HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have a 5.5 gallon tank, and needing to know the wattage of UTH I need for it, the options are 4w, 8w, 16w, and 24w. If someone can help, I got one of the thrive 2w heaters but it does absolutely nothing, thanks.

Is this site dead? Anyone here?

Is this site dead? Anyone here?

ppl9091724 wrote:I have a 5.5 gallon tank, and needing to know the wattage of UTH I need for it, the options are 4w, 8w, 16w, and 24w. If someone can help, I got one of the thrive 2w heaters but it does absolutely nothing, thanks.

Please expect at least 24 hours for anyone to answer your post. If it's not an emergency post, sometimes it may take even longer than that.

Unless your crab is very very tiny (micro size), a 5.5 gallon tank will not be sufficient space. You'll need at least a 10 gal to get you started, as it will be able to hold enough substrate for your crab to dig and molt.
You don't want to go by wattage. Get a uth that spans the entire length of the back of your tank, trying to keep it above the substrate line (if it dips a little below the sub line that's ok, but your sand my dry out there quicker). Ultratherm is a very good brand. Fluker's is good as well.

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Can I leave the heater while at work away from home

CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2024 6:36 pm

Please expect at least 24 hours for anyone to answer your post. If it's not an emergency post, sometimes it may take even longer than that.

Unless your crab is very very tiny (micro size), a 5.5 gallon tank will not be sufficient space. You'll need at least a 10 gal to get you started, as it will be able to hold enough substrate for your crab to dig and molt.
You don't want to go by wattage. Get a uth that spans the entire length of the back of your tank, trying to keep it above the substrate line (if it dips a little below the sub line that's ok, but your sand my dry out there quicker). Ultratherm is a very good brand. Fluker's is good as well.

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Can I leave the UTH on while away from home? It’s a 4 watt with no thermostat but it doesn’t get very hot it’s just warm to the touch but idk

ppl9091724 wrote: Can I leave the UTH on while away from home? It’s a 4 watt with no thermostat but it doesn’t get very hot it’s just warm to the touch but idk

You could leave it on, I think a lot of people on here do. I'm overly cautious tho, and I turn my uths off when I leave the house. My house stays warm enough. I also use thermostats too, so I never need to worry about the uths overheating when I'm home.

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I leave my UTH on all the time when I need them (I don't have all of them on all of the time, as my tank is in a room where the temp fluctuates between seasons).
I agree that you will need a larger tank than 5 gallons.