I know i already made a page on this by why not make it in the blog as well for a refrence as i may be changing my method of keeping isopods in the future.
For the purpose of this little guide i'll be using my flowthrough isopod bin as an example.The setup for anyother isopod bin is basicly the same.Hopefully this provides newbies with a nice guide to go by when starting up their first isopod culture.Remember that you don't have to use the bin type i am using.Please remember that the enclosure may change for diffrent types of isopods.For the purpose of this guide i'll be only talking about starting an isopod bin with Porcellio Scaber.This is my recomendation of a starter isopod.Harder and of course native to most areas.
Before we begin time for a little background information on Porcellio Scaber:
Porcellio Scaber is a type of sowbug that is most commonly found in gardens.These sowbugs are very varible in colors.I've seen grey isopods to basicly orange and brown like fall leaves.These are by far in my opinion the best starter isopod there is.Easy to find and one of the most and best survivors in the isopod world only two things seem to kill them:Drought and being waterlogged.Now that you have a better understanding for these guys here is the real guide:
The Perfect Enclosure or isobin-
The key to the perfect isobin is allowing humidity but not drowning them.If you've read my flowthrough bin post you'll know how to make one.The next thing you'll need is a hide.A piece of egg flat works great[smaller for the small isobins]Then add 1cm of dirt.Place hides over dirt.
Food For isopods-
Feeding isopods is easy basicly i use ready brek or weetes.Then add a little slice of carrot once a week.Add the ready brek to the substrate.Don't worry about mold.I also use dog food.Just remember if mold takes over get rid of it!Get all the isopods you can and remake a new culture if its really bad.
General Maintence-
Add or mist water onto the culture once every 3-4 days.Just add it to one side[the side with less food] and switch sides each time.Other maintence includes feeding.I only feed them when they are done all of the other food.Or else they ditch the food and mold takes over.Only clean cultures out once every 3-7 months,i perfer to clean mine out once every three months but in the summer i'm lazy.I only clean them in the fall.I found that i have more time and its just so much fun cleaning out an isopod bin when its raining out.
Conclusion-
Hope this helps out some of the people on here on how i setup and breed isopods.
For the purpose of this little guide i'll be using my flowthrough isopod bin as an example.The setup for anyother isopod bin is basicly the same.Hopefully this provides newbies with a nice guide to go by when starting up their first isopod culture.Remember that you don't have to use the bin type i am using.Please remember that the enclosure may change for diffrent types of isopods.For the purpose of this guide i'll be only talking about starting an isopod bin with Porcellio Scaber.This is my recomendation of a starter isopod.Harder and of course native to most areas.
Before we begin time for a little background information on Porcellio Scaber:
Porcellio Scaber is a type of sowbug that is most commonly found in gardens.These sowbugs are very varible in colors.I've seen grey isopods to basicly orange and brown like fall leaves.These are by far in my opinion the best starter isopod there is.Easy to find and one of the most and best survivors in the isopod world only two things seem to kill them:Drought and being waterlogged.Now that you have a better understanding for these guys here is the real guide:
The Perfect Enclosure or isobin-
The key to the perfect isobin is allowing humidity but not drowning them.If you've read my flowthrough bin post you'll know how to make one.The next thing you'll need is a hide.A piece of egg flat works great[smaller for the small isobins]Then add 1cm of dirt.Place hides over dirt.
Food For isopods-
Feeding isopods is easy basicly i use ready brek or weetes.Then add a little slice of carrot once a week.Add the ready brek to the substrate.Don't worry about mold.I also use dog food.Just remember if mold takes over get rid of it!Get all the isopods you can and remake a new culture if its really bad.
General Maintence-
Add or mist water onto the culture once every 3-4 days.Just add it to one side[the side with less food] and switch sides each time.Other maintence includes feeding.I only feed them when they are done all of the other food.Or else they ditch the food and mold takes over.Only clean cultures out once every 3-7 months,i perfer to clean mine out once every three months but in the summer i'm lazy.I only clean them in the fall.I found that i have more time and its just so much fun cleaning out an isopod bin when its raining out.
Conclusion-
Hope this helps out some of the people on here on how i setup and breed isopods.
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