HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've exhausted all my options for this heat tape. I really thought it would keep the temperature because it required a thermostat because of "such high temps" but apparently if my house stays around 70F, the tank is going to be about 72-74F. It gets up to 80F in the evening, but only for a few hours. I doubled up my heat tape and still, the same problem. I'm not really sure what's wrong because when i reach back to feel, both are hot, but the tank temp is still low.
Can i insulate heat tape or is that a fire hazard?
Also, should i just wrap the back, or the back and both sides?
I could use a foil and cardboard combo, or i could order this from home depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-1 ... /100012574
^^Which would be the better option in the long run??
Could i also insulate the lid as well? Would that help? [My lid is egg crate light diffuser with seran wrap across the top]

The only thing Im going to suggest - since I've never really used for heard much about the product... so cant really comment - is your temperature gauge showing the correct temperature?

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aussieJJDude wrote:The only thing Im going to suggest - since I've never really used for heard much about the product... so cant really comment - is your temperature gauge showing the correct temperature?

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That's another thing I forgot to mention. The probes are hanging in the front of the tank low by the substrate on the left corner and right corner. I had a laser temp gun and when I check the temp around the tank it reads what the thermostat says give or take a degree or two.

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How hot is the heat tape reading directly with the gun?

wodesorel wrote:How hot is the heat tape reading directly with the gun?

I'll check that as soon as I get home

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I used cardboard and tinfoil, but you can also use craft foam or bubble wrap
You want to face the shiny side towards the tank to insulate heat.

wodesorel wrote:How hot is the heat tape reading directly with the gun?

On the inside glass it reads 100...
On the outside directly on the heat tape it reads 112

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I LOVE Reflectix which is the link that you provided. I have it cut I one long piece to cover the sides and the back on my tanks. I only use it for winter. It is reusable every year. You hang it with packaging tape, Reflectix tape, or duct tape.

Ultratherms from reptile basics, bean farm, and Flukers brand are all able to be insulated.

Zoomed ARE NOT because they already come insulated.

If you cannot afford the Reflectix, you can use aluminum foil (shiny side facing inside the crabitat), then cardboard or styrofoam and repeat.

Once insulation has been applied, allow 24 hours for new temperature to be established


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ciaraalston wrote:

wodesorel wrote:How hot is the heat tape reading directly with the gun?

On the inside glass it reads 100...
On the outside directly on the heat tape it reads 112

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That doesn't seem right!! All the uth I have read 129 to 140. That 100 degree temp is ideal for many reptiles, but is obviously not going to pump enough extra to heat the air. Definitely attempt insulating. Are there any problems with how the tape was wired together?

Before you insulate the tank be 100% positive you can safely insulate that particular heat tape. If you can insulate I would do the back first. Insulation should direct more of the heat into the tank raising the temperature a few degrees.

I just posted a similar topic last night about UTH's use for a reptile vs. aquarium tank. I had concern about the heater working properly through thicker glass. I have several thermometers in my tank. My regulator probe reads 82 and it is set to 86. a gauge in the direct center of the tank reads 85, yet another probe reads a different than the others. That may be a good read because it sounds like you are having a similar concern.

I like being able you pull several temperatures from different areas to pull an average overall temperature. With your probe being at the far side away from the heat source that should be the coolest part of the tank. The temperature should increase the closer you get to the heat source.



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Motorcrab, don't forget she has an infrared heat gun, so can get real-time temps from everywhere in the tank and it's still staying too cool.

I'll email reptile basics and see what they say about insulating the heat tape. Since everyone uses ultratherms or zoomed, this is new area. I knew that coming into it, but I kinda just hoped it would work with no issues. But I'll email them today and let y'all know what they say


Side note not crab related - I'm in meeting all day for work.... I'm going up for a promotion that I've wanted for a long time. I'm bouncing between regular meetings (on my off day of course) and job interviews for this promotion. Any prayers/ good vibes y'all can send, I'd appreciate it

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I have two UTHs from Reptile basics, and one that is from Bean Farm. I have insulated all of them with Reflectix - with no issues.

Good luck on the promotion!

Aaaaaw yea, I over looked the heat gun. Is there a way to double check the calibration to be sure it's accurate? Basically how you can check an analog humidity gauge in a closed container with salt.

Good luck with the promotion!
More money = happier crabbies!

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For temp really the only way is to have several together and see if they all read the same. Outdoor thermometers and household thermostats can work to confirm.