Post by Angela on Jan 23, 2010 23:06:53 GMT -5
Hermit crabs thrive with both high humidity and temperature. They must be both in the 70-85%/degrees range, and you will need a device to monitor them with.
Humidity Gauges:
Humidity gauges can be purchased at pet supply stores in the reptile section. You can also find them in the Internet shops listed at the bottom of this thread. They are typically sold for $5-8, depending on the brand you buy. However, digital gauges are usually more expensive, as one would expect.
Humidity problems can be corrected by wrapping the top of your tank in plastic wrap, leaving at least a half an inch free of wrap. You can also buy a glass lid for your tank.
Misting your hermit crab tank can also increase your temperature immensely.Either use a mister, fogger, or spray bottle in order to mist up your tank. If you choose to spray, do it several times a day, depending on how much it takes to maintain adequate humidity. Either use a mister, fogger, or spray bottle in order to mist up your tank.
Wire cages aren't recommended, because they are unable to hold much humidity at all. They can also rust, which is definitely not good for your hermit crab. Do not use wire cages of any sort.
Temperature Gauges
Temperature moderation is also important, because your hermit crab is cold-blooded. Temperature gauges can be bought at pet supply stores, again in the reptile section, and can also be found at the websites listed at the bottom of the thread. Actually, any reliable thermometer should work as long as it can be hung inside the tank.
Many will recommend that you also monitor the temperature of your substrate for molting hermit crabs. You can stick a thermometer in the substrate to do this.
While strip tank thermometers may be quite cheap, they are not of decent quality and can easily be ruined.
To increase temperature, use either an under-tank heater or a heating lamp.
Do not place the under-tank heater underneath the tank; this may bake any molting hermit crabs that are in the tank. Instead, place it on the side of the tank.
Try to use low-wattage bulbs for your heating lamp. If you buy a wattage that is too high, you may bake your hermit crab if it climbs to the top of your tank. Unfortunately, heating lamps may lower your humidity.
NEVER use heating rocks; they can easily bake your hermit crab!
To cool off your tank, try darkening the tank or placing it in a cooler area. Also, shut off any heaters that may be running the tank.
Many people will advise you to stick the gauge near the top of the tank. However, how often is your hermit crab up there near the top? Unless your hermit crab is regularly up near the top, it will be more beneficial to stick gauges either in the middle or near the bottom several inches above the substrate, because that is where humidity and temperature truly matters.
WHERE TO BUY:
Note: You can probably find an endless amount of Internet pet supply stores through Google, who probably also sell the items you need.
Humidity gauges:
www.strictlypetsupplies.com/645.html
Temperature gauges:
www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/16293/product.web
www.strictlypetsupplies.com/645.html
www.cheappetstore.com/Reptiles/Reptile-Heating/Thermometers-Gauges
Misters and foggers:
www.cheappetstore.com/Reptiles/Reptile-Heating/Misting-Fogger-Machines/
Humidity Gauges:
Humidity gauges can be purchased at pet supply stores in the reptile section. You can also find them in the Internet shops listed at the bottom of this thread. They are typically sold for $5-8, depending on the brand you buy. However, digital gauges are usually more expensive, as one would expect.
Humidity problems can be corrected by wrapping the top of your tank in plastic wrap, leaving at least a half an inch free of wrap. You can also buy a glass lid for your tank.
Misting your hermit crab tank can also increase your temperature immensely.Either use a mister, fogger, or spray bottle in order to mist up your tank. If you choose to spray, do it several times a day, depending on how much it takes to maintain adequate humidity. Either use a mister, fogger, or spray bottle in order to mist up your tank.
Wire cages aren't recommended, because they are unable to hold much humidity at all. They can also rust, which is definitely not good for your hermit crab. Do not use wire cages of any sort.
Temperature Gauges
Temperature moderation is also important, because your hermit crab is cold-blooded. Temperature gauges can be bought at pet supply stores, again in the reptile section, and can also be found at the websites listed at the bottom of the thread. Actually, any reliable thermometer should work as long as it can be hung inside the tank.
Many will recommend that you also monitor the temperature of your substrate for molting hermit crabs. You can stick a thermometer in the substrate to do this.
While strip tank thermometers may be quite cheap, they are not of decent quality and can easily be ruined.
To increase temperature, use either an under-tank heater or a heating lamp.
Do not place the under-tank heater underneath the tank; this may bake any molting hermit crabs that are in the tank. Instead, place it on the side of the tank.
Try to use low-wattage bulbs for your heating lamp. If you buy a wattage that is too high, you may bake your hermit crab if it climbs to the top of your tank. Unfortunately, heating lamps may lower your humidity.
NEVER use heating rocks; they can easily bake your hermit crab!
To cool off your tank, try darkening the tank or placing it in a cooler area. Also, shut off any heaters that may be running the tank.
Many people will advise you to stick the gauge near the top of the tank. However, how often is your hermit crab up there near the top? Unless your hermit crab is regularly up near the top, it will be more beneficial to stick gauges either in the middle or near the bottom several inches above the substrate, because that is where humidity and temperature truly matters.
WHERE TO BUY:
Note: You can probably find an endless amount of Internet pet supply stores through Google, who probably also sell the items you need.
Humidity gauges:
www.strictlypetsupplies.com/645.html
Temperature gauges:
www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/16293/product.web
www.strictlypetsupplies.com/645.html
www.cheappetstore.com/Reptiles/Reptile-Heating/Thermometers-Gauges
Misters and foggers:
www.cheappetstore.com/Reptiles/Reptile-Heating/Misting-Fogger-Machines/
