Question about feeder temps.

[Fiona's Mom]

I was wondering if anyone has any successful ideas about how to keep black fly larvae at 50-60°? They say to slow down their changing from larvae to fly to keep them in those temps then take out as many as you want ahead of time. I have a mini refridgerator that I bought used specifically for this but it gets colder than that. HELP!

 

[dshuld]

Does it have a drain hole port towards the back? I can think of two options, get an inkbird itc-308 first off. Option #1, plug the fridge into the cooling side and run the temp prob into the drain hole and let the controller run the fridge rather then its internal thermostat. Option #2, same as number #1 with heat cable added inside also run through the drain hole along with the temp probe. Plug the heat cable into the heating side and the fridge into the cooling side and let it control everything. Then you have a diy incubator similar to the reptipro's minus the glass door if you need one at some point too .

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Thank you...I will check my mini fridge to see if it has a drain...I already found the inkbird-itc 308 on amazon. Don't have my cham or feeders yet but planning ahead.

 

[dshuld]

No problem. I've seen some made with the heat cable, like the zoomed stuff with a cham on the package and others that used flexwatt type heat tape. Either should work fine. I think the itc-310 is an updated version of the 308 too btw but either will work fine.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

No problem. I've seen some made with the heat cable, like the zoomed stuff with a cham on the package and others that used flexwatt type heat tape. Either should work fine. I think the itc-310 is an updated version of the 308 too btw but either will work fine.

I'm a 64 yr old woman who doesn't have any experience with heat tape or cable...I might do better with the 308 or 310. Thank you.

 

[NickTide]

I am working on this myself. Put the fridge on a properly rated (voltage) timer. Start with like 10 minutes on, 20 off and see where that leaves you. Adjust accordingly. Keep in mind, that the door shelf may be 10 degrees different than near the cooling element. check different places. I understand BSFL will last months like this. This makes them very affordable feeder option.

 

[Furciferocious]

Wine coolers are designed to maintain a temp around 55 deg. You could try to find a small/used one of those.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Wine coolers are designed to maintain a temp around 55 deg. You could try to find a small/used one of those.

Thank you for the great idea! I'm not opposed to even sharing wine space with bugs. It's a twofer! Went with new and it will be here Monday. This will be so much easier and will even fit under the table my habitat is on.