dirt or sand to raise temp

[massaman]

A few days ago I got a flukers shield with a dimmer switch and a 100 watt bulb and tested it in my tank that had a floor of sand and was able to obtain a temp of 100 degrees with the bulb but now here is the dilemma and I had cleaned the tank out and redid the floor of it with dirt and could not reach 100 degrees and was wondering if the sand was the reason that the temp could get up to 100 or does not matter if soil or sand is used and the only other things in the tank for now is some woody vines and the only other thing bout the sand was there was no moisture in it and the dirt I am using I can see the moisture in it when looking at it from the front of the tank and wonder if moisture could be keeping the temp from going up!

 

[Colorcham427]

A few days ago I got a flukers shield with a dimmer switch and a 100 watt bulb and tested it in my tank that had a floor of sand and was able to obtain a temp of 100 degrees with the bulb but now here is the dilemma and I had cleaned the tank out and redid the floor of it with dirt and could not reach 100 degrees and was wondering if the sand was the reason that the temp could get up to 100 or does not matter if soil or sand is used and the only other things in the tank for now is some woody vines and the only other thing bout the sand was there was no moisture in it and the dirt I am using I can see the moisture in it when looking at it from the front of the tank and wonder if moisture could be keeping the temp from going up!

What species?

If it is something that would benefit using an all mesh/screen cage, I highly recommend livemonarch.com's net cages. Or a screen cage from LLLreptile.com

Not sure but soil or sand is a big waste of time for cleaning, and once it gets wet, it's hello bacteria "I'm a big bed for yall to party in"

 

[PhilinYuma]

So what do you think we have down here in the burning desert, Paul, dirt or sand?

Seriously, the silica in the sand will reflect back light /heat better, but if you go out in the desert around sunset, you'll find snakes, lizards and crix on the rocks or better yet, on the roadway, because they hold the heat longer.

I never uses dirt because of the surprises, like fungi or strange critters, that sometimes emerge from it. The old microwaving trick should help, though.

 

[massaman]

ok I had no problems using this for a substrate for my other mantids and have kept different species with the same set up and have had no problems based on the dirt I used and kept species in the past gambians,chinese,creobroter nebulosa and gemmatus,shields,acromantis,europeans and some stagmomantis and well I think I found a solution and I think I had too much dirt in the tank and could hardly warm up the soil being had too much of a layer!

 

[Rick]

I wouldn't use either but sand does tend to hold heat.

 

[massaman]

hmm what would be best to use in a tank other then sand or dirt?

Should I use nothing and just the woody vines or should I put paper towels on the bottom under the vines?

 

[massaman]

The tank was going to be where I am to breed just one species of mantis when they get to be adults and then switch it back to a enclosure but trying to figure out what best to use in the tank to hold in heat and the species I plan to attempt to breed would be the thistles that I am getting when they are adults but need to figure out the best way to heat the tank to 100+ degrees with a 100 watt bulb and trying to figure what substrate to use that can hold or help produce or maintain the temp that I would need!

This is the tank I am talking about!

The lid is hinged so both sides can open upwards as well!

 

[massaman]

Would using newspapers as a substrate be hazardous to a mantis?

 

[Colorcham427]

Would using newspapers as a substrate be hazardous to a mantis?

I know it might sound boring, but using nothing is a great thing. It's a lot easier for you too.

Paper towels would be my only option, IMHO.

I would also hot glue paper towel sheets on the sides, that mantis deserves to roam all around his humble home!

 

[massaman]

hate to ruin the sides of the tank with glue and paper towels but I dont want to risk melting a net cage with my 100 watt light either!The price of paper towels is kind of expensive as well and dont want to waste them on a aquarium!

 

[Rick]

Layer of paper towels in the bottom. You said you had a lamp right? Turn lamp and and let it be. Have something to monitor the temps so it doesn't get too hot. Have lamp on a timer and give them about 14 hours of light a day. Have lamp go off atnight. You want a cool down at night just like in the wild.

 

[ismart]

If your just using this set up to breed certain species, then go with sand if your looking for high temps. As mentioned before this will increase/hold your temp to where you want it. Just be sue to give them a cooling period at night.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Paul, next time u order remind me and I will send some screen u can use in there, they should have a way to hang around, I would go with the sand, it reminds them of home!

Even though they don't know it and it will keep it warmer, but don't fret so much about the temp. u can also use some old thin curtain cloth to just hang from the back and sides, it does not have to be in front. If u can't think of anything, email me and I will send something maybe u can use anyways!

 

[massaman]

well could maybe come up with some nylon screen mesh but dont know if I will have enough and I am terrible at sizing the materials esp for a 10 gallon tank!

 

[Montisa]

Sand would be better, but I usually use cloth or papertowels.