How to lower humidity?

[hummingbird008]

The problem I'm having with my crabitat right now is that fairly often, the humidity will reach 90%, but the temperature will be in the low seventies. I've read that if the humidity is above 90% percent, they could develop bacterial infections. Cracking the lid a bit helps lower the humidity, but it also brings the temperature down further. Any ideas on how to lower the humidity without lowering the temperature? I don't have a UTH, but I'm willing to get one if I really need it.

[soilentgringa]

Your humidity can be 100% and not harm your crabs in any way. The only thing you are at risk for is mold or possible over saturation of sub.

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[CallaLily]

You definitely want to bump those temps up though. PPs do best 80-85F but 75F at the lowest is safe. Other species have slightly different temp ranges. Once your temp comes up some, you may find your humidity will drop a little. A good brand of UTH is Ultratherm, which can be found at reptilebasics.com.

[OBXPair]

A good brand of UTH is Ultratherm, which can be found at reptilebasics.com.

Thanks, CallaLily. I live with Hummingbird so am chiming in on behalf of our crabs. Am VERY confused about heaters. Just found the Ultratherm, and it looks good...except the description says it usually keeps the environment a "reptile-friendly" 95F. Isn't that too hot?

[megmaholm]

Thanks, CallaLily. I live with Hummingbird so am chiming in on behalf of our crabs. Am VERY confused about heaters. Just found the Ultratherm, and it looks good...except the description says it usually keeps the environment a "reptile-friendly" 95F. Isn't that too hot?

I think they mean that the heater itself (when not insulated) doesn't get above 95 - my Ultratherm's temp, when insulated, hits about 115. Not hot enough to burn the crabs, and it keeps the entire tank a pretty even, safe temperature.

[soilentgringa]

My temp stays in the mid 80's with my insulated Ultratherm. It covers about 1/2 of the back of my 55 gallon. Of course, I live in TX and don't need that much of a boost, but if you live in a colder climate you will probably want one that covers most of the back of your tank above the substrate.

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[CallaLily]

What they said.

My ultratherm, insulated, reads 111F in the middle of the surface (temp gun) of the glass where it's positioned. But the ambient air temps vary around the tank from upper 70s in the coolest spots to upper 80s in the warmest. I actually had to unplug mine recently due to higher temps in that room (upper 80s) because of warmer weather here. Mine is the 11x35 one, on a 36" long tank. The tank is a 40B with an exo terra topper and measures 36"L x 18" W x 34"H.

[hummingbird008]

Here's an update: We just got a heater, it's a Zoomed Reptile UTH. We put it on the side of tank on one end. We also got another hygrometer/thermometer. We put one by the heater and one away from the heater close to sand. The one that's farthest away from the heater reads 72 F and the one closest reads 77 F.

[hummingbird008]

Also, how hot is too hot?

[CallaLily]

If there are cooler areas in the tank, it's ok if other areas get up into the 90s. I've seen crabs actually enjoy these hot spots at times. But if the whole tank is consistently up there well into the 90s for long periods, I think then there could be a problem. I don't have any experience with crabs in those higher temps though, so someone else may come along with a different idea. During warmer weather here, I shut off heat sources because my tanks stay up into the 80s during the day without one.

On the Caresheets, PPs safe range is listed as 75-85F. Es 80-90F.