My crixs... setup and other stuff :)

[Dark Raptor]

Ok. Here is the pic of my crickets setup. I keep them this way for more than 5 years... and never had any problem. I'm also using 15W heating cable which is located under the tanks. They've got temperatures between 30 - 40 C.

I don't use any substrate. This stuff attached in upper right is used to add water to "egg-box" without removing cover.

I've kept 5 crixs species, but now only two...
First, rare specie - banana cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus). Males have short wings.

Females are wingless.

This is the first "supersonic" cricket ever...

New offspring:

And here is Acheta domesticus. This metal net prevent females from eating their eggs. And they don't throw substrate everywhere.
As you see, new eggs are coming...

...and effect

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

 

[PINK1081]

Looks Good. I like the screen over the dirt idea. I am going to the that!
Jim

 

[Ozzfreak]

Did you build this tank? If so, what are the sizes of glass that you used? I am going to start raising crickets also, and I am using a 50 gallon tank. Do you not use a lid? I am, but I'm new, and don't know any better. Isn't 40C to hot for the crickets? I am also trying to figure out how to heat my crickets. I posted that I have heard of thermostats that control lights, but I can't find them anywhere. My crickets will be out in the garage, so I'm not sure if the 15w cable would be strong enough in the winter. I also like your idea about the screen over the dirt. I will defiintely give that a go. One more question. You mentioned the "stuff is to add water to the egg container" How does that work? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Oz

 

[Bloodletting]

I find it is a lot easier to place a bunch of females in a container, covering the entire bottom with substrate. approx. 3-4 inches. In a month, I get 100's of pins. I usually have a bunch hatching every other week.

Scott

 

[Dark Raptor]

Did you build this tank? If so, what are the sizes of glass that you used?

I used old aquarium. It has 35x25x25 cm (lenght x width x heigth).

Do you not use a lid?

I'm using that piece of glass (in the right part of the pic) as a lid.

Isn't 40C to hot for the crickets?

They've got this temperature only below these egg crates. Generally temperature reach 30 - 35 C. It's really dry there, but I've never noticed mites, mold ect.

You mentioned the "stuff is to add water to the egg container" How does that work?

I used old syringe. I'm lazy, so with that "stuff" I can pour water into egg container without opening the lid.

 

[Murziukas]

Tank I use is 20x20x20 (when I was designing it I was thinking about 1 scorpion per tank). Won't it be too small?

 

[Anthony]

A very nice setup, thanks for sharing.

 

[Juliancito]

..i Agree...

Sweet !!! dude, those pictures are awesome.. ...very nice work congrats.
BTW...what kind of ventilation are you using in that set up ???

 

[Dark Raptor]

Tank I use is 20x20x20 (when I was designing it I was thinking about 1 scorpion per tank). Won't it be too small?

For small colony it would be ok. I've noticed lower cannibalism in this specie than in Gryllus bimaculatus. Give them more egg crates and proteins in food

BTW...what kind of ventilation are you using in that set up ???

Thanks. When I put piece of glass on the tank I always leave small gap (2 - 3 cm). G. sigillatus is really 'clean' so if there is dry environment, they don't need good ventilation.

 

[Stylopidae]

If I started a cricket colony, could I use dermestid beetles to cut down on the smell?

 

[Dark Raptor]

If I started a cricket colony, could I use dermestid beetles to cut down on the smell?

Hmmm... you want to keep them together? I think It's a bad idea. Crixs will eat everything. I've seen them killing large carabid beetle.

 

[Stylopidae]

Hmmm... you want to keep them together? I think It's a bad idea. Crixs will eat everything. I've seen them killing large carabid beetle.

I've been thinking of starting a small colony so I could practice maintaining it but the smell is the only reason I haven't. I was thinking the dermestids would cut down on the crick corpses and thus cut down on the smell.

Doesn't sound like it's a good idea, though.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Dry conditions, good ventilation are enough to cut down the smell.
There is only one exception - Gryllus bimaculatus. In that specie also excrements stink.