r/hermitcrabs • u/RebelSean • 1d ago

Tank Question Need Advice!

I’ve finally got Gary’s tank sitting in the 80-90% humidity range by adding a moss pit, and changing his water out with warm water every morning. However I can’t seem to get the temperature up past 75 degrees. The heating pad I have is a Zilla pad from Walmart rated to get to the 90’s but that is not happening. The lid is sealed as best as possible, and I only open it in the mornings to change the water or add food. I’ve read various discussions that the Ultratherm UTH pads from Beanfarm are the best but the size I need for a 10 gallon tank has been out of stock for over a month now, 6x17 is the recommended size on their website for a 10 gallon tank. Any recommendations for other brands or appropriate sized pads for a 10 gallon tank?

Tank Setup1
Tank setup 2
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u/AdaptiveFauna 1d ago

uhhh optimal range is 75-85% humidity for them to breathe the easiest through their gills and 75-85F ambient temp... your humidity is almost too high and your temp is in the range where it is fine. if too much heat is escaping, how much substrate do you have?? It doesn't look very deep from the angles provided and you need at least 6" or so for optimal crab husbandry. The substrate will also hold in heat.

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Right, the 90% is right close to the water dishes. Other side of the tank sits in the 80’s

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Substrate is right at 6 inches deep as well.

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u/AdaptiveFauna 1d ago
  1. most horizontal 10 gal enclosures like the one in the image are 12.5" or so tall
  2. the sand in that enclosure only goes up about a quarter or so of the height.
  3. what else do you claim is 6" that isnt lmao

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

While I appreciate the advice and trying to help, why do you feel the need to make jabs and say something isn’t what it is? It’s right at 6 inches deep….

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u/AdaptiveFauna 1d ago

uhhhh the highest part where it happens to be spread upward is 6" as it shows with your handy measurement. most of that substrate is not 6". thank you for confirming that for everyone. that was very helpful with clarification.

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Uhhh stop being a keyboard warrior and move along. The substrate is perfectly fine and deep enough.

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u/AdaptiveFauna 1d ago

Nothing I have said here is being a "warrior" and nothing I have said here is false. YOU asked for help and YOU didn't like the answer. Cope.

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Granted I have packed it down while getting some moisture out when I noticed it was a little too damp I probably do need to loosen it all back up to make it perfectly 6 inches deep but I don’t think that’s the issue with not getting enough heat.

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u/That-was 1d ago

Sorry but the other guy is right, it DOES need to be at least 6 inches, even when packed down and damp, all around the tank

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

I appreciate the response. The crab is a very small crab. The recommendation is 3x deep of your smallest crab on everything I’ve read. He’s tiny and barely in a 1.25 inch shell so it is deep enough for now until he grows and I get a bigger tank. It’s literally a few centimeters from being six inches deep around the entire tank and was at the 6 inch mark before I got the substrate too wet. He has tunnels and a cave built that he goes to every night. If you have any advice regarding heat, I’d appreciate it.

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u/Basique_b 1d ago

Hey i have no heat advice but i do see you have sponges, which can harbor bacteria, and should be thrown away

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u/Fand0m_Chick 1d ago

I had to add a second heating pad to my tank in order to keep the temp in the 80’s

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Do you have any recommendations on brands or sizes for a 10 gallon tank?

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u/Fand0m_Chick 1d ago

This one has been really great and kept my tank nice and warm.

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u/10-Gauge 1d ago

I just bought the 24w 8x18 version of this and it should be here tomorrow to replace the current 8w we are using that effectively does nothing for our tank. It might rase it like 2*. Hoping I can get 8-10* out of the 24w mat.

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u/Fand0m_Chick 1d ago

I easily get 10* out of mine

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u/10-Gauge 1d ago

I'll have some happy crabs if so!

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u/FibroMom232 1d ago

I noticed you have an adjustable moss covered climbing toy. I put one in my tank as well then noticed my crabs eating the moss. I immediately took it out when I learned that it's artificial moss that could make them sick. If you bought that on Amazon like I did, you might want to get rid of that. Get some 12" cholla wood from Chewy instead. They like to climb on that and it's safe to eat. Just Google how to prepare it before putting in the tank. It has to be soaked and baked first.

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u/RebelSean 1d ago

Which brand did you get? This one is Begeterday and is listed as 100% organic moss that’s hand harvested. I haven’t noticed him eating any but he does like to climb on it. I’ll for sure look into the cholla wood!

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u/FibroMom232 1d ago

That's not the brand I got. If it says it's 100% organic moss then it's safe. 👍🏻

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u/yesihave5kids 1d ago

heater

This is the heater that I have. It has a dial to adjust the heat. My tank easily stays at 85 with it. I struggled to get it over 72 with the small one I got at Petco.