springtail culture died!?!?!

[rs4guy]

I'm not sure why, first time with them, kept at around 72-75F, they seemed great for about 4 days, then they all stopped moving and the container started getting really smelly. Any tips? I only sprinkled a tiny bit of yeast once. Other than that, they were left alone to multiply and such....

 

[Precarious]

I've had a culture going for well over a year with virtually no maintenance. No idea what happened here but if it smells something definitely went wrong. I kept mine in the container they came in from Josh's Frogs and add water and a few grains of rice every 3 or 4 months. That's all it takes. I think the charcoal keeps the water from getting stagnant? Not sure but it works.

 

[rs4guy]

Did you have hundreds of springtails Prec? Or just a few dozen? Mine all just died, no warning, and it effin stinks!

 

[hibiscusmile]

it is the yeast, do not add yeast to their house, just use rice, fish pellets or barley, or something like that, yeast cause a gas and without air ventilation it will kill them and fruit flies.

 

[rs4guy]

Ah ok, good call. So a few grains of uncooked brown rice should work huh? How often HSmile? Thanks!

 

[hibiscusmile]

I only do it once every 3 mts, but that is wrong, feed them one or two a week, I am lazy girl! and I promise to be better, starting next, wednesday, yes, that's it wednesday!

 

[meaganelise9]

Agreed. I used cichlid food every week or two and keep at least an inch of water in the bottom. Mold will grow.

 

[Mantiskid]

What do you even need springtails for? P.S. Once when I bred woodlice I somehow ended up with thousands of little springtails LOL ! Don't know how they got in there, but they just kept on breeding until I finally had to transfer them. I actually (I know this might sound weird) fed them dead insects.

 

[rs4guy]

They are the cleanup crew in most of my setups. I got the hang of their care, prolific buggers once they take off....