Springtail culture tips

[Fbt123]

Hi guys,

im going to get my springtail culture today, and i was wondering if you guys could give some tips on how to do the best with the culture.

Thanks

[flybyferns]

To advise you properly, we could use a little additional information.
Is the culture in soil or charcoal ?

Basally.........it's best to divide it, you want to keep your 'main' culture as well as seed the tank(s) and new culture set ups for future use.
Therefore, you want to have supplies on hand to do so.

[Fbt123]

Tyanks Lynn , Im not sure if its soil or charcoal, sorry. Ive got a few tubs etc. for dividing the culture. What should i feed them with and how would i make it? I brought some springtail food with the culture but i would like to know how to maje additional food

[ColleenT]

i have read to use bakers yeast- not very much. you don't want too much mold.

[Fbt123]

Would normal soil be a good substrate? Also ive heard using cat food or dog food is good as it produces mould which the springs eat

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[Fbt123]

Wpuld these tubs be good for springs?

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[ColleenT]

the tubs look good. some people use only activated carbon/charcoal with a 1/4 water in the bottom, and some people use ABG mix or other substrate.

[Fbt123]

Ill use soil or something cuz i dont have any charcoal

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[Fbt123]

Could i use orchid bark as a substrate as its like charcoal (as in the shape).

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[DigitalPunk]

Yes, you can really use anything as a substrate. I use Natural wood Charcoal with no additives. You can buy a giant bag of it from a big box store for around $10. Break the charcoal up with a hammer in some sort of bag. Wear a respirator when doing this. it is awful stuff. Placed the broken up pieces in the tubs (fill it 3/4 the way) and then add about an 1/2 to an inch of water. Add springs and feed them every 2 days. I use brewers yeast. it does not readily mold and the springs just love it!

Charcoal is easier to pull springs from when you need to add more to your tank. You can either pour some of the water out of the tun into your tank or grab a charcoal chunk with springs on it and tap it them into your tank.

I also will place 1 magnolia leaf in the tub and put some food on it at each feeding. This will keep the leaf covered in springs and then you can just tap the leaf in your tank and deposit 100s of springs at a time.

[Fbt123]

Thanks Paul for those tips. Unfortunately i missed my delivery of springs so ill get them tomorrow. Is this yeast ok for feeding them

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[Fbt123]

Also how fast do they reproduce and do u guys think thst they may be dead after being in a package for 3 days?

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[DigitalPunk]

I am sure that will be fine, but if it produces mold you will want to add some holes in the lids for air or you will suffocate them.

It takes roughly 30 days for the population to boom. The larger the starting culture the fast it gets to being a ridiculously large colony.

[Fbt123]

Thanks Paul. Im not too sure how many come in the culture, all i know is that its a 'standard' size, so itll hopefully come with 30+ springs

[flybyferns]

Tyanks Lynn , Im not sure if its soil or charcoal, sorry. Ive got a few tubs etc. for dividing the culture. What should i feed them with and how would i make it? I brought some springtail food with the culture but i would like to know how to maje additional food

Tom,
The springtail culture food you purchases is enough.
I keep numerous cultures (specifically for froglet food).
I feed 1/2 the springtail cultures at a time to prevent putting any of the spring food near the froglets?

Sometimes cultures look like they have 'crashed' ...but hang in there ! There typically ok.

Duplicate , if you can, the media the cultures are already on.
However, this is not completely necessary.

ie The reason I use charcoal is because it is MUCH easier to get the springs out.
A little water is added to the container ----> they float to the top.
Very important when you have to get a lot out at one time/ by the teaspoon full !

I have tried many, many suppliers for cultures !
Josh's Frogs has TERRIFIC springtail cultures on charcoal. 10$
Each can be divided into at least 4 or 5 smaller cultures. I use glad sandwich containers.
You will also find additional charcoal on their site. I have very recently started using his st food. I like it !

I also use ( and alternate st feeding with Solgar Brewers Yeast)





I keep a soil back-ups ---used if I have a new build on any kind ie a froglet grow-out so not to deplete the charcoal cultures that are an absolute necessity when raising froglets.

[ColleenT]

unfortunately, Tom is unable to get anything from Josh's Frogs as he is across the pond.

[Fbt123]

Thanks Lynn. It sucks not having joshs frogs here as theres not many good frog suppliers ib the uk

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[Fbt123]

Heres the culture theres atleadt 70+ springs in there so hopefully it should boom in a few weeks

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[Fbt123]

1 more question, the food that it came with is oars and flour or some sort of white powder mixed together. Do the springs eat this or will it grow mould on it and theyll eat that? My woodlice love this food lol. I can see them chowing on it whilst walking around, it looks quite funny when you see a baby one attempting to move a piece thats 10x the size of it lol