Heating a Roach Colony

[Jon Macintosh]

Like many others I house my current colony in a Rubbermaid tote and am needing to provide more heat.

I have an unused UTH that's designed to adhere to the side/bottom of a tank, but does anybody have insight on how they believe it will fair adhered to a Rubbermaid tote?

It's a Zoo-Med - by the way.

 

[TarynLee]

I've heard those are not meant for plastic and can melt the Tupperware. I just have a regular for human use heat pad. But you have to make sure to get one without an automatic shut off timer

 

[Augie]

Like many others I house my current colony in a Rubbermaid tote and am needing to provide more heat.

I have an unused UTH that's designed to adhere to the side/bottom of a tank, but does anybody have insight on how they believe it will fair adhered to a Rubbermaid tote?

It's a Zoo-Med - by the way.

I've heard of people using one with no issue, and others stating it turned their bin into melted goop. Maybe look at the brand and the model number and review the specifications on their website?

 

[dragonfab32]

haha i was just about to ask this question!

 

[dragonfab32]

idk what a UTH is but if its a heat light or emitter thing thats in the shape of a light i strongly recomend you dont do it! i left a uvb ray emitter thing that sits on top of the cage too close to the plastic outline of the tank and 20 minutes later my beardies repto carpet was ruined from the side of the tank melting and dripping onto it but anyways a reptile heat pad for the bottom wont work??

 

[Augie]

idk what a UTH is but if its a heat light or emitter thing thats in the shape of a light i strongly recomend you dont do it! i left a uvb ray emitter thing that sits on top of the cage too close to the plastic outline of the tank and 20 minutes later my beardies repto carpet was ruined from the side of the tank melting and dripping onto it but anyways a reptile heat pad for the bottom wont work??

UTH = Under Tank Heater. It's basically a sticky pad you can place under a tank to heat animals, typically certain types of reptiles. But sometimes roaches too, especially when they are housed in fish tanks.

 

[dragonfab32]

oh dang thats what i was planning on doing is it possible to find one with a heat adjuster??

 

[Abyss]

I know a few ppl who heat there colonies with the large Rubbermaid bins and uth and works like a charm. Those large thick tubs are very durable and are thick enough to withstand the heat. I was researching starting a colony of illegals lol but changed my mind, but that's the way it was recommended to heat it

 

[dragonfab32]

ya that's how I would think people would heat it a heat emitter is too hot I would think and a light wouldn't be good for them

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Light wouldn't be seeing as how they MUCH prefer the dark - but I decided to go ahead and give them an upgrade to an aquarium! I had far more in my bin than I suspected!

Thank you everybody for your input, and I have one more heat related question:
I have one UTH that I'm going to attach to the aquarium but with my current setup would two suit best? If so would it be best with one on the bottom of either side of one on each side of the tank?

 

[Jon Macintosh]

oh dang thats what i was planning on doing is it possible to find one with a heat adjuster??

If you're wanting to use an actual UTH then a rheostat is your best option, in my eyes, for controlling the temperature.

 

[PatsyB]

That's impressive! In my experience the UTH heats the area directly around the heater, so maybe 2 would work better.

 

[Jon Macintosh]

That's impressive! In my experience the UTH heats the area directly around the heater, so maybe 2 would work better.

Many thanks!
Sounds like two might be the way to go!

 

[dragonfab32]

hmmm ok i think ill get an aquarium how big do u suggest?

 

[Jon Macintosh]

It depends on how big your colony is - it's all about sizing. The one in my photos is a thirty gallon since I felt a ten gallon was too small.
Plus the thirty will give me room for expansion!

 

[Jon Macintosh]

After attaching the UTH to the underside of the aquarium and using a probe, I find the temperature of the glass right on the UTH is about 80 degrees - from what I've read this isn't optimal.

What is an alternative source of heat that I could invest in?

The only other thing I've found it Flex Watt heat tape.

Or have I been steered wrong and 80 degrees is more than suitable?

 

[Augie]

At 80 degrees they will definitely survive, but probably breed more slowly than if it were in the 95-100 degree range. I'm not familiar with heat options for aquariums. With my Sterillite tubs I use flex watt tape on one and a cheap human heating pad with no auto-shutoff on the other. They both work perfectly.

 

[Jon Macintosh]

Then I most definitely need a way to reach the 95-100 degree range! I shall keep exploring options and welcome any more input on the matter!Many thanks, Augie.

 

[Augie]

Then I most definitely need a way to reach the 95-100 degree range! I shall keep exploring options and welcome any more input on the matter!Many thanks, Augie.

Sure thing. Keep in mind they will still breed, just more slowly. I have a tub I kept at about 75 degrees for a few months and saw slow growth. It was slower than the tub I kept heated.

 

[maxxdout]

I'm worried about them growing daddy and being to big to feed to my babies, and over population....cooler temps a good preventing these?