Detail question on roach tub...

[scottyk]

Now that I'm in a place with more room, I want to uprade my Dubia housing from a 10 gallon glass tank to a big rubbermaid tub.

I'm planning on cross ventilaiting with two screen windows and have the following questions.

Any reason to look for a specific type of screening? I'm thinking that there may be a potential for roaches to chew through a plastic screen. I'm not too worried about Dubias, but want to get a roll of screen that I can use for any species that I may get in the future.

How are you all securing the windows to the tub? I'm leaning towards aquarium silicone but would love to hear of any simpler/cleaner solutions...

Thanks, and happy roach tubbing...

Scott

 

[jpet]

I used regular screen that I had lying around here. So far havn't had any problems with them chewing through, and its been about 9 months. As for securing it I went super hi-tech and used duct tape.

 

[scottyk]

Thanks for the reply- Duct tape certainly does sound easier than silicone...

 

[Senses-Tingling]

I use aluminum screen and I hotglue it in place. Unless you are using something with extreme humidity, you don't need to spend a lot of money on aquarium-grade silicon. I put screen on both sides of the tub. I have heard of roachers that used it only on the outside wall having some escapees.

 

[Mister Internet]

I use aluminum screen and I hotglue it in place. Unless you are using something with extreme humidity, you don't need to spend a lot of money on aquarium-grade silicon. I put screen on both sides of the tub. I have heard of roachers that used it only on the outside wall having some escapees.

X2

Do it on both sides for sure. Just use a HOT glue gun (none of that "cool glue" crap, it dries before you can breathe), and put the screen on, then SQUEEZE it to the tub. it will smoosh all into the screen and be a nice bond. DO this to both sides, and I actually put a large bead of hot glue around the inside lip after the first side of screen is up. No escapees, want to keep it that way.

 

[Galapoheros]

I have two Rubbermaid tubs of dubias. I think they are 10 gal tubs. I simply leave the tops off since they can't climb the smooth sides. I may post a pic later.

 

[Mister Internet]

I have two Rubbermaid tubs of dubias. I think they are 10 gal tubs. I simply leave the tops off since they can't climb the smooth sides. I may post a pic later.

I can't bring myself to leave the lids off as there is anecdotal evidence (posted by Martin Huber in the past, I'd have to search) that mature male B. dubia can actually fly vertically if sufficiently out-crossed with more vital wild strains... not a good chance to take, in my mind.

 

[Galapoheros]

OK I see. The ones I have are very wimpy, once a male tries to fly, it's only down from a higher elevation, no way the ones I have are strong enough to pose a threat with their wimpy flapping. I've seen them try though. They can only hit about 2 inches above what they take off from and that's mostly from the hop they take.

 

[eelnoob]

I use aluminum screen and I hotglue it in place. Unless you are using something with extreme humidity, you don't need to spend a lot of money on aquarium-grade silicon. I put screen on both sides of the tub. I have heard of roachers that used it only on the outside wall having some escapees.

3x


Here's a picture of how mines look like. You can cut out the sides instead if you want to stack them to save floor space.

 

[mcy]

OK I see. The ones I have are very wimpy, once a male tries to fly, it's only down from a higher elevation, no way the ones I have are strong enough to pose a threat with their wimpy flapping. I've seen them try though. They can only hit about 2 inches above what they take off from and that's mostly from the hop they take.

i guess i have turbo dubia's my males make a loud thump when they try to fly out of their tub and its a good 7 inches of space from their motel to the top of the tub. Also i've had one fly clear across the room when i had it open.

 

[scottyk]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and pics. I'm going to get building!

Scott