Questions about my Dubia setup

[PMPerformance]

Hello All,
I was looking for some insight on my Dubia setup.
I just recently started my small colony about a month ago. I have been trying different things with heat and still cannot get it too cozy in there.

I am running a 27 gallon plastic tub that I modified the lid for ventilation. (this one: http://www.lowes.com/pd_131957-61896-131957_0__?productId=4462423&Ntt=plastic+storage+bins&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dplastic%2Bstorage%2Bbins&facetInfo=)

I first had a human heat pad and thought it had a 2hr shutoff on it so took it back and got a UTH for 10-20gal tanks. This did not seem to be heating it enough so I took it back and got the next size up for 30-40 gallon tanks.
This one seems to get too hot if I kept it on the bottom of the tank. I was measuring 120* in some spots with my laser temp gauge. Rest of the tub was like room temp (70-73*)
I took it off the bottom and placed on one of the sides closer to the bottom and still seeing ambients around room temp.
I wrapped the tub in a towel and does not see to help at all.

With the bigger heatpack they will scurry around alittle, but still seem to hang in that corner all the time. They are eating the fruits and veggies, but not the chicken chow I tried from Tractor supply. Not a ton of the water crystals either.

Should I grab another 30-40gal heat pack to put on another side in hopes it heats up? Or maybe my tub is too thick?

Suggestions? I have this in my finished basement as its hard to find room to stash a tub of roaches actually in our living area. I havent had the heat on much yet, but I dont want to make the house uncomfortably hot just for the roaches sake.

 

[wes]

Wow, that bin looks huge. I never had much luck getting those types of bins heated efficiently, and I only had 18 gallon bins. I used human heating pads, tried blankets, tried putting a bin inside another bin. Eventually I realized a cooler was a better option and I heat it with a light hanging from a hole in the lid. As my roaches grew in numbers, I eventually had to use the bins again for the extras and used the human heating pads, no blankets. I've always kept them in the basement or garage.

The mid 80's F is generally considered an ideal temperature, but they should still breed in the 70's. As the colony grows, they will generate additional heat. The problem with the lower temps is that they will grow slower.

If your roaches are eating, they are probably fine. They will hang out where the temperature is most comfortable. They normally should not be scurrying around.

A lot of people will rest a ceramic heat emitter on their aluminum screen top. Some rest it on wood blocks because the lamp can get hot.

Someone had some instructions for attaching a light fixture to the side of the bin and using a ceramic heat emitter. It looked like an interesting idea. (I just did a search for it: https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=142138&hilit=fixture+hot+glue) You will definitely need a large vent on top, which you probably already have, not those small ones on the side.