Temp very high because very hot outside

[HermitCrabLady]

It has been 90 degrees here and when I am away from work the tank temp is very hot as I am on a second floor . The temp sometimes reads anywhere from 85-95 at times. I am unable to put the ac on when I am not home. I am going to be away for 2 days and am very worried. When I leave the house I change from a glass top to a screen top in order to make it a little breathable as the humidity is high anyway so I don't have to worry about that. I have a salt water dish and regular water and use flukers hermit crab beach sand and keep it moist. So far they seem to be ok. I am very worried when I will be gone for 2 days. Does anyone have any suggestions as I cannot control the temp. outside. Thank you.

[soilentgringa]

Hi!
Do you have purple pinchers? Or E's? I know people here have had their crabs in the mid 90's with no ill effect. The average temperature in the summer in their native regions are in the high 80's/low 90's so as long as you aren't up in the high 90's you should be alright.
May I ask why you aren't able to run your AC when you leave? You could always set it on 80 if the energy use is the issue. If that's not the case, then of course you must do whatever you are able to. How deep is your sub? If they get too warm up top they can always burrow in the cooler sand. There aren't really any issues with the Fluker's hermit crab sand that I know of, however, you can get a 50 lb bag of silica based playsand at Lowe's or Home Depot for around $5 and is much more cost effective.

[HermitCrabLady]

They are PP's. I used to have 2 ecuadorians that I loved but they died on me and since then I have been hesitant to buy them again even though I would love too. Most if my crabs bury like crazy. When I came home the other day 3 out of 6 crabs were hidden. Can the sand get hot though?

[soilentgringa]

If your substrate is moist and your tank isn't heated, your sub will be cooler than the air. Like if you are at the beach and you dig down in the sand it gets cooler/cold. If you are unsure you can always put some saran wrap around a thermometer (like a human temp under tongue type) and stab it down a few inches and check that way.

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[wodesorel]

Top of my tank has been in the 90's with the heat wave we've been having. My crabs are partying! I usually keep the hot end of my tanks above 90, and then there are cooler patches for them to retreat to. In an emergency the substrate will be cooler.

Use the screen lid, keep the curtains closed to block the heat from the sun, don't use any lights on or near the tank, and if you can leave a fan on it'll help with cooling things off a bit.

How deep is the substrate?