I’ll check out those gumtree ones. I also found some used for plant seedlings that only raise the temp 10-20 degrees which is perfect.
I bought a seedling heat mat which is said to only raise it 10-20 degrees. If the glass does get too hot would putting like let’s say some paper bag on the glass help with the hot glass but still give off heat into the tank?Yes, a heat mat attached to aquarium glass can reach +100 degrees. I' not sure what wattage mine are, but they are for 10 and 20 gallon tanks. You definitely want to use a thermostat with it - and NOT a reptile thermostat. I have blown through so much $ trying different ones that are ineffective. The best one I have found that is affordable is the 'VIVOSUN Digital Seedling Heat Mat Thermostat Controller 68-108℉' on Amazon. I have never had issues with them regulating heat like I have with zilla brand or rheostats.
That being said, I actually use a CHE for my dubia colony. I don't like using heat mats, the only ones I currently use are for my leopard geckos because they need the belly heat. I think heat mats provide inconsistent temperatures, it's annoying you can't move them between tanks or take them off the tank, you have to be careful that your glass doesn't get so hot it burns the critters (I have stone as a substrate for that reason), and you have to make sure your tank is positioned with ventilation around the heat pad. Except for the leos, I use CHEs and basking bulbs for all my critters. Just a thought.
Are you making money off the colony selling them to people? That’s a lot of tubs. Or do you have four because you’ve split them up by size?
When I had WAY too many I was selling them on craigslist wasn't too bad $ wise..I have 4 tubs because I had to slow them down lol 1 is my breeder colony, 1 is all females, 1 is all males 1 is my nymphs to grow out.
Oh ok. I plan on having a separate tank for nymphs.
