You will need to drill or cut holes for ventilation, and then cover the holes with fine fabric to keep out fungus gnats: Some isopods require more ventilation than others. I like to add springtails to all my isopod cultures to prevent any foods from molding and create a more diverse bioactive environment. It’s typically used as soil supplement to increase the pH for plants, but it’ll work a treat here. 33. currently isoposting . Some cultures will include moist sphagnum moss for ease of shipping. Calcium. We use our calcium bones for all of our isopod cultures and bioactive setups and we loving mixing it in with our substrate, it's a Not only will this benefit your bioactive setups, it will also be broken down into viable nutrients for your bioactive substrate that benefits your plants and invertebrates alike. The same conditions will also affect the number of offspring produced at one time as well as the size of the female. Enter your email address to subscribe to the Podcast and receive notifications of new posts by email. This species is a fast moving, fast reproducing isopod. Breeding isopods is quite simple, as long as you have several males and females, and you are caring for them appropriately. I have personally used oak, maple, pecan, callary pear, cottonwood, and a type locust leaves. Calcium citrate is also useful for people with achlorhydria, inflammatory bowel disease, or absorption disorders . A preparation is also possible but usually much more expensive. They are also high in calcium and other nutrients making them excellent feeder bugs for insectivorous reptiles. They seem to reproduce with cuttlebone calcium, but species colonies begin to come alive and thriving with Limestone as their primary calcium source. 282 Posts . I currently make my own isopod substrate. Calcium availability is assumed to limit survival of terrestrial isopods in this nutrient-poor environment. Calcium citrate malate is a well-absorbed form of calcium found in some fortified juices . Vote. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This replacement gel is for detrivores. Xylivore Gel Premix Morning Wood. Add a piece of cuttlebone for calcium. Cricket Insect Frass Calcium Sources: Again, variety is the spice of life for these unique cave-dwelling isopods. It's the perfect combination of all natural soils, hardwoods, leaf litters and moss fortified by calcium. The isopods live 3 to 4 years with offspring being produced in the second, third and fourth year, depending on a varity of environmental and nutritional conditions. These are the basics of terrestrials isopod care. Of the isopods most commonly kept, those that require the most ventilation tend to be those of the Armadillidium genus, such as the common roly poly, and the large Porcellio species from Spain, such as Porcellio hoffmannseggi. Before you use the leaves, you should sanitize them. You can also offer other foods higher in protein. A small amount of calcium. Put dry leaves into your oven at your own risk. Our Calcium Fortified, Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Isopods, Springtails, and other detritus feeding insects. Calcium Sources: We have found that the juvenile and mankay Dairy Cow Isopods are continually feeding on cuttlebone calcium sources to improve their overall health, reproduction, and growth rate. Younger specimens are only slightly larger than common Springtails (Collembola), making them more difficult to spot than their larger cousins. I bought some sphagnum moss from another website but it was full of sticks and dirt and was obviously not cleaned through but when I received this one it was as clean and pretty as, We now offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders $49+, the photo. Our 100% Natural calcium bones are great for providing to your isopods and pet reptiles/birds alike. I also use the calcium sand sold for reptile substrate as a calcium supplement by mixing it into the substrate. You have already reviewed this product. Most terrestrial have very similar care requirements, differing mainly in humidity and ventilation requirements, and in the size of enclosure required. (If you are ready to buy isopods, check out my Price List. Previous studies, though scarce, have shown that isopods are absent from peat bogs in the north Holarctic. Isopods are detritivors, or at least some of them are. The substrate should be moist to the touch, but never soaked, if you can squeeze it and drops of water come out, it is probably too moist. To see examples of the various types of ventilation I use for my isopods, please reference this video: https://youtu.be/-FmHLIFHGDk. Isopods will consume the entire minnow including the bones which is also a great source of necessary calcium for them. Now that you have a properly ventilated enclosure and substrate for your isopods, let’s talk about cover. By Allen Repashy Our Calcium Fortified, Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Isopods, Springtails, and other detritus feeding insects. For more information, check out some of my videos on isopod care: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. These excellent diagrams can help you understand how to distinguish the two. That is what I typically use. 90% sounds quite high to me. Isopods offer a natural calcium boost to their predators. Collecting your own leaves is cheaper if you have access to them, but you can also buy pre-sanitized oak leaves online: A small amount of calcium. Posted by just now. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Isopods enjoy calcium wether it be in the form of egg shells, cuttlebone, or calcium supplements mixed into their substrate or sprinkled on food. Calcium. Overall, this is a must-have when culturing isopods or using them as a bioactive cleanup crew and we highly recommend it to all of our customers. The main disadvantage is that they do not have an airtight seal, which can allow airborne pests such as fungus gnats to enter your isopod enclosure. Now I rely on supplementing with "crab cuisine" -- made for crustaceans so it's supposed to have extra calcium. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein min. Discussion Starter • #1 • Apr 25, 2017. For example, the dwarf whites have a lesser need for calcium as their exoskeleton is not as calcified as other isopods. Morning Wood allows for a high quality diet to be offered for your cultures to thrive. If this is not offered in such a way, it goes also times fast to the living Artgenossen. Many substrates are quickly depleted of calcium by a clean up crew, such as isopods or springtails. Cuttlefish or Limestone is essential for calcium. Especially the great amount of calcium of their exoskeleton makes isopods an ideal food for those animals. MADE IN USA Not for Human Consumption Ispods have become very popular in recent years as clean up crews (microfauna) for BioActive terrariums and vivariums. You can add just a teaspoon or two per gallon. This page is dedicated to the appreciation of nature's greatest creature: the isopod. I find that Porcellionides pruinosus also likes a lot of ventilation, For these species, I usually cut vents in the lid of the enclosure, and then cover them with very fine fabric, such as chiffon. Ever since using the cuban isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus) as feeding animals, the kinds that are reproducing very quickly are often used as food for reptiles and amphibians. Detritivore Gel Premix Our Calcium Fortified, Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Isopods, Springtails, and other detritus feeding insects. In other words, I earn a small commission  when you use that affiliate link, at no cost to you. Otherwise read on!). Sphagnum is not an absolute needed component for a healthy tub, but it is a good resource for new keepers concerned about their tubs drying out. We use our calcium bones for all of our isopod cultures and bioactive setups and we loving mixing it in with our substrate, it's a healthy and natural way of incorporating calcium carbonate for whatever your needs may be. 8%, Moisture max. They are medium sized and babies are consumed by smaller amphibians. Our Calcium Fortified, Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Isopods, Springtails, and other detritus feeding insects. The advantages of the containers above are that they are stackable, can easily be cut or drilled to add custom ventilation for your isopods, and are translucent for easy viewing. With more products on the way, be sure to use Isopod Specialist whenever you're in need of culturing/bioactive supplies. Some people boil them, others bake them at 200 F for 30 minutes or more. These excellent diagrams can help you understand how to distinguish the two. One very popular container used as an enclosure for isopods can be purchased here: I recommend looking for them at your local dollar store or supermarket, where they can usually be purchased very inexpensively. help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. Vivariums In The Mist Isopod Diets we feed to our Isopods and sell on our website. 5%, Crude Fiber max. It is important that the calcium content is high, as isopods have to cover their calcium requirements. isopod enthusiasts. An alternative isopod housing option that is much less vulnerable to fungus gnats, and is especially suited to starting with a smaller number of isopods, are deli cups with vented lids, such as those sold for use with fruit flies: Another type of container for your isopods that can accommodate larger cultures than the deli cups, but which has a tight-fitting lid to keep our fungus gnats, are containers like the following. Isopod Nutrition Iso Grub Freeze Dried Freshwater Minnows Iso Grub is the perfect addition to a balanced & varied diet for Isopods and other exotic pets. https://dartknightexotics.com/f/our-top-five-calcium-sources-for-isopods They expand upon contact with water: The advantages of using coconut fiber as an isopod substrate that it is inexpensive, easy to use, and because it is sold in dry, compressed bricks, it tends to be free of hitchhiking pests. Finally, add your isopods and some food. However, your isopods will populate your enclosure more quickly if you provide some additional food. This can be done through keeping a varied diet, but also through the use of a cuttlebone which you can find in the bird section of any pet retailer. Product Description: Josh's Frogs MicroCal Calcium Substrate Supplement (0.75 oz) is an innovative substrate supplement for bioactive enclosures, and is the first of it's kind. I base my recipe on Mickie’s recipe, found here on a thread of Arachnoboards.com. It is calcium fortified, extremely firm, and long lasting. Isopods are amazing terrarium janitors. INGREDIENTS: Cellulose Powder, Dried Seaweed Meal, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Spirulina Algae, Rice Protein Concentrate, Pea Protein Isolate, Stabilized Rice Bran, Dried Brewer’s Yeast, Dried Kelp, Stinging Nettle, Locust Bean Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, … Isopod prices are reflected by counts. It is a good idea to start out with 10-12 isopods, though you can certainly start with fewer if needed. Isopods will consume the entire minnow including the bones which is also a great source of necessary calcium for them. Close. After a few weeks or months, depending on your population of isopods and size of container, you may need to add more leaf litter and/or more substrate. The disadvantages are that is not very nutritious for isopods, so it will need other ingredients added, and that it can quite easily become acidic if it gets too wet, which can kill your isopods. We have found that a 15ltr cake storage tub is perfect for the woodlice, we have added a ventilation disc with a fine mesh backing and have most of the lids open a couple of inches in the daytime & just slide them over again at night. Isopods reach breeding maturity at approximately 1/3 of their adult size. 3%, Crude Fat max. My isopods devoir these fish food pellets once or twice a week: They also chow down on Repashy Bug Burger once a week: Isopods need relatively little maintenance, but there are some maintenance tasks you should perform at least a couple of times a week, in addition to feeding, generally speaking. I have seen some people use cuttlebone for millipedes and isopods, but the important constituent, calcium carbonate, is … I used coconut fiber for years successfully with my isopods, but I have since switched to other substrates that I prefer. Created Jan 28, 2018. It was also found that they are not as fond of the limestone calcium sources as their Rubber Ducky Isopod counterparts. Isopods require some humidity, but they also need ventilation. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. There are 4 basic ingredients: One part organic compost, which I recommend you find at a local garden or hardware store, as it will be much cheaper: One part oak or alder wood pellets, sold for use with barbecue grills (I get mine at the local feed store): One part non-toxic hardwood leaves, which have fallen from the tree naturally. small pieces of organic squash, zucchini (courgettes), sweet potatoes, corn, and carrots, for example. Isopods can and do play many key functions in a terrarium ecosystem. Flat sheets of fallen oak or maple bark can work well, and the isopods will slowly munch at them. ... Limestone is added to many due to calcium it offers. They are also high in calcium. As a results they make excellent 'clean up crews' in a natural bio-active set up! Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. First, check the substrate. If it is quite damp, do not add additional water, but if it is starting to dry out, add a little water to one side of the enclosure. Isopods/pillbugs/roly polies are easy to keep and breed, but unless you are putting them directly into a bioactive vivarium as a cleanup crew, you will need to know how to care for your isopods. The proper isopod substrate is extremely important, as it is their main source of food, water, and shelter. Small pieces of fruits and vegetables are good supplements. For all the Supplies you'll ever need, Isopod Specialist has got you covered. Finally, with their shy nature, rubber ducky isopods seem to like a deeper substrate layer that they can burrow into. It is perfectly possible to raise healthy isopods in an enclosure containing nothIng more in the enclosure than I have already mentioned, but some flat pieces of bark will give the isopods a place to congregate, which makes it easier for you to observe and/or collect your isopods. Eggs came in a plastic container if that means anything. 12%. One inexpensive option is to start with a base of coconut fiber (also called coir) bricks that are purchased compressed. These Isopods are just under 1/4in long as adults, and are the smallest varieties we offer. If you want a shelter that your isopods won’t eat, you can use cork bark. That being, do the eggs need to be organic? Here is all you need to get started: The first step is selecting an enclosure for your isopods. Can be fed to isopods, springtails, and other insects that feed on detritus. I have mixed calcium powder into substrate for millipedes and isopods before and some were at least not harmed by it but I do believe I had a more sensitive species die from conditions being too alkaline. Thankfully for us, calcium carbonate is actually a common gardening supplement that often goes by the name of “Garden Lime”. Morning Wood. We have blended the most effective and complete isopod substrate on the market! If you would like to edit your existing review then please contact us directly. Once you have a properly ventilated isopod enclosure, you will need substrate. Some people find that springtails help keep mites, like wood mites, at bay. Our Calcium Bones are 100% NATURAL unlike most of our competitors who will save 50% on costs by going with the dirty and unhealthy cuttlebones which happen to also be unsustainably sourced. Does it have to be cuttlebone or is a calcium supplement enough? 7.5k. Some isopods may start at higher quantities or lower quantities than a standard “10,” therefore the price seen on the following images may be higher or lower than expected. You can use cuttlebone, sold for use with pet birds, or crushed baked chicken eggshells, or oystershell flour: Soak the wood pellets in water, until they become crumbly, moist sawdust, and then mix the soaked pellets together with the leaves, compost, and calcium source. 8%, Ash max. Many turtles and tortoises will readily eat these as well as some larger lizards. Hello, I have ordered termites and noted Charles uses powdered reef calcium. Our Calcium Bones are 100% NATURAL unlike most of our competitors who will save 50% on costs by going with the dirty and unhealthy cuttlebones which happen to also be unsustainably sourced. Iso Grub are freshwater minnows wild caught from the clean waters of the mid-west. 20%, Crude Fat min. Substrate containing calcium is also import The unintended use of the gel premix was that Isopods would also benefit from the diet. Because our cuttlebone is all-natural, sustainably sourced, and strictly made of 90% calcium carbonate with 10% being organic matter, they are very easily broken into smaller pieces and can be mixed into your Isopod Specialist substrate directly. The time required to complete a total life cycle is also not the same in all of the isopods. Leave the other side dry so the isopods can find the level of moisture they require. I honestly just love touching this stuff and feeling it when its moist but it was a great addition, along with the isopods, to my Crested Gecko\'s bioactive setup and I\'d recommend it if you need biodegradeables, especially cuz its easier to use than the leaves when mixing it with the substrate. And as long as they’re not eaten, they clean up the ground. So if your cultures lack a ready source of calcium it is probable the dwarf whites will out produce the other isopods. 1lb of premium Iso-Strate Premium Isopod Substrate. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. You can use cuttlebone, sold for use with pet birds, or crushed baked chicken eggshells, or oystershell flour: Soak the wood pellets in water, until they become crumbly, moist sawdust, and then mix the soaked pellets together with the leaves, compost, and calcium source. You can add just a teaspoon or two per gallon. Soil acidity and reduced calcium availability strongly affect soil invertebrates, which require calcium to build exoskeletons. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). They do well in almost any set-up, such as 50% moist and 50% dry, moderate-high humidity, and low-moderate ventilation. Hmm... you don't seem to have purchased this product yet to be able to leave a review. Join. Finally, a good source of calcium seems to be a key as well. Every 4-6 months, you can replace between 50 and 100% of the substrate with fresh substrate, being careful not to throw out any isopods with the used substrate, which makes great garden compost. In some species (such as the giant Spanish Porcellio hoffmanseggi) it is possible to distinguish male from female by the greater size of the male and the length of the uropods, two tail-like appendages. When the tiny juveniles, known as mancae (singular manca) are ready, they emerge from the pouch, tiny, pale replicas of their parents. DIRECTIONS: To prepare one cup of product, add ¼ cup of powder into ¾ cup of cold water and stir until blended. Feeding your isopods is fairly simple, as they will eat the substrate. Other calcium forms in supplements or fortified foods include gluconate, lactate, and phosphate. Egg Shells For Isopods I read that egg shells are a good source of calcium for isopods. The females retain the eggs in a pouch, known as a marsupium. These Isopods are our top-choice for use as a cleanup crew within a live vivarium housing most inhabitant species. In most species, though, there are structures on the underside of the isopod, modified pleopods, are the most reliable way to discern males. Popular fruits to offer your isopods include apple, banana, mango, orange, and pear. They do great in vivariums, bioactive, and amphibian enclosures. Isopods will eat sphagnum, but it is a very dense material and takes a long time. We are now back in stock with our extremely popular springtail food in addition to calcium bones and sphagnum.