Dubia Heat Mat or No Heat Mat

[Dmoney]

Ok I have my first order of Dubias coming in. I have seen a lot of different set up, but would like those of you you have established colonies to give me a recommendation. My main concern I guess is melting my plastic tub or starting a fire. So what do you guys think?

Thanks for your help.

 

[changilass]

I was worried about the heat mat too, so I made a polystyrene box that I can put the large plastic tub in.

I have folded an electric blanket so it covers the bottom and the sides of half of the tub and have it on setting number 2.

Temps are holding up well with this set up.

 

[jodyberry]

I couldn't get the heat mats to keep up my temps so I'm now using a CHE inside a plastic bin with great success:

http://jodyberry.smugmug.com/Vivarium/Dubias-Part-2/15446316_6vHwa#1156507480_iFBNL

 

[Vacren]

So... is it possible you're having the heating issues because over 1/4 of your lid is cut out? I would be much more concerned with starting a fire with a CHE than a heating pad.

 

[jodyberry]

No that's been changed since the photo you saw. There's only a small opening now. Plus its 30 gal and the heating pad did very little to keep the temps up.