1)What should be the capacity for a 35 gallon bin?Thousands, I keep breeder colonies in 35gallon tubs actually.
2)What is the best method to heat the bin? (i.e. heat pad, cable, etc?)I love heat cable. Cheapest per watt to run and easy to move around.
3)How many should I buy to start this colony?As many as you can afford. The more you invest now the faster they will save you money. If and when you do buy, make sure your getting adults, the more the better!
Based on my very recent experience, leave a space. I was using a heat mat for one of my roach bins and it evidently went haywire, melted a BIG hole all the way through the bin. I've got roaches everywhere now
Based on my very recent experience, leave a space. I was using a heat mat for one of my roach bins and it evidently went haywire, melted a BIG hole all the way through the bin. I've got roaches everywhere now
The only thing I've done against this is put a towel folded in half long ways and rolled up the ends so the bottom edges of the tub at each end are sitting on the towel rolls. The heat pad is laying loosely underneath the tub on top of the towel (I wonder if that sentence makes any sense). I guess it would look something like this O=====______O The heatpad is slightly touching plastic, but it's not constantly pressed up against it with out some sort of circulation.
wow... thanks for the pic! I am struggling with my roaches. One, I was using a small undertank heater and it made a burn mark on my linoleum floor. Two, they are not reproducing very much. I have had them since march. I dont think my temps are high enough and maybe not enough humidity. I have had a few die offs, maybe 10. I started with 150 mixed with extra adults. I do think I will try this set up for my heating for my bin. hopefully that will help.