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So I did (what I believe to be) a thorough search on here for this topic and wasn't able to find anything. In my tinc viv I'm having an issue with springtails taking over the pond area. I heavily (and I mean heavily) seeded this tank around 2-3 weeks before adding frogs. The oyapocks really cut down on the population.. but I have mass springtails in large clumps at the top of my corner pond, as if they are floating on a film of sorts. Is this due to having a still water feature? My other viv has a running water type feature and I've never had this issue. The problem is.. the oyapock occasionally go into the water... but come out covered in springs. I've tried keeping debris from the water (leaves, substrate, etc) and the frogs knock the leaves back in as quick as I pull them out. Is this a problem with the water quality.. is it normal... could it cause a problem?
~Tonya
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You most likely have a HUGE springtail population. Not really a problem that I can see. You can try to cut back on the FF's and see if the frogs will put a bigger dent in the population but actually, the boom/bust cycle will take care of it, quite naturally. May take a couple months or so, though. I wouldn't worry about fouling the water ect. You could place a small piece of wood in the water and see if they will crawl out. In any case, no biggie / problems that I see.
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Thanks, that is reassuring. I just stuck a piece of wood into the water and I'll see how that goes. I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't anything to worry about. This was my first time seeding before adding frogs.. and it's made a HUGE difference. I constantly reseed my leuc tank, and this one hasn't been reseeded at all. The frogs have been there less than a month, so still plenty of time for the boom/bust cycle you are speaking of. I read about that on another post as well.
I appreciate the help!
~Tonya
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Springtails are much more 'needed' for pumilio froglets and small thumbnails ect. For tincs and larger dart frogs, I don't go wild on seeding springs.
Not to make you worry....but.....if frogs eat a large proportion of springtails, they may not eat as much dusted FF, and then you may have a nutrient deficiency.
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I've been trying to add a small amount of weight to the oyapock pair since receiving them. They went through a bit of a stress period and got a little slimmer than I would like. They are starting to fill out now, thankfully. I'm sure that is in large part due to the springs. I've been doing daily feedings.. but now that they are getting filled out I'm skipping a day between feedings. Once I think that they've reached a healthy weight I'll probably cut back to 3x a week. I'm dusting with each feeding.. and I've watched them eat the flies.. but quite a few springs with it. If I happen to see them ignore the flies I will be sure to try to lessen the population by switching out some of the substrate until I see a decline. The frogs' health is my main priority.. and I think they've come to recognize my face as a part of their surroundings lol. I feel like a new parent all over again. I'm usually right there to watch their meals and then ease off for most of the day.
No worries.. I would much rather someone worry me than just let it go. If I'm ever at a point that I need to watch for something, I want to be sure I'm watching for the right thing
I appreciate the help!
~Tonya
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I would definitely not worry about it, they'll get them under control.
Tincs love springtails and they are a great source of calcium. If they are crawling on the frogs you could add some leaf litter.
My BYH go crazy when I put springs in their viv, I put a pile of them in their viv yesterday and when I fed tonight they had practically finished them off.
-Beth
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I think they're just having a pool party. I'd buy them some Coronas.
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Jon
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Ha, I think I just took it overboard with the initial seeding. I have a plastic shoe box as a master culture and it reproduces like crazy. It's hard to imagine that the thousands I have came from around 20. I just added water and poured some in. The water looked almost milky due to the amount of them. I was trying to thin it out to keep it from crashing, but now it seems like I have a springtail tank with a couple of frogs instead. I'll just wait for them to thin out and just give my Leucs the extra snacks instead lol.
~Tonya
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