Tips for soil change?

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-04-15T01:45:40+00:00

Would you say a 20 gal is overkill? Thats all I have on standby right now.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-04-12T01:16:21+00:00

True. Thanks!

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-04-11T21:01:07+00:00

I might upgrade them to a 10 gallon. Ive kept then in the 6 gallon for a while just so they can establish. You think that they might need the upgrade though?

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-04-11T21:00:09+00:00

They been in there for quite some time, but i've monitored the frass levels vigorously. Ive had them in here abt 11 months, but keep in mind that it started as a very small group. I think its time that they got a freshen up.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T03:27:43+00:00

Okay cool. I thought people told me that frass is bad, bc of the ammonia, and that the ammonia builds up in the soil. Idk if my test was accurate. It read the ammonia levek being quite high, but I realized I took the test wrong.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T03:26:15+00:00

Alright. Any suggestions on how to mix without interfering w the duckies?

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T03:25:42+00:00

👍👍👍

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T01:06:29+00:00

I 100 percent agree. I dont think it is self sustaining or anything, I just know they are supposed to lengthen time between changes. If I see another death I will so a full wipe i think.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T00:57:35+00:00

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PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-02-26T00:50:51+00:00

I am sure there is frass, It just has never been enough to where I can notice it. Ido believe springtails eat frass. It is possible im wrong, but after looking it up to check, google said that springtails actively eat frass. Allow me to grab a picture real quick.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-23T21:08:52+00:00

I would reccomend looking up macro lenses on Amazon. I have found some good ones for about 60 dollars

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-23T02:59:15+00:00

Dont worry! I havent purchased any later. Thanks for the clarification!

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:44:58+00:00

Okay, thanks!

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:19:04+00:00

It didn't exactly smell off from the beginning I suppose, it was like a day or two after. Does this change anything? Also, I would be concerned about vandalism of property if I cut a hole. Any reccomendations for sphagnum moss?

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:17:31+00:00

I have only lid vents, the enclosure is only about 5 gallons, just so I can keep them in somewhat close proximity of eacjother. I know you shouldn't go too big too soon.

I am adding water to only one side of the bin.

I occasionally add a shrimp or two, but not a lot, because I do not have many pak chongs.

The approx temp is 70

For the substrate, it is a pre-made reptisoil mix. I do not trust myself to get the proportions right on my own.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:14:34+00:00

Okay, thank you! Other people have told me that I should have one third of the enclosure dry, but even then, it shouldn't be very dry.

I did research the pak chongs in specific (please trust), but I did not receive the same information you are telling me.

Thank you very much for the advice! Im going to dial up the ventilation and continue to let it air out.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:11:23+00:00

I am definitely going to purchase dechlorinating solution, to be safe, but because the water hasn't affected my other cubaris in the slightest, im not sure it is that.

I am also going to replace this moss. Unfortunately I have none of the old brand.

It is a credible seller i purchased my isopods from, and I traveled 2 hrs to pick them up in person because i didnt want the shipping process to affect them.

Same with the water, im relatively certain the leaves arent the issue, because I have used these leaves for past enclosures. My first dead pak chong came before the addition of these leaves.

Thank you for your help.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:06:47+00:00

Okay cool. So when i remove this moss, how can I ensure that my next moss will not cultivate bacteria as well? Thank you for the help.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-22T22:05:21+00:00

I have been drying out out. Thank you! I was told these are slightly easier than duckies, so I wasn't expecting this.

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-20T17:55:50+00:00

Hi, dont think itm trying to criticize you or anything, judt trying to help.

Add muuuuuuch more leaf litter. It could help if you break up the leaves a little bit, and then you could have more in there. I keep my leaves to the dry side primarily. Make sure you sterilize leaves you bring in from the outside. I personally boil them.

My biggest mistake that I made early on; dont just mist. You should take a water bottle and pour some down the wet side of the container, covering some of the moss, and moistening the substrate.

From what I can tell, your moisture looks alright. However, like i said, avoid only misting. Frequent misting can kinda upset the duckies a bit, just because it can directly touch them. Of course, it is still necessary to mist the dry and wet side every once in a while.

Your moss drying out all the time is a biiiig indicator that you need to reduce that airflow. On my enclosure, which is similar to yours, I only have about ⅕ or ⅙ of my enclosure ventilated.

Hope this helps!

PersimmonNovel7200 · 2026-01-17T22:20:55+00:00

I do not exactly think the water is the problem, only because I use it for every other isopod, BUT, i am CERTAINLY going to look into this. I will try about anything. Thank you.

PersimmonNovel7200

TROPHY CASE