Excellent video. All kinds of great information here! Well done. (for calcium for the substrate, I purchase Calcium bicarbonate make for human consumption by the 2lb bag off Amazon. Works great)
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yeppers! Thank you kindly Wally, always
@jimmygreeson1602 жыл бұрын
Great video! Your straightforward explanation takes the mystery out of diy substrate. Thank you very much.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Very kind Jimmy, thank you
@realbrooklyn20932 жыл бұрын
I though I understood substrate but thanks to Chris I learned so much more today! Thank you sir
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
our understanding of the dynamics of the forest floor is ever evolving. Thanks for watching
@shannonheinritz93067 ай бұрын
Wonderful video. I just acquired two colonies that definitely need a soil reset. Not sure I’ll be able to find the decaying tree right now considering everything is covered in snow. I’ll try to recreate the rest.
@themadaquarist7 ай бұрын
Find a source for flake soil online and add some to each colony. This will jump start the biologicals
@albytross86812 жыл бұрын
One thing not mentioned here about the tree fern, and because I’m currently fighting a never ending war with flower pot fungus in both my dwarf white bin and my dart frog vivarium (the fungus came from the dwarf whites source) is that it’s thought that flower pot fungus originates from certain tree ferns. Which is why a lot of ABGs are also potentially harboring this fungus. I pretty much will only ever mix my own substrate now. If you haven’t had flower pot fungus yet count yourself lucky, it’s probably the worst thing that can happen to your vivarium that nobody seems to talk about. No isopods or springtails will eat it, so it just keeps spreading and it’s really disgusting looking Your substrate mix is perfect though, much better than an ABG imo. I’m definitely going to be incorporating what you suggest. I already ordered calcium sand because that is a GENIUS idea. I’m gonna be on the lookout for rotting logs now too
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you kindly for the comments. I have experienced this fungus but honestly had no idea it could possibly be attributed to tree fern. It is not a product readily available here and when it is it is somewhat cost prohibitive. My main use of it back in the day was for mounting orchids and I had never considered adding it as a component to a vivarium mix until I came across the recipe for ABG mix. So thank you for that as well.
@albytross86812 жыл бұрын
@@themadaquarist Yeah and honestly all the components you mixed work just as well and are way cheaper anyways, so not much reason to spend a ton on tree fern for substrate 😂 For mounting plants though I definitely see it’s use.
@horselady6276 Жыл бұрын
This was such an amazing video explaining everything, thank you so much for making this!
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching
@Emlah90817 ай бұрын
Im about to start my first isopod culture. Magic potions. So i came here and then went tobamazon and bought a small bag of calcium carbonate (1kg) for like £5 so thank you ^°^
@themadaquarist7 ай бұрын
Have fun!
@barbhelle5481 Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for showing what you put in the mix.
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Truly my pleasure Barb, your subbed to the new channel already? Realm Natura
@ravingcyclist624 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video! Thanks! Just received a shipment of isopods. They came packaged inside a mixture like you just described.
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Glad I could help!
@geofishdude94882 жыл бұрын
Great two for one video. Isopod AND soil science, what else can we ask for
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Very kind my friend, thank you
@billmeyer4773 Жыл бұрын
Magnificent learning experience 👌 , I'm sure going to use this information wisely
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
The Hank you kindly Bill, make sure you subscribe to the new channel as this channels focus has gone back to primarily fish. All the new isopod, reptile, vivarium, arachnid etc… content is now here…. youtube.com/@themadaquaristsrealmnatura2556
@nicky25294 Жыл бұрын
I'm off to the woods tomorrow great information 👌 👍
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Have fun! Spending time in the woods is always a good time
@juniadventures9 ай бұрын
Great video
@ariflowers66882 жыл бұрын
This is such a great video!! I'm curious - when you wild forage your moss pods, how do you sterilize them? Do they hold up in the oven? My fear would be drying them out too much and having them breakdown.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Freezing, Boiling, Baking will kill not only the bad but also all the good in the mosses. I prefer submerging the freshly collected mosses in a closed tub of water. after say 24-48 hours everything bad will be killed off whilst keeping the beneficial biologicals intact.
@FatalSuccubus2 жыл бұрын
Fantastic information and great video!
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙏
@missmaggie5238 Жыл бұрын
Great video! Very very helpful!
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Very kind Miss Maggie, thank you
@MIsopods Жыл бұрын
Hi Chris! You mentioned a TDS meter. I could easily just look it up, but could you maybe do a video on what that is, how to use it, and specifically in regards to isopod substrate and how you monitor it?
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Great suggestion!
@AquaGardenZen2 жыл бұрын
Amazing video well explained thank you for the knowledge 👍
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you kindly for watching my friend
@pattie48122 жыл бұрын
I’m very new to the isopod hobby. Thank you so much for your videos. You have mentioned that rotting wood is very important for them to feed on. Do you have a recommendation of a seller of rotting wood? I have ordered cork bark. But I can’t really find rotting wood for isopod. Thank you for your help, and thank you for your videos.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very kindly for the beautiful words. May I ask where you’re located? USA 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦? Europe? Thank his would make it a lot easier to better direct you
@pattie48122 жыл бұрын
@@themadaquarist USA
@meowthekitty3212 жыл бұрын
If you’re still interested, I believe Smug Bug sells rotten wood.
@JagaimoNoTensai Жыл бұрын
Great vid, Thankyou
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
My pleasure! Thanks for watching
@sandysizemore1828 Жыл бұрын
great vid - thanks !
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it! Thanks Sandy
@ChantalsCritters2 жыл бұрын
Great information
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@micyo19282 жыл бұрын
Great video, I have a question, do you know the optimum pH (water and soil) for these organisms. An interesting question.
@JohnDoe-xq8sk Жыл бұрын
When you add sand at times, is quickcrete play sand okay? I wasn't sure if it was okay to use silica based sand. I figured it is but not sure.
@mq3018 Жыл бұрын
Great video. However, do we have to cycle the soil? I'm from Singapore and the hobbyists are recommending that we cycle our soil, quite like cycling an aquarium, have you heard of it? Also should we bake our soil mix before putting it in our enclosure?
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Lots of options both ways. Cycling the substrate by inoculating with bacteria’s, springtails etc… can definitely help settle newly acquired or delicate species. I personally try to. As for baking same thing. Pros and cons both ways. As I’m in a northern climate where I can only harvest seasonally. I submerged newly harvested mosses, lichens etc… for 24-48 to kill off dangerous critters which could harm the enclosure In the summer months. But for winter storage everything in our garage goes below freezing. Baking renders everything sterile so no chance of introducing anything negative.
@richardh176411 ай бұрын
Im looking to convert a fish tank to a open terrarium with obviously plants but also isopods, is that mix good for growing plants, the other thing you didnt mention is watering the substrate?
@themadaquarist10 ай бұрын
I use it in all my bioactive terrariums with great success. May want to cut and remove the silicone top third as some isopods May climb it. Watering is always dependent on room ventilation, ambient temperature etc… not something I can advise to. I’m he media is moisture retentive but also drains well
@Nytro19262 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, thank you so much for sharing those precious informations. I just wonder how do you "sterilize" your wood ? I'm preparing a setup, and I've found some good wood in the forest and want to sterilize it. I've seen oven technique for leaves, but not so much info regarding the wood chunks. Does it work with oven for wood too ?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yes I’ve done wood chunks the same way as leaves. I have also soaked forest product for 24-48 hours to maintain the beneficial biologicals but removing the potential dangerous or invasive critters
@Nytro19262 жыл бұрын
@@themadaquarist thank you so much! I've seen some people speaking of freezing instead of oven. Did you tried both? It may be easier for me to freeze than oven, but I'm afraid freezing keeps some mushrooms and other bad stuff.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
@@Nytro1926 depending on where you are from. I’m up in Manitoba Canada and freezing forest products from up will just more than likely cause dormancy. However if in southern US where freezing generally would never occur it could be an option
@katieglauber30832 жыл бұрын
What about oyster shell for calcium? Like the kind fed to egg laying hens?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yes definitely
@erickperez8770 Жыл бұрын
Hey chris, for the sea soil or the fox farm forest floor soil. Do you bake it before introducing it into a vivarium/terrarium? Thank you!
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
No I do not
@erickperez8770 Жыл бұрын
@themadaquarist would you think it would be a negative thing if someone did before putting it in a vivarium? I wanna be safe but at the same time I'm not sure if doing so will kill all the beneficial goodness in the soil
@snobt.v.8162 ай бұрын
Anyone know if the Calcium Carbonate needs to be human food grade? Or can I use those that are used for agriculture?
@themadaquarist2 ай бұрын
It’s just a calcium source. Human grade would just mean it’s been purified. Won’t matter to your pods
@mongguppiesandendlers Жыл бұрын
Can you use chicken grit too? I have freshwater snails so I have chicken grit laying around which is just crushed oyster shells and coral calcium. Is it also safe for isopods?
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Most definitely
@ericfab48582 жыл бұрын
Canada wooooooooooooooo
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
🥃🥃
@cassiesattler23272 жыл бұрын
How does palleted lime for gardens for calcium and hardwood smoker pellets as a wood source compare?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Both work very well
@trevanchapman76172 жыл бұрын
Is the perlite in the Fox farm ocean forest potting soil ok for them? I know it's not ideal for millipedes.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yes, Perlite is fully inert. It offers absolutely nothing to the isopods nor Millipedes.
@bile8972 жыл бұрын
I’m getting Cubaris sp. Cappuccino, what ingredients do you recommend? Great video btw, thanks 😊 Oh do you think the fallen leaves from a money tree are good to feed them?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Lots of calcium, stable alkaline ph, moist and warmer than say European porcellios otherwise no issues. Thank you kindly for watching
@bile8972 жыл бұрын
@@themadaquarist Thanks so much, love your channel.
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
@@bile897 I’m honoured my friend thank you
@kaidenmullins52546 ай бұрын
Could I use coco fiber
@noctahlia52822 жыл бұрын
If I can't find rotting wood, what else can I use? And if I do find it, is there any easy way to grind it down without having to get a wood chipper?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Rotten wood, like a fallen tree in the forest from years back, an old stump. If truly rotting you’ll easily be able to rip apart the core with bare hands. Another products that many have had a fair bit of success with if wood pellets, for heating. They are super cheap for a large amount. Readily available
@NunyaBitnas21192 жыл бұрын
Is the fox farms shown in the video a good one to use?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yes! 100% I’ve been trying to source it in Canada for over a year and finally found it
@ricodegallo30602 жыл бұрын
👍
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Rico
@philcam9493 Жыл бұрын
Can we use lava, pumice or perlite?
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
They offer nothing to the animals. But great soul aerators
@philcam9493 Жыл бұрын
@@themadaquarist Oh, so ideally everything should be edible. Thanks, Chris!
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
@@philcam9493 correct. It’s doesn’t have adverse effects though
@hollyhoste24832 жыл бұрын
Can you make this in bulk and use it as needed and if so how do you store it?
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
Yes exactly what I do. I always have a 30-40 gallon tote ready to go
@hollyhoste24832 жыл бұрын
Thank you so very much!!!
@ethanotoroculus10602 жыл бұрын
How is peat moss sustainable? Isn't it harvested by excavation and destructive to the ecosystems it comes from?
@ethanotoroculus10602 жыл бұрын
Ok cypress is also unsustainable too so-- . _.
@barbhelle5481 Жыл бұрын
Leaves
@themadaquarist Жыл бұрын
Lots and lots of leaves
@jorgecanales7982 жыл бұрын
That substrate doesn't just look great for isopods. That'll actually work as a good outdoor potting soil mix
@themadaquarist2 жыл бұрын
It’s the mix I use for all my vivarium/terrarium builds
@leviadcock240625 күн бұрын
dude wtf sea soil and fox farms ocean soil are 2 completely opposite substrates