My "build"

[DigitalPunk]

Here is how I did it.

Springtails float in water. I filled there cup of mixed media full of water and then slowly poured it over my charcoal.

Once you have enough in the charcoal ( the more the better to get the culture going. Will take it 30 days to start producing). Then just dump the container into the tank and spread it around some the excess water will drain into you drainage layer.

[DigitalPunk]

What color are the bugs ?

[DigitalPunk]

Ew on the bugs. Try to kill any of those you see. If there are a lot of them I would not add this culture to your terrarium. Get the spring breeding culture going and kill all winged insects you see.

Spring tails are little white bugs. About 1/8 long. They are so light they float in water. Filling it with water will bring them all to the surface. You will see them then. The will not drown so don't panic and rush

Then slowly pour the water onto your charcoal but try not to get the ABG in the culture. Come ABG won't hurt and the spring will eat it as it breaks down.

Then pour the remaining water and ABG mix into your tank. I would then add water back to the shipping cup and look to see if more springtails are floating if so pour that into your culture and then add more water to the culture so it has about an inch of water in the bottom.

Rinsing the charcoal is optional.

[awelcome]

so I can open it outside and let those escape? Good.... I don't want to deal with such fast moving, jumping around bugs lol. Sucks that they might be an issue though.... I do want to go ahead and get these in and give it a try.... but will see what they say tomorrow when they reply too and see if I need to dump the whole thing..... hopefully not because I don't want to have to buy the kit again too! Getting it set up now... will update how it goes... thanks again for the help and being so prompt!

[DigitalPunk]

With it being infested they should send you out a replacement culture for free.

I'm hoping you have tons alive in this one and get a free one

[DigitalPunk]

You need horticultural charcoal. Garden centers will have it. Don't use BBQ grill charcoal.

[deranged chipmunk]

Hey, I should be getting a springtail culture with attached food (yeast) from NEherp in the next couple of days. Would I have to order their charcoal, or would regular store charcoal for barbecues work if it is rinsed?

You can use activated carbon the stuff you would use for aquarium filters.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

Re fruit flu cultures: over time, you'll be able to gauge when your cultures are about to burn out. The media in the bottom gets more and more brown. I make new cultures when's start feeding from new ones. That gives me about 2-3 weeks for the new cultures to take off. Some people make them weekly, or biweekly. But they have many frogs to feed. 4 cultures is a decent amount to have. 2 active feeding ones to alternate with while the others are starting out.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

I agree with bill. I would setup 2 cultures tonight and continue to feed from the 2 you have until they are gone. When you start feeding from the 2 you make start up 2 more.

The 30 day thing is a guide line more than it is a rule. Re cultures can last for longer.

[deranged chipmunk]

You can. But if you have a sam's club or costco or something like that around you, you can get deli cups (the plastic ones from ne herp) cheap. I pay $5 for 50 and $4 for 50 lids from a local restaurant supply store.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

so then how do you vent your own lids?

[deranged chipmunk]

The 30 day thing is a guide line more than it is a rule. Re cultures can last for longer.

Yeah they can


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

Regarding springtails - your tank will be fine for 30 days while you let the culture boom. Then add some to the tank. You won't need more than the one culture with just one frog. There isn't a magic point where you HAVE to make a 2nd culture. Just keep feeding the springs as they consume the yeast ( the amount of yeast I use varies depending on how fast they eat it).

[jarteta97]

If I wanted, could I simply add the springtail culture I ordered to the three bags of ABG mix I ordered in a large tub, and simply feed them with brewer's yeast on top of that soil? I don't plan on breeding, and that would be the ABG mix that I would add to my tank once it's completed.

[deranged chipmunk]

so then how do you vent your own lids?

Cut a hole, hot glue a coffee filter to it. When you make a new culture, just take the coffee filter off and replace with a new one.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

even my hair smells smokey after working over that charcoal for so long lol.

[awelcome]

here is a shot of one of the bugs on top... I trapped it in the lid so I could get a shot of it. It's not a great shot unfortunately since I had to use my phone and crop super close.

[deranged chipmunk]

If I wanted, could I simply add the springtail culture I ordered to the three bags of ABG mix I ordered in a large tub, and simply feed them with brewer's yeast on top of that soil? I don't plan on breeding, and that would be the ABG mix that I would add to my tank once it's completed.

If you aren't keeping dart frogs, or have tadpoles on the way, just dump the container in your Viv with the ABG and away they will go. They will feed if decaying plant matter in the ABG and from frog waste.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

I don't have a restaurant supply store to use. I am in the process of converting glass jars into reusable fruit fly cups. If it works I'll let everyone know.

[DigitalPunk]

That is an odd bug to randomly be in a spring culture. I'd send that to them in an email tonight.