Would this be a good roach set-up?

[thegeckoguy23]

Well tomarrow I'm going to my pet store and I'm getting some crickets for the first time in a yr and a half and if I don't get them I may get 2 pairs of dubias (I proably won't get them but possably). I have got them before but never got to breed them or keep more then I use in one feeding. Can I keep 2 pairs of dubias in a 88 qt sterlite (I well be using this for when I get more roachs if this all works out) with 2 egg crates and a bowl with dog food and a food bowl with something as a water source.



Jake

 

[Imperial Geckos]

88 qts. sounds a little to big for 2.2 B. Dubia..

You can keep them successfully in a large "Kritter Keeper" or something close to that size

 

[joeyjoe9876]

make sure if you do get a pair to have a heat strip or something on one of the sides, if it is too cold they will be slow and won't breed, or just die.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

Okay but what temps do they like?




Jake

 

[thegeckoguy23]

88 qts. sounds a little to big for 2.2 B. Dubia..

You can keep them successfully in a large "Kritter Keeper" or something close to that size

Yea thats what I'm gonna be using for the colony if i even start one im gonna put them in there along with the others if i get any more.



Jake

 

[BrilliantEraser]

Breeding temperature for dubia should be around 88 degrees Fahrenheit (though I hear a range from 85-95 is okay), and humidity should be in the mid range, around 50-60%

If you use water gel as a moisture source for the dubia, that'll keep the humidity at a good enough level that you won't have to mist the sides of the tank to maintain humidity.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

Breeding temperature for dubia should be around 88 degrees Fahrenheit (though I hear a range from 85-95 is okay), and humidity should be in the mid range, around 50-60%

If you use water gel as a moisture source for the dubia, that'll keep the humidity at a good enough level that you won't have to mist the sides of the tank to maintain humidity.

Okay thanks a lot! Thats mostly what I was looking for in a answer


Do you breed them? If so can you post a pic of your inclouser?



Jake

 

[BrilliantEraser]

No, sorry, I don't breed them. I did a lot of research into the feasibility of breeding them, but then it turned out that my beardie doesn't really like them. :laugh: Here's a list of the sites I was reading when I was researching the whole thing, though:
http://www.nyworms.com/dubiacare.htm
http://www.herpcenter.com/breeding-feeder-insects/breeding-blaptica-dubia.html

And here's an example of a good colony set-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT7vXo0r9k

 

[thegeckoguy23]

Okay, Thank you a lot! Haha never herd of a berdie not like roaches!



Jake

 

[gumbii]

it's going to take forever to get a colony out of a pair... they have 30 babies once a month per female... they also grow pretty fast, so if you have a baby gecko, you aren't always going to have food for them...

i have mine in a 18G sterelite container i got for 4 bucks at walmart... the screen for the top was another 4 bucks at walmart, then got a 50W personal heater at rite aid... it's one of those therapy ones, about 12"x14"... placed it under one side of the tub and have it set on the lowest setting right now... in the tub i have 6 egg crates, a cut paper cup for the food, i've been using roach mix for the dubias, but i also feed them chicken purina from a bird feed store... it's what you feed baby chicks... along with various fruits and veggies... water crystals are a must, and for humidity, i got a little plastic container with 3 small holes punched in the top... i fill it up with water and place it over the hot side... that works so well...


since you're starting small, i would still use a bigger tote for them... it will be easier to handle them all and clean it out every once in a wile...

when i started my colony, i went on craigslist and found a local breeder... he set me up pretty good for 20 bucks... i like my roaches... after them i got madagascars, death heads and i'm looking for turkistan...


also... feed them oranges... it makes them breed faster for some reason, but i also read that the citric acid is not good for some herps... but i feed them this constantly to speed up the numbers on my colonies...



good luck...