different tanks better. I’ve found that the MarineLand Perfecto brand fit most of my tanks perfectly, except for my 20gal. I think the Aqueon brand would have fit it a little better. Here is a link on Amazon to one
https://www.amazon.com/H2Pro-Canopy-Ga ... =8-1-fkmr3
The plastic wrap works well if you don’t want to buy a glass canopy top. I wanted to make the suggestion incase you were looking for a more permanent solution for an aquarium lid.
Edit to add:
Here is a link to an ultratherm from reptile basics. I think this is the size you would need for a 10gallon tank, measure your tank and make sure you cover the whole back from your substrate up. (with at least 6” of substrate)
https://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrathe ... -uth-6-x11
If you can return the other heat mats, they’re probably more expensive and the Ultratherm brand is great, they can be insulated over in the winter time to help hold heat. You shouldn’t have any problems with heating after that.
You can get regular bag of play sand from any hardware store, a 50lb bag for about $5.00. It’s better sand and way cheaper than the sand they market to us in the pet stores.
These are just recommendations on what I do/did with my crabby-crew, others have great advice for you also. I have 3 boys, and one of mine is also 2, he will be 3 next Thursday. He loves his crabbies and knows most of their names. It might take awhile for them bc they’re going to need time to destress but you will love sharing them with him. Everyone here is great, welcome to the site.
https://www.amazon.com/H2Pro-Canopy-Ga ... =8-1-fkmr3
The plastic wrap works well if you don’t want to buy a glass canopy top. I wanted to make the suggestion incase you were looking for a more permanent solution for an aquarium lid.
Edit to add:
Here is a link to an ultratherm from reptile basics. I think this is the size you would need for a 10gallon tank, measure your tank and make sure you cover the whole back from your substrate up. (with at least 6” of substrate)
https://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrathe ... -uth-6-x11
If you can return the other heat mats, they’re probably more expensive and the Ultratherm brand is great, they can be insulated over in the winter time to help hold heat. You shouldn’t have any problems with heating after that.
You can get regular bag of play sand from any hardware store, a 50lb bag for about $5.00. It’s better sand and way cheaper than the sand they market to us in the pet stores.
These are just recommendations on what I do/did with my crabby-crew, others have great advice for you also. I have 3 boys, and one of mine is also 2, he will be 3 next Thursday. He loves his crabbies and knows most of their names. It might take awhile for them bc they’re going to need time to destress but you will love sharing them with him. Everyone here is great, welcome to the site.
