The keeping of cockroaches is fairly straightforward and requires minimal time and maintenance, especially when compared to other small pets of similar size. The initial investment is the only part where any significant cost may be involved and even here one is looking at well under fifty dollars. A regular fish type aquarium with a screen lid is more than adequate and allows one to put a hardware type lamp on top to provide warmth. If the species kept is capable of climbing glass a two inch thin band of vaseline smeared around the top effectively prevents excapes.
For substrate you can use anything from peat moss to potting soil or something as simple as paper towels. Most cockroaches kept in the hobby are tropical in origin and need to be kept warm and ,ideally, humid. I actually do not mist my cages anymore due to hard water spotting but breeding seems to not have been overly affected. Misting provides water for drinking and helps keep the humidity up throughout the day. Saturation of the substrate should be avoided as it will inevitably cause problems with mites and bacterial growth. Pieces of wood and the addition of egg cartons or papertowel rolls provide necessary hiding places and a plant or two will definitely help create a more natural looking habitat for your cockroaches.