Heating Dubias

[Psychopopcorn]

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up using the UTH. I was GOING to stick with the human heat pad but I am leaving for about a week and I just did not feel ok with leaving it alone that long even though I am sure it would have been fine.

Anyway, I have a small bin with a UTH on the side. I put the small bin inside a large bin. Then I stuffed an old blanket in the open spaces between the small and large bin. (except for the side with the UTH). Then I wrapped the entire large bin up in an old sleeping bag. Then sat the Large bin lid lightly on top (air can pass through to the smaller bind vent hole). It looks like a bunker, but it works hahaha.

thanks again everyone.

 

[ez2bbad64]

for my setups i have two 40 breeder tanks on a stand one above the other. i am running zoomed under tank heaters on both tanks and a red 125w flood light on the lower tank but the heat rises and it helps keep the floor of the above tank nice and warm. it seems to be working as my roaches are doing very well

 

[Treehorn]

Don't wan't to hijack the thread but wanted to give my 2-cents on heating pad fires.

My wife had some real concerns about leaving a heating pad on for a long time.

I did some research to try and convince her to let me keep a heating pad running all the time.

The first thing I found is that the main reason most human heating pads have an auto shut-off is so that people don't leave them on their body too long and hurt themselves. We always assumed it was to prevent fires.

Also I found a lot of sites that discussed heating pad fires caused by dammaged cords. Old heating pads that are stored away with the cord wound tight, unwound for use and wound tight agian. This processs of winding and unwinding damages the cables on the inside and can cause a fire. If you have a new pad and take care of it you should not have a problem.

Im not saying it can't happen but I felt better after doing a bit of research.

To further put her mind at rest I installed a smoke detector right above the dubia colony.

On a side note, I wish this guy would get this product going http://exactproductsinc.com/ - it is perfect for this application. It is a powerstrip with a smoke detector built in. If it detects any smoke it cuts off power preventing electrical fires. Just a prototype right now but its cool.

 

[Psychopopcorn]

Hey that is really good information... I already have my set up all ready to go, But it is a rather small tub and I might need a second tub in the future. I still have the new human heat pad I purchased, So I will probably just use that for the second one. I feel a little better after reading this. Thanks. But for the first tub, its already packed in all snug and operational so I don't want to mess with it again.

(oh and I am a girl) hehe

 

[invictusrules]

I'm going to throw a curve to the discussion.

I've had Dubias for over 2 years, now. Unheated. Granted, they're not reproducing thousands of nymphs a minute, but I still get enough for Invictus. My house stays around 75-77 in the summer (though it feels hotter :evil: ) and 68 in the winter. I haven't really paid much attention, but it seems like there are little nymphs year-round.

I'm only feeding one beardie from the colony, and Dubias aren't his only feeder. An unheated colony might not be sufficient for single feeders for multiple beardies.

It might not work for everyone, but if it's a choice between not having Dubia because of the concerns of fire hazard, and trying a slower producing colony, well... you know my choice. (I'm super paranoid, having been through a house fire due to a short in the kitchen fan many years back.)