Starting a Dubia Roach Colony

[ruben0311]

are the flats placed vertically? that way they hide in the small openings and not underneath.

 

[Nihilist]

are the flats placed vertically? that way they hide in the small openings and not underneath.

Yes
here is my set up

going to put more egg flats in it later today.
Edit: So far 3 have died...

 

[CooperDragon]

3 dead is not good. How is the humidity in the tank? Do the egg crates feel dry?

 

[Nihilist]

3 dead is not good. How is the humidity in the tank? Do the egg crates feel dry?

egg crates are dry do I need to make them damp?
Edit: I just traded the egg crates out with the new ones I ordered and put in a few more. I can mist them and the sides of the tub if needed.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd leave them dry. You don't want too much moisture buildup because it risks mold which will kill off your colony in a hurry. Your setup looks pretty good to me. Not sure what else could be going on unless maybe they arrived with something up. Maybe try some cardboard tubes and see if they take to those.

 

[Nihilist]

I'd leave them dry. You don't want too much moisture buildup because it risks mold which will kill off your colony in a hurry. Your setup looks pretty good to me. Not sure what else could be going on unless maybe they arrived with something up. Maybe try some cardboard tubes and see if they take to those.

I will have to find a place that sells them.

 

[Nihilist]

Is it OK to add calcium and/or vitamins to the water crystals? I can not believe how much water 1.5 teaspoons of this stuff can soak up.

 

[CooperDragon]

I just save the rolls from paper towels and toilet paper. Works really well. I didn't add anything to the crystals when I used them. Just a nice plain source of hydration. I use fresh veges now instead though.

 

[CooperDragon]

I just cleaned my tank out today and took a photo. This is how I have mine set up using the tubes.

 

[Nihilist]

Wow extremely nice set up. Would love to do it in an aquarium but don't have the cash at the moment to get one, at least one that seals good enough for the women in the house to trust that the roaches won't escape. I am just luck enough to be able to try and make my own colony, they are not happy about it but see the cost benefits.
Edit: the light doesn't seem to be bothering them at all.

 

[CooperDragon]

The glass tank isn't really necessary. Your bin with the vent on top will work just as well. I just had an extra tank on hand so used it. I just wanted to show an example of how I use the cardboard tubes vs the egg crates which are more common.

 

[Nihilist]

The glass tank isn't really necessary. Your bin with the vent on top will work just as well. I just had an extra tank on hand so used it. I just wanted to show an example of how I use the cardboard tubes vs the egg crates which are more common.

Thank you again. Still more than half of them are staying on the bottom of the tube, hiding under the egg flats or under the dry food. I put the dry food on a plastic lid, I cut so an size of roach could climb on it, but in the corner that it sits in the tube drops a little from the raised middle. I can tell that they have eaten a little bit of the dry food but they love the oranges and carrots I put in with them, they also have been eating the water crystals.
I have not found anymore dead ones but I have seen a couple completely white ones. They definitely stand out from the rest.

 

[CooperDragon]

The white ones are good. That means they're shedding and growing.

 

[Nihilist]

The white ones are good. That means they're shedding and growing.

lol well damn shows how little I know, I thought they were albinos. lol actually seen a few shed skins so I figured that's where the white ones came from since I didn't see any when I put them in but would be cool if I had some albino roaches.

 

[CooperDragon]

lol no such luck. Just the bugs with their shells off. They make tasty bonus treats! =)