Millipede substrate too deep?

[Sooner]

Is there such a thing?? I'm using a local nursey's soil mix that is composed of composted hardwood mulch, rice hulls, and peat moss. From what I can see on the package, there are no added fertilizer.

I took a 1/3 mix of that, combined it with a 1/3 mix of aspen wood bedding, and a 1/3 mix of crushed boiled oak leaves. The tank I'm using is an old cheeseball container with holes poked in for ventilation. My question is if my substrate is too deep.

Most of them are spending their time above the surface while most of the leaves are distributed beneath them (up to 6-8 inches below).

The container itself:

The surface:

Love:

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Is that Chicobolus spinigerus?

Thanks.

 

[Sooner]

Is that Chicobolus spinigerus?

Thanks.

They are. My question remains though. Thanks!

 

[jt39565]

I'm no pede expert, but, should there be that many in a container that size?

 

[Sooner]

There are about 17 of them in that container, though in one angle, they're all clumped to one side. Millipede orgy haha.

 

[jt39565]

that sounds fun. I have done some research due to my wanting to join the enthusiasts in millipedes. I would think it really wouldnt be important how deep the substrate is as long as it is at least 5-6". they will only go as deep as they want to the rest is unnecessary. IMHO.

 

[Sooner]

I'll probably let the soil dry a bit more to see if any burrowing occurs.

I've had millipedes before I gave them away and those were constantly underground. But back then when I was a noob, I only had 2-3" of substrate, so we'll see!

 

[spydrhunter1]

I have 8 to 10 inches of substrate in the AGB set-up.

 

[Fyreflye]

Hmmm... i think i would move them to a container with more available floor space, with that many pedes.

 

[Israel2004]

It maybe just to compacted for them to dig into??? I have 10 in a much smaller container with about 6-7 inches of peat moss and they burrow all the away to the bottom

 

[scoloclown]

i don't know how the soil can be too deep, since the soil in their natural environment wouldn't necessarily have limits. however, in your pic it looks like plenty of depth, but i would give them a little more floor space via a rubbermaid container or something like that. the more elbow room the better (do millipedes have elbows?).

 

[DawnW]

(do millipedes have elbows?).

Lots

I agree on using a storage type container. So much floor space for so little money, always good in my book! They stack nicely too

 

[ArachnidSentinl]

I don't think it's too deep, but I do agree with the comments regarding floor space. When I used to have Ivories, they would almost always stay on the surface unless they were molting.

 

[Sooner]

Fixed the floor space issue, they ended up losing about an inch or two of depth for the substrate but I think it all works out in the end!

Another view:

 

[jt39565]

Thats an awesome display tank! Luv that, how many you got in there?

 

[Sooner]

Thats an awesome display tank! Luv that, how many you got in there?

There are about 17 millipedes in there, hopefully more soon!

 

[ZergFront]

That looks so much better! I never see mine unless I've just taken them out of the cubboard. Course, I have wild CA natives.. :wall:

Do anyone elses' mate after climbing?

 

[Sooner]

That looks so much better! I never see mine unless I've just taken them out of the cubboard. Course, I have wild CA natives.. :wall:

Do anyone elses' mate after climbing?

Mine just digs up to the surface to mate.

 

[NevularScorpion]

what is the average size of those sp. ? I really like their color