HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Could any more experienced crabbers recommend be a good thermometer/hydrometer that would work well in a 20gal but also work in a larger tank? Preferably analog and inexpensive. I was using a Bios Weather meter for maybe 4 months but I think the humidity in my tank killed the electronics.

Thanks!!

I like this one. Cheap and reliable. I'd buy this one again if i needed if i needed another. I've used it for 7 months.
AODE Digital LCD Indoor Weather Humidity Hygrometer Thermometer Meter Gauge Timer Clock 130016 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZ47M5E/re ... Xub0GG9V2C


Crabbers unite!!!

I don't have anyexperience with analog, so I can't recommend any, but if you decide to try digital a lot of crabbers like this: http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00613A1-I ... hygrometer You can get it at Walmart for a comparable price, I think. They seem to last quite a while. I have a digital one (not that brand) that's been in my tank for about 6 months and is holding up really well...but it also cost about $25 so I wouldn't recommend it just for that reason. I would think as long as you're keeping a digital one of water and don't spray it or anything, it should last.

Whatever you decide to go with, you should calibrate it before you put it in the tank to make sure it's reading correctly. Most hygrometers are slightly inaccurate, and even if you can't manually fix it you'll at least know what number to add/subtract to get the actual percentage.

Unfortunately, the analog thermometer/hygrometers I've used in the past ended up partly or wholly dysfunctional because of constant trashing by the crabs. I finally gave in and bought an AcuRite digital unit for $10 at Home Depot. After calibrating it, it worked very well in the 10g and is now doing a fine job in the 29g. Walmart also sells AcuRites but the one they carry for under $10 is larger/bulkier than the model at Home Depot. Several HCAers swear by AcuRite: efficient, hardy and inexpensive.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/AcuRite-Digi ... DSB/202260

Just ordered/received the Acurite and it is much much better than my previous (cheap) thermometer and hygrometer that I got at Petsmart. FYI, if you're planning to attach it to the wall/glass of the crabitat, you'll have to supply your own sticky tape, since this has only a magnet and a clip, which I found difficult to fasten to anything in my tank. It's quite lightweight, though, so it's not too hard.

As far as analog, this hygrometer is the one I like best. I can't find it online but I'm pretty sure I picked it up from Petsmart. It's a fav analog of mine because it can be adjusted. All break eventually though this one did last a little longer than usual. It's All Living Things brand.



(not my pic - snagged from here. I've no experience with this company so I can't comment there.)

For digital, the cheapest I've found so far is the Acurite from Walmart - though my display broke after just a month or so. I can still read humidity levels and only the high/low for temperature. I also have trouble keeping these (digital) working well for long in the high humidity. I think if I buy another I'm going to splurge and get one that the main unit sits outside of the tank, getting it's readings from a probe.

thanks for the suggestions! I've been so bad and took forever to replace my thermo/hydrometer, luckily my guys are both molting so it's not too bad. I'm going to look out for these brands when I get myself to the petstore. I'm just still in shock that I managed to saturate my tank so badly I broke an outdoor, weatherproofed digital thermometer. -____-

I had two Acurites and the humidity killed them both. But I see a lot of members using them with no problems, so maybe I just got a bad batch?

I have a probe thermo/hydrometer that hangs half way down the tank and I can read the display outside the tank. My boyfriend is programming me a special probe system for temp, humidity, soil moisture, lighting, etc. that all can be controlled from my computer. Love my computer geek!

I got one of these guys when I found out both my analog ones were broken. Has been working great!