I got two cultures of springtails from NEHERP and put them into the same container/culture with supplies also from NEHERP. There was question of whether the two cultures I purchased made it to me very well in the heat, so, since I didn't initially see many I didn't put any into my viv right away as I had intended. I checked it often and almost NEVER saw any springtails even when I moved the charcoal around for a long time. Then suddenly in the last week when I open it I see many. I would say it took a good 20 days or more to start booming.