Dubia set-ups

[MSMD]

OK, so getting a bit further along in my journey to acquiring Dubias. :yes: I think I am going to start with 100 or so Dubias. I am planning on keeping them in a Rubbermaid-type tub with screened areas on the top and sides to provide venitlation (and I've heard cross-ventilation keeps them healthier ). I plan on using the water crystal-type stuff to keep them hydrated and Pro Geckos gutload to feed them as a staple, as well as various fresh friuts/veggies. Egg crates for hiding and hanging out. I know they like it warm.

My question is, basically, how do those of you that keep these guys keep them? Do you have a UTH under their tub? What size tub do you keep them in (and how many do you have)? Any other suggestions or anything that I'm planning that may not be ideal?

Thanks!

 

[LeapinLizards]

I think you have your head on straight so far Mari

I do exactly as you have done, with the exception of making my gutload from a 10 grain mix I buy in bulk, and blending in a high protein puppy food. My heat pad is under the side with the egg crates. The bin mine are in is a 30 Gallon Rubbermaid tub with, as you mentioned, screen on the top. So far, I'd venture to guess I have around 400 in there, and there is a TON of room to spare.

The egg crates are easier kept vertically, if you didn't already plan to. All the poop and sheds fall right to the bottom of the tub, making it VERY easy to clean.

Good luck!!!

 

[MSMD]

Oh, thank you, Heather, my fellow insomniac hero! The things I worry about late at night. :main_rolleyes: Thanks for the tip about the vertical egg crates. I did read that on a caresheet and forgot. I will make sure to do that. It makes much more sense. :yes: Thank you for sharing what size you're keeping them in and the fact that there is still room to spare.

Oh! One more thing:

what size/brand UTH are you using for the 30 gallon Rubbermaid?? I am thinking you would probably just buy the size appropraite UTH just the same as you would an aquarium (for a 30 gal)??

 

[LeapinLizards]

That's what I did! I used the large (or is it X-large) that I had on my 55 gallon at one point. They like it hot, so it's not too much of a worry that it gets over 90*.

And yes, I am an insomniac! I can wake up at 6am, and not be tired until 1am that night. It's bad.

 

[MSMD]

TY!

 

[fOOlsgOld]

I have a 36Gal tub (I think). Cut out a hole on either side at the top and screened them. I didn't have a spare UTH at the time so I just threw a heating pad under the tub and keep it on medium (my basement can get kinda cool in the winter). I use the crystals for water and throw in any kind of veggie/fruit we happen to have left overs of (apple cores, carrot tops/peals, potatoes, etc). I keep my egg crates flat, just thump them on the side of the bin when I clean and everything comes out. I'm going to go pass out now, hope this helps.

 

[nats]

I have mine on a uth.

 

[hoppslover]

I have a UTH on mine too, but also keep mine in the room where my furnace and hot water heater are. It is just naturally warmer in there. Mine are doing pretty well.

 

[Paco]

I am using the Basic set ups like everyone for now. But I will be producing the Roach Rack Condo here very soon. Will be the best set up for roaches out there. At a very affordable price and come in a Variety of size's from the small Roach colony to Racks to house 1,000,000 and more.

They will be complete systems with Heat, Small Fan for Air Flow Control, humidifier, Screened floors( for Various Species) with a removable bottom drawer for easy Frass clean up, Side venting for air flow, Order-Be-Gone pucks(order Eliminating device 100% Natural and NON chemical), Screened Sorting Pales for various species. Or as Basic units with out the extras. I should have the first proto-type done in a week or two. If you have any questions shoot me an e-mail or PM.

 

[breanna-banana13]

I am using the Basic set ups like everyone for now. But I will be producing the Roach Rack Condo here very soon. Will be the best set up for roaches out there. At a very affordable price and come in a Variety of size's from the small Roach colony to Racks to house 1,000,000 and more.

They will be complete systems with Heat, Small Fan for Air Flow Control, humidifier, Screened floors( for Various Species) with a removable bottom drawer for easy Frass clean up, Side venting for air flow, Order-Be-Gone pucks(order Eliminating device 100% Natural and NON chemical), Screened Sorting Pales for various species. Or as Basic units with out the extras. I should have the first proto-type done in a week or two. If you have any questions shoot me an e-mail or PM.

if you can make it 100% escape proof then sign me up. lol. i want dubias soo bad but i still live at home and my mother will not let willingly let roaches into the hose (weird). do you have a website or pics of them yet?

 

[Bennayboi]

Dubia roaches are VERY poor climbers. The baby nymphs can only get half way up the normal rubbermaid container i have them in. Unless you are extremely "clumsy" and dont pay much attention to what youre doing, its near impossible for them to escape.


My set up is just an 18 gallon rubbermaid container on top of a heat pad made for humans(for backs and such). A few egg crates and a food/water dish and they are good.

 

[Paco]

It will be 100% Escape proof for sure. Smooth walled interior boxes. It will even be escape proof for climbing species as well. Hinged Main lid which will have an Airtight seal!!:main_thumbsup: Completely enclosed system. :main_yes: I am hoping to have my proto-type done within week or two. I had talked to several Rack makers about making them for me but the cost was to great. So i did a lot of research and found products better than most, but at an affordable cost and if they can be made in any type of Qtys the price will drop greatly. So hopefully soon.

if you can make it 100% escape proof then sign me up. lol. i want dubias soo bad but i still live at home and my mother will not let willingly let roaches into the hose (weird). do you have a website or pics of them yet?

 

[thekooliest]

It will be 100% Escape proof for sure. Smooth walled interior boxes. It will even be escape proof for climbing species as well. Hinged Main lid which will have an Airtight seal!!:main_thumbsup: Completely enclosed system. :main_yes: I am hoping to have my proto-type done within week or two. I had talked to several Rack makers about making them for me but the cost was to great. So i did a lot of research and found products better than most, but at an affordable cost and if they can be made in any type of Qtys the price will drop greatly. So hopefully soon.

What do you think the price will be?

 

[Paco]

What do you think the price will be?

Sam... I will offering multiple sizes, not to sure of exactly how many but at least 3-4 to start off with. Or I can custom make any size you would like. From a small condo for 250ct Colonies to Racks which could house 100,000 or more depending on the species. I want these to be as affordable as possible but I do not want to skimp on the construction or the Quality of the materials involved. So right now I am trying to find the fine line between being affordable and well made without sacrificing quality. They should be very reasonable though for what you will be getting.

One thing I have noticed is how people don't realize how Important their feeders are. I mean at $1.00 for Adult Dubia 1000ct is $1,000 dollars. This more than most would ever invest in a single animal. But they will spend $100's of dollars to house and maintain a $50 animal. And put $1000 of roaches in a basic bin and call it good. Just does make sense to me, at least from a business stand point. Just because it's a bug does not make it any less valuable than an animal. I am now starting to realize that the bugs are as important if not more important than the animals and should be treated as well if not better( man that just sounds weird, lol). Whats going to make you more in the long run. $500 1.1 pair of Lizards or the 1000 Adult Dubia?

So thats what made me think of the Roach Rack Condos.

 

[thekooliest]

Sam... I will offering multiple sizes, not to sure of exactly how many but at least 3-4 to start off with. Or I can custom make any size you would like. From a small condo for 250ct Colonies to Racks which could house 100,000 or more depending on the species. I want these to be as affordable as possible but I do not want to skimp on the construction or the Quality of the materials involved. So right now I am trying to find the fine line between being affordable and well made without sacrificing quality. They should be very reasonable though for what you will be getting.

One thing I have noticed is how people don't realize how Important their feeders are. I mean at $1.00 for Adult Dubia 1000ct is $1,000 dollars. This more than most would ever invest in a single animal. But they will spend $100's of dollars to house and maintain a $50 animal. And put $1000 of roaches in a basic bin and call it good. Just does make sense to me, at least from a business stand point. Just because it's a bug does not make it any less valuable than an animal. I am now starting to realize that the bugs are as important if not more important than the animals and should be treated as well if not better( man that just sounds weird, lol). Whats going to make you more in the long run. $500 1.1 pair of Lizards or the 1000 Adult Dubia?

So thats what made me think of the Roach Rack Condos.

Smart.

 

[clear]

Here is a few pics of my setup, the dubia are in the clear tub beside the blue one.
I have heat cable under the metal.

For food I buy a few varieties of pet foods and grind them up. I dont waste money buying other peoples food when they do about the same thing.

 

[thekooliest]

I was kinda rushing my reply before. But I had a more thorough read, and you are 100% correct about people not caring for their feeders. They are so much money...for one roach you can pay up to $1.50, and people have 100s to 1,000s of these...and place them in tubs (including me ). You made me think about this now, and I might have to get one of those depending on the price.

 

[Bennayboi]

People usually dont buy feeder roaches individually. Buy several dozen for $20-$50 and then let them breed. Then youll have thousands for free. All thats necessary is cheap, efficient housing to keep them alive and healthy.

 

[Paco]

People usually dont buy feeder roaches individually. Buy several dozen for $20-$50 and then let them breed. Then youll have thousands for free. All thats necessary is cheap, efficient housing to keep them alive and healthy.

That only works if you have a few animals. I mean I can go through 1000 small roaches a week easy and I only have 20 animals. You need large numbers if you have a lot of animals.

You could also say the same thing about any animal as well. All that is really necessary is the Basics, something cheap. But look at all the money people spend on Caging ect, when all they really need is the basics.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Paco

1) I would be interested in learning more about your Roach Condo Set-Up and I only have a few Geckos.

2) People spend money on the Basics because they want to believe that their Gecko is comfortable and they think that is the way that they would want it to be if they were a Gecko.

3) As for needing the Basics. How many people do you know that spend thousands for a Car and yet live in a dump?

We really only need a Model T Ford that is equiped with brand new parts and some of it's technology.