Reptile & Amphibian Forums

well ive had herps for about4 years. ive always kept them in the little critter carriers..u no those travel things. as a result ive had fairly high loss and i guess i just got used to losing most of them. well now thats its hotter and im up to feeding over 50 crix a week(that will prolly double after the herp show on saturday!)and its soo hot in my room(not 2 mention the cage is only bout 8inches by 4 inches by 5 inches high) that more crix are dying.i use oatmeal to completely cover the bottom of the cage and use water pillows for hydration(i used to use the gel cricket drink but that was messy and smelled and was more likely to cause mold)and i also use egg cartons covering the whole thing. i was going to put a large 20 gallon aquarium(should i use a slate or glass bottom?)since i have 2 or 3 of them(i also have 3 that are 3ft by 1.5 ft by 16 in. but i wasnt going 2 use one that big, they are for unexpected arrivals) if i use a glass bottom one i can use a screen lid that is y i prolly wont use the slate(the screens dont fit the tops of those.)anyway it will be in the basement where it is A LOT cooler. i was going to cover the whole bottom with the oatmeal... or can i jsut cover half or so? and i was gonna put lots of egg cartons and the water pillows and such. how long do you think, under these conditions can i keep a hundred or so crix a live? i saw web sites selling 1000 crix for 10$ and i am already paying 1$ for 15 and 2 places and $1.20 for 15 at others. but i didnt think i could keep that many crix in a 20 gallon tank so i pretty much just forgot the whole 1000 crix/ save a crapload of money idea. oh and do you guys think they will breed? it doesnt matter unless i have to do sumthing special with them after they breed(like when i have to seperate the mealworm colonies that i also breeed)because i really dont have time to do anything special with the crix. wow i didnt mean to type this much but i would really appreciate a reply since i have had such bad luck with them over the years. oh yea 1 more question... how bad will they stink? so far they dont really smell but i have been to pet stores where the smell is overwhelming...lots of smashed crix on the bottom of the containers, oh and you jsut gotta love the smell when u open a bag of em! *ewww. lol
thanks
~icy(sara)

Sarah, Question why are you using oatmeal to cover the bottom. Its costly, most likely smelly, and WOULD be a breeding ground for bacteria. I personally don't use a substrate at all.

I personally think a 20gallon is a whole lot of money, just ofr keeping crickets in. I just keep mine in a large criiter keeper.

Make sure your crickets aren't too cold aswell, as crickets will also die easily in the cold.

My setup is just a plain large critter keeper, with a large section of egg carton(BUT NOT COVERING THE WHOLE AREA), a dish full of flukers cricket gutload(Personally when I'm finished with the gutload I'm changing to a different brand!)(With the gutload I also have fishflakes,aquatic frog pellets, some extras), a small lid with the cricket calcium quencher, and usually a small dish with fresh fruits/veggies.

If you want to breed crix, have a seperate cage for a couple dozen adults. Have a medium sized dish with damp bed-a-beast(Well thats aleast what I use). Maybe keep the dish in for a day, or two then take it out and keep it in it's own container(eep the soil damp).

Hope I've helped some,
Steven

i know it would be costly to go out and buy a 20 gal. for crix but i already have them leftover from be4 i built my customs. so i have like 5 big tanks downstairs that arent being used.i have been using oatmeal since i got them. i just get that cheep rolled oats stuff from the dollar store. its only like a dollar for a container of it.thats what they eat but if i should just put it in cups instead of using it as a substrate then thats even better. i used to use the crix gutload too but its soo expensive and easier just to feed them oatmeal and other stuff(i sumtimes give them leftover boxie food) .
its not that its cold down there but its cooler than my room which is killing them. i have over 8 heat lamps in there(give or take a few) and since im going to another show saturday im getting a few more herps, which means even more. my room is baking right now since the sun rises in my window and all the lamps are on. even with a fan its about 90 degrees. its soo hot in fact ive been having trouble keeping my tanks at optimal heat because they are overheating but if i turn the lights off then they arent hot enuff and dont have the correct photoperiod.

im not looking to breed crix but it would be nice if they would do it on there own. i dont have the time to pick out adults like i have to do already with the mealie beatles.(the worms eat wholes straight thru the beatles!)

also, im guessing i should keep the screen on since its a 20 long?? correct? i have screens handy so thats not a problem either.