finding a good lid

[sk891011]

i have a 12 gallon glass tank with a mesh screen lid, and it's pretty much fine if i'm just taking care of a few adult roaches. but since i'm planning to start a colony, there's a bit of a problem. it's not very tight fitting at all and the holes might be a bit too big. nymphs could escape and now that i'm thinking about it adults could probably push it enough to get out (though my previous roaches didn't care at all to escape). so, does anyone know what i can do? should i just switch to a plastic bin and drill some tiny enough holes in it?

(also, is 12 gallons even enough? this is for g. portentosas.)

 

[Bhjjr]

12 gallons is fine. With enough time, even huge aquariums aren't large enough to contain endlessly reproducing G. portentosa. I had a 55 gallon when I first started and it became absolutely full within a couple years, but I also started with an order of 300 or so roaches.
You might try sandwiching a layer of fabric on top of the tank rim and under the lid. If the fabric approach doesn't work, then a gasket storage bin is your next best bet. I recommend avoiding foam gaskets as foam gets chewed up. I recommend EZY brand storage bins, even though they are somewhat expensive.
Use a barrier. Personally I would not recommend petroleum jelly, although some report it works for them. I use roach crossing's roach barrier and it works very well. Others use food grade silicone grease and it is reported to work very well.

 

[sk891011]

12 gallons is fine. With enough time, even huge aquariums aren't large enough to contain endlessly reproducing G. portentosa. I had a 55 gallon when I first started and it became absolutely full within a couple years, but I also started with an order of 300 or so roaches.
You might try sandwiching a layer of fabric on top of the tank rim and under the lid. If the fabric approach doesn't work, then a gasket storage bin is your next best bet. I recommend avoiding foam gaskets as foam gets chewed up. I recommend EZY brand storage bins, even though they are somewhat expensive.
Use a barrier. Personally I would not recommend petroleum jelly, although some report it works for them. I use roach crossing's roach barrier and it works very well. Others use food grade silicone grease and it is reported to work very well.

thank you!

 

[Pounces]

I recommend avoiding foam gaskets as foam gets chewed up.

Just read this - I never thought about the foam potentially getting chewed on. I'm really glad you mentioned it, I will keep a close watch on mine now and if it shows signs get a different container before it really becomes an issue. So far, the only roaches I keep that are noted as being able to climb are my Shadows and honestly they stay mostly burrowed it seems. I might miss them at night though, so when I feed and do maintenance I'll have to watch it closely.

(this is for g. portentosas.)

How fun! I want to get some Hissers, but need to get more shelving - I'm almost maxed out on space, lol!