Melting issue??

Byost86

Byost86

New Member
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88
Location
USA
Hello all I recently bought 200 Dubai roaches and I keep them in a large plastic Rubbermaid container. To make sure they stay at a temperature around 85-90 degrees F I was thinking of using a heat mat (like the ones used for the bottom of aquariums, not for your lower back :D) on the bottom of the Rubbermaid. My question is could the heat mat melt my tub or cause a fire? Also I did cut the top of the Rubbermaid lid, and hot glued a wire screen for air flow, if they heat mat wont work, could I use a heat light and set it on top of the screen on the container. Thanks in advance.


-Brian
 
acpart

acpart

Geck-cessories
Staff member
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15,264
Location
Somerville, MA
The zoomed heat mats say only for use on glass, however, I find them to be fine as long as you use a thermostat. Dubias prefer the dark, so I don't know if they'd like a heat light. You could also consider a ceramic heat emitter.

Aliza
 
indyana

indyana

Well-Known Member
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2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
I have a giant ZooMed heat pad on one side of my dubia bin. I use a thermostat with a temperature probe to keep it regulated. I would never trust a heat pad without a thermostat, as they can get way too hot for most critters.
 
Byost86

Byost86

New Member
Messages
88
Location
USA
How do you hook up a thermostat to the heat pad? I have never done that before can someone please explain to me how to do it.
 
indyana

indyana

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2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Sure, I have the heat pad taped to the side of the bin using Gorilla tape (very sticky tape... love it!). I have the heat pad plugged into the thermostat, and the thermostat gets plugged into the wall. I then routed the temperature probe in through the screened opening I had made for ventilation and taped it to the inside wall where the heat pad is. I put more tape over where the temperature sensor wire runs through the screen to prevent escapes. I put vaseline and clear packaging tape on the top section of the sensor wire because I was worried about little roaches climbing up it an escaping. So far, no issues.

The thermostat is set to 94 F, the highest setting it has. It won't be quite that warm inside the bin because the heat has to travel through the plastic wall, but my roaches are eating and breeding just fine.

I'll see if I can get a good picture or two and post them...

The thermostat I use is this one from Big Apple Herp, but you can use anything similar with a temperature probe and an adjustable temperature:
BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control
 
indyana

indyana

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Messages
2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Here are some pictures of my setup...




Large ZooMed taped to outside of bin, plugged into thermostat.



Temperature probe wire from thremostat is routed through ventilation screen. Excuse the wire hardware cloth. My cats think it's funny to walk across the screen. >_<



Temperature probe is taped to inside of heated wall. Put tape around wire right next to probe rather than wrapping probe itself.

​
 
DrCarrotTail

DrCarrotTail

Moderator
Messages
3,590
Location
Ridgewood, NJ
I tried a bulb with mine and they sat there not reproducing for about 6 months until I switched to an UTH. I just bought a human heating pad with no auto shutoff from amazon and it's been on for a couple years now with no issue. Not sure its the absolute best or safest method but it's working for me!
 
Byost86

Byost86

New Member
Messages
88
Location
USA
Where is the best placement on a Rubbermaid tub to attach a under heat mat? One the bottom or the side walls???
 
DrCarrotTail

DrCarrotTail

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3,590
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Ridgewood, NJ
probably depends on where you're putting the tub? If on the bottom you should elevate the tub a bit using the feet it comes with so there's a bit of air circulation. You may also need a thermostat or dimmer with a reptile heating pad as some get super hot.
 
indyana

indyana

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,336
Location
Massachusetts, United States
I agree that it probably does not matter as long as you provide some air circulation around the heat pad. I chose the side because it encourages the roaches to climb into the upper levels rather than all huddle at the bottom of the bin. Also, I can get double use out of the heat pad by placing cricket keepers or silkworm bins next to the dubia bin. :)
 
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