Dubia Heating II

[GlaedrAg]

I searched for this on bd.org, but found a thread that was locked. My question isn't what to use, but how to place it under the bin. We are going to use a human heat pad. Is it ok to place that on the floor then the bin directly on top of it? If we end up using an uth, can the same thing be done or does there need to be some sort of elevation/space between the floor and underside of bin/heatsource?

 

[GoFast]

yes you can put the dubia bin directly on top of the heatpad. For the dragon, do not use a UTH at all!

 

[bigmac1]

I use an uth on my bin of dubias just fine it is placed directly on the bottom of the bin it's only an 8watt heating may so I know that won't burn anything or melt the bin

 

[GlaedrAg]

Sherlock's enclosure is heated via lamp...no uth there

Thanks for the help in the Dubia bin. Depending on how the human heat pad works I'll either stay with it or go with an uth. I knew they wouldn't melt the bin, but was worried about placing the bin directly on the floor (hardwood) with the uth attached.

It was hilarious watching Sherlock watch me transfer the Dubias to their bin. He just about busted through the glass trying to get to them. I fed him 2 adult males which he promptly scarfed up.

 

[bigmac1]

thats exactly how my dragons act when they see Dubias or turks they just love them

 

[clear]

When I was researching on what to use to heat my roaches bins, I wanted something that was cheap and that wouldnt use a lot of power. That is why I went with the heat cable. My heat cable is rated at 8w for 15' and was like $15. Heating pads are $20+ and rated at 50w so they cost more up front and in the long run.

 

[GlaedrAg]

How do you have your heat-cable attached? I'm at work and cannot view most pictures that are posted. So, would you mind giving me a written description?

 

[Little D]

I too just switched to the heat cables. I was using heating pads like most people but don't really like the idea of a heating pad being on in my house 24/7.

The heat cables, I did like in a post here and cut squares of galvanized metal, measured to where they would cover half of the bottom of the tote. I then zig zagged the heat cable back and fourth across the sheet metal, kind of like in an S pattern, fastening it to the metal with electrical tape. Keep in mind when ordering or buying your heat cable, that there is a big section of the heat cable that is "Cold solder" and never does provide heat. For instance, the heat cable I bought was a 11.5' 15watt cable. The first 6' or so of the cable is cold solder, so really, only about 5 feet of the cable is providing heat.

I've got two of these 11.5' cables set up on the sheet metal like explained, plugged into a Rheostat which allows me to control the heat should it get too hot. This is controlling two totes of my colony.

Once you're able to view pics, this is the post I got the idea from for the heat cable:

viewtopic.php?f=76&t=92865&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=heat+cable

Here's a pic of a rheostat:

 

[GlaedrAg]

Thank you very much for that. I'll check that linked thread when I get home for the pics.