Proper millipede setup???

[BugLord]

I just setup up a 16 Quart Tub for millipedes! I wanted the community to check and see if I'm doing it 100% right, before I put living organisms into it.

~30% Scott's Premium Topsoil (No ferts from what I researched)
~40% Leafgro Organic Compost (No ferts from what I researched as well)
~10% Aspen shavings by zoomed mixed into the substrate
~10% hardwood leaves mixed into the substrate (that have been sterlized)
~10% dried sphagnum moss mixed into the substrate
And 1 piece of bark as a hide amongst the leaves on the top.
My substrate is about 6.5 inches deep.
Ordered a culture of springtails as well.

Is there anything I'm missing or doing wrong?
Are the soils I'm using okay for millipedes?
Should I go collect more rotten wood and sterilize it?

Thank you!

 

[SeaNettle]

First, let me start by saying welcome to the boards. Second, if you don't mind me asking, do you know what kind of millipedes you intend to keep. And third, this looks pretty solid to me, but I would prefer a veteran of the board like @Arthroverts to weigh in, I'm sure you'd prefer it as well .

 

[BugLord]

First, let me start by saying welcome to the boards. Second, if you don't mind me asking, do you know what kind of millipedes you intend to keep. And third, this looks pretty solid to me, but I would prefer a veteran of the board like @Arthroverts to weigh in, I'm sure you'd prefer it as well .

Thank you for the warm welcome!! I'm really torn between 3 species, Narceus americanus, Narceus gordanus, and Floridobolus Floydi! I've seen/heard that the Floydi need more sand in the substrate though.

 

[SeaNettle]

Thank you for the warm welcome!! I'm really torn between 3 species, Narceus americanus, Narceus gordanus, and Floridobolus Floydi! I've seen/heard that the Floydi need more sand in the substrate though.

I keep all three of these species, and id say that it comes down to personal preference as none of these are particularly challenging to keep. In my opinion, americanus is the most striking of the three I love observing mine, but I have been watching my flordibolus a lot lately because they're just cute chonky boys (and they're mating). Gordanus are beautiful and easy to keep though I refuse to handle them unless necessary because they tend to go chemical warfare on me.

 

[BugLord]

I keep all three of these species, and id say that it comes down to personal preference as none of these are particularly challenging to keep. In my opinion, americanus is the most striking of the three I love observing mine, but I have been watching my flordibolus a lot lately because they're just cute chonky boys (and they're mating). Gordanus are beautiful and easy to keep though I refuse to handle them unless necessary because they tend to go chemical warfare on me.

That's so awesome, literally the dream haha! I grew up lifting logs and finding micropedes and lots and lots of Narceus Americanus! I'm going to college now for Environmental Studies, and I'm not much of a partier lolll, so I tend to have some free time nowadays. I recently did a project on flat back millipede diversity in Virginia so it led to me making a millipede tub! Do any of the millipedes you own require different needs, like substrate, temp, humidity, etc?

 

[Arthroverts]

Thanks for the compliment @SeaNettle and the tag. I still have a lot more to learn though, ha ha. There are many millipede species under the sun...

Anyway, that sounds like an excellent substrate mix, though I'm not familiar with either of those top soil brands. What are the ingredients? So long as they have no added fertilizers (which you already checked for by the sounds of it), chemicals, "cides", or miscellaneous "other" (i.e those little styrofoam pieces...), then they should be good.

However, I do notice that you only have about 20% distinctly edible food substrate in the leaves and the aspen shavings. I would highly suggest bumping that up to closer to 50% by adding more crushed/shredded leaves, crushed rotting wood, aspen shavings, clean high-quality compost, etc. It makes a huge difference in how long the substrate lasts and increases the survival rate of young millipedes, in some cases dramatically.
Also, I would recommend crushing most of those leaves on the surface. Large leaves tend to remain only eaten around the edges and never in quantity (at least in my experience), while crushed leaves will be eaten rapidly and in volume.

Otherwise looks good! All three of the species you are thinking about are reasonably hardy, though the Floridobolus floydi may require a slightly drier surface, and Narceus gordanus make trapdoor spiders look like overactive puppies (ridiculously fossorial...).

Hope this helps,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

Thanks for the compliment @SeaNettle and the tag. I still have a lot more to learn though, ha ha. There are many millipede species under the sun...

Anyway, that sounds like an excellent substrate mix, though I'm not familiar with either of those top soil brands. What are the ingredients? So long as they have no added fertilizers (which you already checked for by the sounds of it), chemicals, "cides", or miscellaneous "other" (i.e those little styrofoam pieces...), then they should be good.

However, I do notice that you only have about 20% distinctly edible food substrate in the leaves and the aspen shavings. I would highly suggest bumping that up to closer to 50% by adding more crushed/shredded leaves, crushed rotting wood, aspen shavings, clean high-quality compost, etc. It makes a huge difference in how long the substrate lasts and increases the survival rate of young millipedes, in some cases dramatically.
Also, I would recommend crushing most of those leaves on the surface. Large leaves tend to remain only eaten around the edges and never in quantity (at least in my experience), while crushed leaves will be eaten rapidly and in volume.

Otherwise looks good! All three of the species you are thinking about are reasonably hardy, though the Floridobolus floydi may require a slightly drier surface, and Narceus gordanus make trapdoor spiders look like overactive puppies (ridiculously fossorial...).

Hope this helps,

Arthroverts

Wow! Thank you so much!!!
I'll link the two soils for you to double check me-

Scotts Premium Topsoil | Scotts

Topsoil made with premium ingredients to condition the soil in your lawn or garden.

www.scotts.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Leafgro-LeafGro-40-lb-Organic-Compost-Provides-Organic-Nutrients/3152593

And yes!!! I will go out tomorrow and collect some more leaves and find some rotting hardwood. Should I look for pieces of wood that are bright white and very very weak (like if I squeezed it, it would crumble)? Is that considered rotten?
Thank you sososo much for your help btw!

 

[Arthroverts]

Both ingredient lists for the respective soils appear to check out. I'd wait for a few other responses from those who may have experience with these brands first however.

Yes, the rotting white wood that flakes and is super soft is the best kind of rotting wood. If you find any, lichens are also eaten with relish, though I wouldn't recommend burying them in the substrate, rather place them on the surface for the millipedes to find.

Happy to be of service!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

Perfect! I'll be white wood hunting tomorrow lol! Lichen? Wow, I didn't know the millipedes ate that ~ detrivores eating detrivores that's pretty metal. What species of millipedes do you own?

 

[Arthroverts]

Perfect! I'll be white wood hunting tomorrow lol! Lichen? Wow, I didn't know the millipedes ate that ~ detrivores eating detrivores that's pretty metal. What species of millipedes do you own?

It is quite fun to see them eat holes in branches upon which it is growing.

A few species, and I've kept more in the past. This blog post of mine details a few of the species I have currently, though I have acquired Brachcybe lecontii and lost the Bollmaniulus since that was posted. I am planning on getting more species here soon if I can.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

It is quite fun to see them eat holes in branches upon which it is growing.

A few species, and I've kept more in the past. This blog post of mine details a few of the species I have currently, though I have acquired Brachcybe lecontii and lost the Bollmaniulus since that was posted. I am planning on getting more species here soon if I can.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Okay I'll have to check it out!!! Brachcybe is a flat millipede, right?
I have another question lol! So I live in a loft, the downstairs is about 73 degrees, and I'm upstairs. So I'm assuming my room is about 74-75ish degrees considering that heat rises, would that be okay for millipedes?

 

[Arthroverts]

Okay I'll have to check it out!!! Brachcybe is a flat millipede, right?
I have another question lol! So I live in a loft, the downstairs is about 73 degrees, and I'm upstairs. So I'm assuming my room is about 74-75ish degrees considering that heat rises, would that be okay for millipedes?

It is, a platydesmid in fact, unlike other flat millipedes which are often polydesmids.

That temperature is perfect actually.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

It is, a platydesmid in fact, unlike other flat millipedes which are often polydesmids.

That temperature is perfect actually.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Perfect, thank you for all your help! I ordered a culture of springtails and I assume I can just dump them in so they can get situated before the millipedes?
Thanks again

 

[Arthroverts]

That would be the best way, ha ha. Are they white springtails or big pink springtails?

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

I'm pretty sure the little white ones, I'll take a screenshot.

 

[BugLord]

Update! @Arthroverts :
Just foraged for some white wood and leaves earlier today, about 3 hand fulls of leaves and a lottttt of white(ish) wood! I'll be mixing it in tommorow after sterilizing everything in the oven!

 

[Arthroverts]

Got to this late, most excellent!

This is likely too late, but make sure that if you do you use an oven to pasteurize the wood keep the temperatures low. Around 200F works best. At higher temperatures the wood may be partially sterilized but it seems to kill off micro-organisms that help control the growth of mold, leading to absolutely massive outbreaks once placed in the enclosure.
Nowadays I don't even use an oven, rather jus washing it off and spreading it outside on pans in the sun for a few days.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

Got to this late, most excellent!

This is likely too late, but make sure that if you do you use an oven to pasteurize the wood keep the temperatures low. Around 200F works best. At higher temperatures the wood may be partially sterilized but it seems to kill off micro-organisms that help control the growth of mold, leading to absolutely massive outbreaks once placed in the enclosure.
Nowadays I don't even use an oven, rather jus washing it off and spreading it outside on pans in the sun for a few days.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

All good haha! & Perfect!!! I kept it in the oven for about 30 minutes at 210F, it came out soft but dry so i added water and crushed it up to the best of my ability, some chunks are still the size of a pinky fingernail but I'd assume that's okay?

Also! The springtails I bought are listed as temperate/tropical springtails, and the picture seems to show the white type. Is that the kind I should have?
And what's the difference between the white and pink?

Sorry for so many questions, you've been an amazing help and I really appreciate it!

Dagan Hunt

 

[Arthroverts]

That is perfect.

Hmm. You want to avoid the tropical, big, pink springtails (Sinella sp.) if you can as they reproduce rapidly and can stress millipedes, roaches, isopods, etc. out by constant tactile stimulation, in this way becoming similar to grain mites but not as easy to keep under control.
Almost any of the smaller, temperate, "white" or "silver" springtail will work fine.
Coloration, size, and locality are the main differences between the two, though there are many, many species of springtails under the sun.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[BugLord]

That is perfect.

Hmm. You want to avoid the tropical, big, pink springtails (Sinella sp.) if you can as they reproduce rapidly and can stress millipedes, roaches, isopods, etc. out by constant tactile stimulation, in this way becoming similar to grain mites but not as easy to keep under control.
Almost any of the smaller, temperate, "white" or "silver" springtail will work fine.
Coloration, size, and locality are the main differences between the two, though there are many, many species of springtails under the sun.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Are these the temperate ones? (I'll attach a screenshot of the ones I ordered)
Thank you
Dagan Hunt