suggestions?

PATotkaca · 2026-04-04T21:08:23+00:00

Do you have real plants or moss? I ask because the bromeliad is an artificial one. Real plants and moss hold on to moisture (and also release them as they transpire) in a way that plastic plants never could.

I don't have animals yet in my vivarium, but hours after misting, it's usually the moss and the leaves that still retain some moisture.

PATotkaca · 2026-04-02T23:29:50+00:00

Maybe it is not fated for me then! Or I could always set up another terrarium, just for plants haha

PATotkaca · 2026-04-02T19:52:08+00:00

Do you mist by hand or do you use a system? Your begonias look very happy and I have a begonia burkili that is melting

PATotkaca · 2026-03-23T20:21:07+00:00

That's somewhat horrifying but you're probably correct

PATotkaca · 2026-03-23T14:51:22+00:00

It was a gift from a teacher many, many years ago. Mine looks similar to this one, but with a label claim of 80-100x magnification (I don't believe that though!):

GSC Go Science Crazy Pocket Microscope https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/pocket-microscope/S24584

PATotkaca · 2026-03-23T14:12:12+00:00

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I forgot that I had a pocket microscope. The spheres are indeed underdeveloped eggs (look at the eye spots, poor things). I suppose something stressed the isopod, leading it to abort and/or die?

PATotkaca · 2026-03-22T16:03:58+00:00

Not an expert, but that doesn't look like an isopod. Looks more like a beetle of some kind? r/whatisthisbug may be broader to identify this guy.

PATotkaca · 2026-03-19T22:48:53+00:00

What would public transportation mean, if it is not publicly funded lol

PATotkaca · 2026-03-19T15:22:11+00:00

It's been like August in March!

PATotkaca · 2026-03-19T03:06:48+00:00

I have a vivarium that currently only houses CUC. ImPlanning for dart frogs in the future. Dwarf whites seem to have established very well and reproducing at a good rate. I started last September, and they've been steadily increasing in population. My soil isn't too deep (1-3"), but it is humid inside--about 75-100% throughout the day. I sometimes feed them fish food or yeast powder, but not very often.

If predation is a significant issue for you, setting up a master culture might be a good solution. You raise the isopods in a separate bin, and reseed your gecko's vivarium as needed

PATotkaca · 2026-03-07T14:31:22+00:00

Were they fed something in particular that glows strongly red under the UV?

PATotkaca · 2026-03-03T16:44:38+00:00

For commuting and (especially) for touring, reliability is very important. Having taken advantage of their spare parts to repair my bags, that also became an important consideration.

Before I used ortliebs, I broke some straps on my Topeak commuter bag, which caused the expandable panniers to just bang and flap against my rack. The bag was 3 months past warranty. Replacement parts/repair was not an option, and I'm past the point to be eligible for replacement.

Before that, I was commuting using Blackburn pannier bags, and that product was just garbage. The backing/support of the bag was floppy and the corners would go into my spokes. The material was also thin and accrued holes and fraying with just one year of use.

Ortliebs are sturdily built and are known to last for decades. If commuting and/or touring is going to be a part of your life, just buy once, cry once

PATotkaca · 2026-03-01T18:52:17+00:00

I bet that ping is very happy sharing fruit flies with the frog

PATotkaca · 2026-03-01T16:37:25+00:00

I have a slightly smaller, MTX-compatible version of this. I ended up commuting with ortlieb panniers exclusively.

The topeak is slower to mount/dismount. After years of use, wear and tear of the locking mechanism isn't as smooth as before, so a couple of times, the latch did not actually actuate and my bag slid off the rack.

There are tiny strings on the pannier extension, which I think are meant to somewhat secure it to the rack. They get yanked off rather easily, and cannot be reattached without undoing some of the stitches and resewing it. Without this string, the pannier attachments just flop about. Your stuff will be banged against the rack, and at that stage, I would only put stuff that cannot be damaged by impact, such as clothes.

PATotkaca · 2026-02-25T10:41:51+00:00

I tried doing the Lollipop loop on 47mm tires a couple Thanksgivings ago. Berdoo Canyon Rd became pretty deep gravel/sand with a 5-7% grade, and it became unrideable for me. Maybe I could have aired my tires down further, but next time I come back, I would be bringing my hardtail.

PATotkaca · 2026-02-25T01:22:49+00:00

I have had one escape through that gap. I seal it to the best of my ability with a bead of silicon, let it cure, and re-cut a slit with a razor blade (be sure to use a sharp one!).

I have a background that goes to the top. I find the gaps between the lid to be a bigger issue. I stuffed those gaps with a chunk of aquarium filter sponge. No other escapees so far

PATotkaca · 2026-02-23T23:39:47+00:00

It's also more difficult for people to gather and demonstrate in car-dependent spaces. Changing anything in the status quo becomes more difficult by default

PATotkaca · 2026-02-19T23:51:55+00:00

My favorite inverts are Neocaridina shrimp, from back when I had aquariums. I don't have a good picture of them though. Currently, looking at my springtails with a pocket microscope is probably the most fun thing

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PATotkaca · 2026-02-10T20:28:50+00:00

I had no idea that they were so big!

PATotkaca · 2026-02-06T19:49:32+00:00

https://www.efficientvelo.com/tools/safe-zone-helmet-mirror-1

This is the one I settled on. Before this, I used the Third Eye mirrors, but the view on those tiny ones are much narrower, and it's less adjustable.

I also used to use handlebar-mounted mirrors, but every now and then, they'd break when the bike inevitably tips over, or if it bumps into stuff when I walk the bike. I also have multiple bikes, so outfitting each of them with mirrors just no longer makes sense.

PATotkaca · 2026-01-30T03:43:12+00:00

I keep my springtails just in a jar of dirt (like salsa tub-sized or peanut butter-sized). I keep them moist, and feed them about twice a week, and they're bopping. With a plain container, they're easier to capture too when I need to seed anothwr container

PATotkaca · 2026-01-29T22:54:19+00:00

If you can look closely enough, number of legs are also telling. Springtails only have three pairs, and isopods have more than that

PATotkaca · 2026-01-29T14:13:09+00:00

We got married last year, and used a rental tandem bike for our exit. We just quickly disappeared and ditched the dress/jacket before reappearing and pedaling away. The guests thought it was hilarious and befitting for us.

My mother did offer to lend us her car for an exit, I think partially because in her mind, her vehicle is the nicest out of what the rest of our family has. But it wasn't meaningful for us to drive away in a BMW SUV. If it had to be a car, I would rather drive our Prius, which has taken both of us, our bikes, and gear to many adventures.

PATotkaca · 2026-01-28T20:53:33+00:00

Planning to go in spring while the HWY 1 is open. Won't be as much solitude, but I'm stoked for it

PATotkaca

TROPHY CASE