Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so i hear from a couple of you that the Dubia roach is the way to go on feeding your dragon...Is there any down side to this? Also would you feed your dragon the same amount as if you were feeding them crickets? After all that I have read and read and read all about the set ups and I have found to use a plastic bin and glue a screen in the top to ensure plenty of air. Then the hard part for me is the flexwatt or heat tape? I have seen many different set ups for the stuff but everyone says buy a thermostat. I have no idea on any of this and only from what I have read and saw in videos on what to do. I am still unsure of how anyone hooks up a thermostat that would help control the amount of heat coming out. Maybe I am missing something but if anyone has like a link or can throw me some step by steps with pictures that would be great. I saw a video using Flexwatt and he showed me how to hook up the power cord and all that but no one shows the thermostat getting hooked up and how it would control your heat. So if someone here could point me in the right direction that would be great. I have looked around the web sites and cannot seem to figure out where this post should go. Thanks for the help!

Check out the FAQ on proexotics.com - Excellent info for setting up and using flexwatt

To heat my colony I personnaly use an under tank heater (like the ones for reptiles) and I place it under my container on one half only to allow my dubia to go on a cool side if they want.

There are several ways to wire flexwatt to a thermostat. You can also wire them to a dimmer switch as well..though this is less accurate...but for roaches, it may be fine..though only have the heat on one side of the cage, so they can move out of the heat if they get too hot.

Personally for roaches, I would just use an under tank heater or a human heating pad plugged into a thermostat or basic on/off rheostat (which is cheaper). Since roaches are not as sensitive to heat fluctuations as say, incubating eggs...a few decrees too hot or too cold once in awhile isn't likely to cause a major problem.

Anyway, some sites on wiring the flexwatt:

www.herpo.com/cages/wiring.html

www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_Wiring.pdf
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PHLdyPayne

Hey thanks for the post I found that from a youtube video a guy said he bought his stuff at beanfarm.com and i went to that website and they had some great info so i ended up buying my flexwatt tape from them and a dimmer switch. Do I need a thermostat is that question i have? Can i just set it up take the temp adjust it right and then enjoy?

Dimmer switch should be fine...just keep a digital thermometer inside the container and adjust the switch till you have the right temps...probably good to mark the switch so you have a way to know where to move it back to should something bump the switch accidentally.

Also, best to set up the temperature in the cage to a good level before putting the roaches in. This way if its too high, you won't accidentally cook them. It could take awhile for the tape to get to full temperature at the level its set..so it may seem ok after 5 minutes but 20 minutes later it could be way too hot. Probably good idea to check every half hour till its at a steady temperature for some time.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks I think I got the right direction Ill throw up some picks of it all when I have it put together.