UTH for crickets?

[trickshot]

I've got a surplus 55 gallon tank that I'm going to split into two sides for crickets (while one side is being cleaned out from my last batch, I'll use the opposite side for the current batch). This tank will be kept against an interior wall in our basement, where the temp will be around 70 degrees. I plan on lining the bottom with pine bedding from a pet store and will have various places to hide and have food and water available. Will I need an under the tank heater?

 

[trickshot]

Also, will the UTH need to cover across the whole bottom of the tank, or will just a large majority of the middle section be okay?

 

[CooperDragon]

I have a UTH under one side of the tank. I put cardboard rolls over that so it heats the "housing" side of the tank while the other side is for food. It works pretty well. Just be sure to elevate it on a bakers rack or similar to get airflow under the pad to help prevent it from overheating.

 

[trickshot]

Thanks! I'm going to build a little stand just to get it up off the ground.