Posts: 19
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2013
Hey everyone first off i love this site! Tons of info. I live in southern WI and Im having trouble with my FF cultures. I keep my house at 70 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. the air in the house is very dry despite the whole home humidifier. I was thinking of getting a bigger (20g or so) rubbermaid storage bin and filling the bottom with 3-4" of heated water, probably 78-79 degrees. I was going to make pedestals in the container for the culture cups and springtail culture. Would this work? Or am I making way more complicated than it needs to be? Any suggestions/tips are greatly appreciated! Theyre meloganastor FF feeding 2 Azureus
Korey
Posts: 355
Threads: 11
Joined: Jun 2012
Hi Cyclops,
I think you are over-thinking this. You should not have to go to these means to get your cultures functioning. House temps 68-70 are fine for ff's. How are you culturing your ff's? What medium are you using, what culturing cups/lids? I live in northwestern Illinois, so not too far from you. Tell us how you are culturing, I bet we can help you get this working!
Diane
P. Terribilis orange, R. Imitator Cainarachi Valley, D. Leucomelas, D. Auratus, D. Azureus, P. vittatus, D. cobalts, D.Oyapok, Bombina Orientalis
Posts: 19
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2013
I got the 10 pack from Joshs Frogs. Using their medium in the 32 oz. Clear cups with vented lids and excelsior. Ive had decent production just wanted to get the most bang for my buck. Thinking of making my own medium or switching to repashy when these run out. Its more the humidity that im kinda worried about. Ive been misting the cultures idk if that helps. Thanks!
Korey
Posts: 758
Threads: 8
Joined: Aug 2009
I always recommend having a humidifier in the room with the flies set at 55%.
Glenn
Posts: 19
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2013
Sweet thanks everyone. i moved my cultures onto a sidetable between our humidifier and heat register. We'll see what happens. Wheres a good place online or in my area to get isopod starter cultures? I think I suffocated my springtails so trying that again but id also like to get some pillbugs or something along those lines. Also is it ok just to dump my old culture media outside?
Korey
Posts: 355
Threads: 11
Joined: Jun 2012
If you dump your old culture media outside, you could, theoretically, infect your yard with pathogens. It's better, imo, to put your used cultures in a freezer first, to freeze whatever is leftover and alive. After frozen for several days, I remove the "puck" to the garbage, and then clean my 32 oz containers, and start over.
As for where to get isopod cultures? Any reputable online dealer. I've gotten them from Josh's, NEHerp, and nearby reptile shows. Nearby hobbyists would be my first choice, if available!
P. Terribilis orange, R. Imitator Cainarachi Valley, D. Leucomelas, D. Auratus, D. Azureus, P. vittatus, D. cobalts, D.Oyapok, Bombina Orientalis
Posts: 610
Threads: 23
Joined: May 2011
Welcome to the Den.
Milton... I used to party my ass off in that little town.
What some see as death, others see as beauty.
Casper
Posts: 19
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2013
We have plenty of beer here despite my best efforts. Did you live in the area?
Korey
Posts: 610
Threads: 23
Joined: May 2011
Lived in Janesville/Rock Co for 30+ years before I moved to Texas.
What some see as death, others see as beauty.
Casper
