Should be Hot Enough Right?

[LizMarie]

Almost two weeks ago (i think) I received some dubia roaches and my plan is to breed them so I have them in a 10gallon tank with an unregulated UTH, lid full of water crystals, another one with food and one more with some fruit (cantalope is the fruit of the week this time around) and some paper towel rolls for hiding spots. I don't have a thermometer in the tank or a thermostat set up for it but its in my closet with the doors closed so I can try and contain the heat. I felt the bottom of the tank and felt that it was pretty warm, warm enough that I could feel that it was definately hotter than my hand. With that being said the UTH should be getting hot enough right? I want them to be comfortable enough to start breeding soon but I'm worried about the heat not being high enough.

Little Punks! Sucked up a crap load of water crystals already.

 

[LizMarie]

Anyone?

 

[OhioGecko]

Don't know if it is hot enough without an actual temp reading. Do you have a thermometer that you can place in it for 15 min to take a reading?

 

[Astrael]

They breed best with 80ish temps. And your best off buying bulk water crystals. They need a LOT of water. You will go through an ounce a month at least depending on colony size. Once you get a ton of nymphs, you'll see the food disappear too. Best to stick with a good cat food and enough fruits and veggies. They seem to prefer a rather high protein diet.

And a word for the wise, you'll need more then a 10 gal for them. I had lobsters in a 20 gal and they outgrew that. Big plastic tubs are the way to go. And human heating pads work great for heating. Just make sure it doesn't have an auto shut off.

This is a great size for a colony. Put screen over a hole in the top, and you're set. I'd say keep the extra adult males in that 10g.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10401053

And I've monitored my temps for a long time, and while actually seeing temps is best, I've noticed that water crystals on the cool side dry out within 2 days at good temps. That's another reason the human heating pads are best, you can usually adjust the temps a little. Also, they won't breed well if they're too cold. So, if you don't get any babies from breeding age adults in 6 weeks, you should up the temps somehow.

Hope that helps. Good luck.