Blaptica dupia setup?

[ranchulas]

I was thinking of setting up a rubbermaid container with about 2 in of substrate and allowing my orange isopods to co-habitat with the roaches. Do you think this would work, and help keep the cleanings to a minimum? Just an idea I had to co-habitat two different cool inverts. Let me know what you guys and gals think.

 

[KyuZo]

That should work, but don't forget that the isopods need a little moister, otherwise they'll die.

 

[sick4x4]

I was thinking of setting up a rubbermaid container with about 2 in of substrate and allowing my orange isopods to co-habitat with the roaches. Do you think this would work, and help keep the cleanings to a minimum? Just an idea I had to co-habitat two different cool inverts. Let me know what you guys and gals think.

why do you need isopods???the poop, the adults leave behind feed the babys??? really you have a good set-up in mind but keep it simple..cleaning isnt as bad as you think if you use containers(lids ect.) just use fresh fruit like apples and oranges with water crystals... there shouldn't be a mess...hope that helps

wayne

 

[REAL]

Yeah man you don't need no freaken isopods.....they won't make much of a difference either and would either be near worthless or ....maybe even troublesome.

Forget them, roaches are okay on their own. Plus, like the above guy said, adult roach poop = frass = good for babies. Just think of roaches slightly differently from some other creatures like tarantulas, scorpions, etc. What you may have to watch out for the others, it might be different with roaches.


Later!

 

[bistrobob85]

What about putting no substrate? I've seen a few people do that and it seemed to work as good...

phil.

 

[Rochelle]

We do not use substrate with the dubia....makes it too hard to find the right sizes for feeding off; as they burrow if given the chance.
Also - it's easier to do maintanence on the tank. This makes a huge difference when you're (eventually) dealing with thousands of individuals..
Isopods are better used in T. tanks as cleaner uppers.....They'll live just fine even in a drier tank, so long as the water dish is overflowed occasionally. They simply congregate under the dish. We have found them to be especially useful in the communal setups...

 

[Xaranx]

Yeah don't use substrate if you are breeding feeders. They'll burrow and it'll be a huge pita to find babies. You'll have substrate in there soon enough.

 

[Kimo]

Just to add mine oppinion...you don't have to use substrate,but I noticed that when I put some(wood shavings) there were more babies and before that I didn't see many of them...now I have few thousand and they are doing better this way...but it is not precise and so accurate, I think you shoudl give it a try...soon I will make another colony and maybe try an experiment with no substrate and see what's better, but anyway they don't make mess, cose they don't need humidity, just some veggies or fruits every other day and it will be ok...hope this helps.

 

[arachnocat]

I don't keep mine in substrate, but I do have a few paper towels in the bottom. I noticed the very tiny newborn nymphs will hang out in the paper towels and under the food dish. So some kind of substrate might be a good idea. It's easier for me to find the nymphs in the paper towels than get them from the egg crates.

 

[Rochelle]

If you feel better using some kind of substrate for the nymphs' benefit...try throwing in many dried (sterilized) Oak leaves. It makes a good supplement; and doesn't hinder finding babies...while providing for their natural desire to 'hide'......
All of our tanks contain Oak leaves.

 

[NevularScorpion]

can isopod cohabitate with emps ?

 

[Stylopidae]

I don't see the difference between using substrate and not using substrate in the long run. The colony will eventually produce it's own substrate in the form of frass. When you start using substrate, there are short term benefits, however. My colony exploded a few weeks after I put substrate in, so I think substrate makes the roaches feel a bit less stressed. I use a 2" layer of cocobark and that works great.

 

[ranchulas]

I don't see the difference between using substrate and not using substrate in the long run. The colony will eventually produce it's own substrate in the form of frass. When you start using substrate, there are short term benefits, however. My colony exploded a few weeks after I put substrate in, so I think substrate makes the roaches feel a bit less stressed. I use a 2" layer of cocobark and that works great.

Yeah, I originally posted this because I am setting up 5 gallon with a smaller colony of "pet" roaches and wanted a more natural look. The isopods I figure will just help keep things tidy. My feeders get a different approach.