Dubia starting question

[mudskipper]

I don't think using a human heating pad is a good idea. I don't think it's meant to be on 24 hours a day. You may actually be increasing more risk of fire because you are trying to use something for other than its original purpose. I bet there's a warning on the package it's not to be on forever like a reptile heat pad.

Just stick with what was designed to be used this way and don't try to be too creative without doing an extensive research. Just google it.

For Zoo Med heat pad, you need to raise the tub. The heatpad can't be sandwiched between 2 surfaces or it will melt within a day. The heat pad will come with 4 plastic bumps, but they won't stick to your plastic tub because they are meant for glass. You would need to glue them to the bottom of your tub. If you want to be extra safe, glue something on the bottom of the tub at the 4 corners to raise the tub from the counter for an inch.

 

[ikkie78]

I don't think using a human heating pad is a good idea. I don't think it's meant to be on 24 hours a day. You may actually be increasing more risk of fire because you are trying to use something for other than its original purpose. I bet there's a warning on the package it's not to be on forever like a reptile heat pad.

Just stick with what was designed to be used this way and don't try to be too creative without doing an extensive research. Just google it.

For Zoo Med heat pad, you need to raise the tub. The heatpad can't be sandwiched between 2 surfaces or it will melt within a day. The heat pad will come with 4 plastic bumps, but they won't stick to your plastic tub because they are meant for glass. You would need to glue them to the bottom of your tub. If you want to be extra safe, glue something on the bottom of the tub at the 4 corners to raise the tub from the counter for an inch.

Yeah you have a good point there...I'll put some feet on my bin so it's not sandwiching the UTH...tha is for the idea!

 

[gyrene2083]

Guys, I'm really sorry for asking this one last question, how in the world can I honestly heat up a plastic bin without it melting. I have searched on google and I see flextape, and I have seen heating pads for people but they shut off. So, how could I use the flextape on a plastic bin, wouldn't it melt? I saw this flextape sold at westcoastroaches is that what I need?

 

[mudskipper]

The hottest part of the heat pad gets up to like 140F. I have quite a few heat pads and I often point a temp gun around them to see how hot they actually are.

I personally heat my dubias with a 100w ceramic heat lamp from the top because I couldn't get my bin pass 80F with a large heat pad. My house is around 70F.

I do have a medium Zoo Med heat pad that I stuck on the cut out rectangular piece of the lid of the dubia bin. It's the same material as the bin and it doesn't melt. I lean this heat pad (stuck to the plastic piece so the glue doesn't wear out) to a triple decker mealworm set up, which is also plastic. As long as you have good airflow on one side of the heat pad, it will be fine. Otherwise the heatpad itself will melt and break before it even melts the bin. This happened to me. That's why I know now to always raise the heatpad from the floor.

But just use a Hydrofarms Thermostat if you worry that it will get to hot. Plug the heat pad into the thermostat and set it to shut off at 85F. Drill a small hole on the side of the bin so you can push the probe through. Keep the probe at the center of the tank (not at the bottom).

 

[gyrene2083]

I personally heat my dubias with a 100w ceramic heat lamp from the top because I couldn't get my bin pass 80F with a large heat pad. My house is around 70F.

Being that I already have this, in my house, I'm going to go with this for now. I have a point and shoot thermometer, and an extra one that actually tells the temp and humidity so I'll run each sensor to each side of the bin and hang the thermometer outside. I'll tape the wires down with clear tape in case any of the critters feel adventurous and want to climb.

Seriously, thank you for all your help and I want to thank others for their in put as well. If I missed something please point it out. Thanks.

 

[Buckmaster299]

Ok, I'm not an expert but my human heating pad has worked just fine for the last 2 months or so and i never have to put it bast low so it doesn't get extremely hot like you would think. I have actually put the pad and bin on some egg crate flats just to keep from my floor being messed up by the heat. Knock on wood no issues. the floor barely even gets really hot. just a thougth ya'll.

 

[krolmariusz]

You don't need all adult unless you want them to start to breed right away. If you start now, you could just get all small, too. It sounds like you have like 6 months to prepare. The smaller they are the cheaper they will be. You can easily get 500 for $25. 100 adult could be as much as $100 I think?

You can buy roach chow from the For Sale section, too. My dubias love that stuff.

100 adults are way too much. unless you have enof reptiles that will eat all about 2,500 nymphs a month.... start with 3 males and 15 females along with some mediums and even more smalls