If your temps are at above 28 deg. C for most of the time, no heat pad is needed

ay then i have lazy roaches,o yes do you put the jelly stuff in for water?

I for one am a bit scared of the gel stuff, as I'm not sure what they put in for preservatives and at what concentration...

I just put in a shallow little bowl with water and some cotton wool or tissue paper to prevent drowning. This I clean and replace with fresh water and cotton every few days.

i get the crystle water for 5rand i use it with my crickets and my roaches for about 2 months now it works great