Springtails for new terrarium

[itzjezze]

I just got done setting up my first natural terrarium. I have Hydroballs covered by mesh covered with cocofiber. I have a few plants and a driftwood stick, waterfall and such. I was going to get a RETF however I decided to get a pair of darts since the terrarium is only 12x12x18.

I havent had springtails before however I am concerned since it is a bug and I have roommates. Will springtails escape the terrarium and make home in our carpeting/bedding/furniture? and also I have read that soil is needed for springtails, will just having cocofiber be ok?

[1beataway]

I have never had springtails but I've considered it. From what I've gathered from other members, they'll only be interested in your soil and are very unlikely to escape.

I would assume the coco fiber would be fine.

[itzjezze]

Thanks

Another question:
For feeding darts, is it just as easy as setting up a culture of springtails before introducing the frogs? Do I need to monitor the culture or do they reproduce as fast as the frogs eat them? lol

[Leefrogs]

Springs are more of a snack, u still need fruit flies and/or pin heads. They're more for cleaning purposes, as they eat your frogs waste.

[clownonfire]

I just got done setting up my first natural terrarium. I have Hydroballs covered by mesh covered with cocofiber. I have a few plants and a driftwood stick, waterfall and such. I was going to get a Red-Eyed Leaf Frog however I decided to get a pair of darts since the terrarium is only 12x12x18.

I havent had springtails before however I am concerned since it is a bug and I have roommates. Will springtails escape the terrarium and make home in our carpeting/bedding/furniture? and also I have read that soil is needed for springtails, will just having cocofiber be ok?

Hi! If you are going to go with darts, you should seed your terrarium in advance (at least two weeks before you introduce the darts) with springtails. Basically, get a culture and spread it on the substrate of your terrarium. It will give them enough time to dig down and reproduce. This microfauna will be a great source of food for your darts.

Now the springtails wont escape, they are tiny and prefer dark and wet places... As for fruit flies, which should be the other food source (or pinhead crickets - which are more expensive and will hide in the substrate). Fruit flies should be feed every other day, and they should be dusted first. Your frogs will eat on the springtails when there are no FF. And springtails will also clean your viv...

Depending on what dart frogs you will be getting, you will either feed D. hydei (bigger fruitflies) or D. melanogaster (smaller). Make sure you get either flightless or wingless. Now even if they will not fly, some will escape, so be ready to live with a few loose bugs!

12*12*18 is on the smaller side for darts... Do you know which ones you are thinking of getting? For a small frog, they need lots of space. In the dimensions you are giving, I would only suggest something like a pair of thumbnails, as they are arboreal. You would need to create more of a vertical landscape for them.

Don't hesitate if you have more questions...

Eric

[itzjezze]

Hi! If you are going to go with darts, you should seed your terrarium in advance (at least two weeks before you introduce the darts) with springtails. Basically, get a culture and spread it on the substrate of your terrarium. It will give them enough time to dig down and reproduce. This microfauna will be a great source of food for your darts.

Now the springtails wont escape, they are tiny and prefer dark and wet places... As for fruit flies, which should be the other food source (or pinhead crickets - which are more expensive and will hide in the substrate). Fruit flies should be feed every other day, and they should be dusted first. Your frogs will eat on the springtails when there are no FF. And springtails will also clean your viv...

Depending on what dart frogs you will be getting, you will either feed D. hydei (bigger fruitflies) or D. melanogaster (smaller). Make sure you get either flightless or wingless. Now even if they will not fly, some will escape, so be ready to live with a few loose bugs!

12*12*18 is on the smaller side for darts... Do you know which ones you are thinking of getting? For a small frog, they need lots of space. In the dimensions you are giving, I would only suggest something like a pair of thumbnails, as they are arboreal. You would need to create more of a vertical landscape for them.

Don't hesitate if you have more questions...

Eric

I was thinking about having a pair of Dendrobates Auratus. Will the be comfertable in that size of a tank?
If not will Imitators be ok? If I get a thumbnail I would prefer the Imitators.

[DonLisk]

So can you seed a viv after it as been established? Wondered this for some time now.

[clownonfire]

So can you seed a viv after it as been established? Wondered this for some time now.

It is possible to see a viv with springtails even after it's housed by frogs. Actually, even once a viv is seeded it will needed to be reseeded occasionally. However, it is much easier to seed when inhabited.

As for D.auratus, in my opinion, it's too small. And yes, Imitators are great thumbnails. Bold, very bold actually, and perfectly suited for beginners. And they will do well in a viv of that size.

[itzjezze]

It is possible to see a viv with springtails even after it's housed by frogs. Actually, even once a viv is seeded it will needed to be reseeded occasionally. However, it is much easier to seed when inhabited.

As for D.auratus, in my opinion, it's too small. And yes, Imitators are great thumbnails. Bold, very bold actually, and perfectly suite for beginners. And they will do well in a viv of that size.

Great now only if I could find some lol

So whats the limit of thumbnails in that small of a tank?