Isopods

[Asheka]

So, my isopods arrive today (picking up tomorrow) and I guess I ordered them a little earlier than I should have. I thought my tank would be up and running, but the plexiglass is proving to be difficult, though should be done tomorrow I think.
I'm wondering if they will be okay going in the tank before the UTH and UVB light is running? And what should I give them until the cabbies get here? I soaked the coco husk brick to add a little to the top of the sub on one side, and some for the bottom of the "pits" cuz they're a bit deeper than I like. Will they be good? Should I add a little dried foods for them?

[stewartx4]

I would say they will be fine without the UTH and UVB or at least mine are. I have some in my main tank with 80/80 (temp/humidity) and most in a 10 gallon ISO at room temp and low humidity. They love romaine lettuce, any vegetable or fruit (including skin and banana peels) and dried leaves. Honestly, I kind of treat the tank like a compost bin and they are breeding like crazy. Mine are orange morphs and used to the room temp but I suppose if they have been used to heat you might want to provide some even if just an incandescent bulb next to the tank?

[Asheka]

Thanks! I was thinking about setting up one of the 2.5G tanks as their "temp home" but I was looking at the care guide and it said it should be bigger, so I'll probably just put them in the main tank and hopefully the lid will be done enough to run it. Although, I docurrently have it covered with plastic wrap to keep the sand from drying out, think it would be okay to run the UTH with the plastic wrap alone?

[stewartx4]

And I'm sure this goes without saying but I'm going to anyway, the lamp/bulb shouldn't be right up against the glass (might crack it) just close to provide a bit of warmth:).

[Asheka]

Heh yes, thank you.

[stewartx4]

As long as the UTH is on the side of the tank it should not be a problem having plastic wrap on top. I did that (plastic wrap on top of screen top) in the beginning.

[stewartx4]

And I actually did crack a tank getting a bulb too close once.... Oops......

[Asheka]

Yup, it's across the back side. Awesome. I might turn it on tonight then, as I want to have things running a few days before the cabbies come home. I have a UVB light, but I have a small hole being cut in the lid just a bit bigger than the bulb (it'll be in a dome fixture) for it to not have any interference.

[stewartx4]

Sounds like your tank is going to be great!!!

[Asheka]

I have pics up in the Crabitat thread if you're interested

[stewartx4]

Definitely, I will go look!