What brand of reptile heater for roaches?

[JasonSinger]

I am setting up a dubia colony and want to know what brand of heater your guys use? Many say they heat constantly at 100F, is that too hot for dubias?

 

[JasonSinger]

Anyone have ideas?

Is 100F too hot?

 

[pssh]

I keep it at 90-95 one one end. I like heat tape. Heat tape is fun.

 

[JasonSinger]

what is heat tape?

 

[pssh]

I dunno if they have it up there, but it's called flexwatt heat tape and it comes in 3", 4", 11", 17", 21" widths and up to 100 feet long. You hook it up to an electrical chord and add a dimmer. BAM! You have adjustable heat for whatever you need.

 

[ghettomike]

I just use a sunbeam brand therapeutic heating pad from the drugstore for $15 and it keeps the temps perfect in my roachbin. Just make sure you get one without auto shutoff.

 

[JasonSinger]

ill have to look for one without the auto off ... is 100F too hot though?

 

[Texas Ranger]

I have my Dubia's in a plastic tote. Can I use a Exo Terra Heat Wave Desert Vivarium mat Heater 120V? I thought I could stick it to one side of the tote. But Im not sure if it will make enough heat or to much heat for the plastic tote.

Thanks

 

[ghettomike]

Mine stays around 90-95degrees and its ok so 100 should be ok but I wouldnt go any higher for sure.

 

[JasonSinger]

ok cool ... and should i use a water dish for water? or are vegetables/fruit enough? what do you do?

 

[Syn]

I would see if you can't cool it a little.

The Bean Farm has some great UTH heaters. Expensive but worth it.

 

[ghettomike]

ok cool ... and should i use a water dish for water? or are vegetables/fruit enough? what do you do?

Roaches will drown in a water dish. alot of people use water crystals but I personallly just throw in oranges and other juicy fruit and it seems to be fine mind you that my colony is not massive yet.

 

[Fool]

try oranges or water cubes or sponges but most people would agree fruits and water crystals are good. or wet napkins

 

[JasonSinger]

how about things like pears, oatmeal, banana, lettuce?

 

[JasonSinger]

also ... where in canada can i but the crystals online? shipping from the US seems out of control high

 

[Syn]

how about things like pears, oatmeal, banana, lettuce?

I would follow an already verified to be good gutload instead of making what you think the roaches will like -- I am not so sure about the pears or banana.. oatmeal is iffy if it has sugar, and it depends on the lettuce.