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I want to seed my new viv with springtails. i have them already and just put them in the tank without the lid on and it tipped over alittle. Is there a better way to get them out of there?
That's a great method if cultured on charcoal. If on charcoal you can also just take a large chunk out and tap it with a spoon or something, over your viv. If the charcoal touches the viv, don't put it back in the culture or you could contaminate it with mites.There are a couple different ways to get them out. One popular way is "flooding" them. Just fill their substrate with a bunch of water, then pour the water out and springs will flow out with the water.
The one i have is just charcoal so i think im gonna use the flooding method. Should i just pour the water into my substrate like im watering plants?I use the flooding method, but also just put handfulls of the substrate from the spring culture directly into the vivs. It all depends on what you are using as a substrate in the culture. I'm culturing on coco husk chips, sphag, oak leaves, and fine charcoal so its easy to put it straight into the viv. You could just dump the whole culture in there, but then you wouldn't be able to make any more.
yes just pour the water onto the substrate.The one i have is just charcoal so i think im gonna use the flooding method. Should i just pour the water into my substrate like im watering plants?
Thats a good idea!Here is a link to a springtail thread in which part of it talks about how to feed out. I use scotch-brite pads from Smart and Final. Cut them to smaller pieces - place cucumber and such on top - after a few days take out pad and shake off springs - place pad back in spring container with food on top.
I got the idea from from a fellow frogger at Northwest Frogfest a few years ago and have had great results since.
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/plants-supplies-classifieds/68164-new-springs-hobby-3.html