Substrate Depth for Thai Rainbow Millipedes and (Possibly) Bumblebee Millipedes

[DatMillipede]

How deep do you recommend the substrate depth for these species of pedes? Bonus points if someone can tell me how many bags of substrate to order from bugsincyberspace.

Additional Info:
Tank Size-10 gallon old fish tank
Pede Count- 2-3 Thai Rainbows, and 0-2 Bumblebees.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Spepper]

I would say about 5 inches in substrate. As for bags of substrate, no idea. I always make my own so I've never ordered it.

 

[MelissaDBrown]

I was told at least four inches for substrate for millipedes, possibly more for the giants. They love to burrow and they need plenty of it.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Yes, 4-5 inches is good for the small to medium size millipedes. I do 6-8 inches for my A. gigas.

 

[lancej]

I believe that 6 bags will make 4 inches of dry substrate in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[Cavedweller]

I've heard it's preferable to make the substrate about 50% cocofiber (coir). The millipedes generally won't eat it, but it enables the substrate to hold tunnels. That's what I use in all my pede tanks. You can buy bricks of compressed cocofiber at chain petstores in the reptile section.

 

[shebeen]

You want two layers of substrate: A base layer to help retain moisture and a food layer for feeding. The base layer can be ground coco fiber (eco-earth, etc.) or a good pesticide free hardwood mulch (if you can find one). I use coco fiber because it's easily obtained and of a known quality. The food layer should be a mix of 50% base material and 50% rotting hardwood and hardwood leaves. Oak, Beech and Maple are all good choices for hardwood/leaves. The wood should crumble in your hands and the leaves should have been on the ground for several months. Grind the hardwood and leaves into small pieces before mixing with the base material. You can also use the millipede food mixes from KTBG or BIC for the food layer but this can get expensive after awhile.

I set up my tubs with 2 inches of damp food substrate on top of 2 inches of damp base substrate. I then cover everything with a layer of leaf litter, some chunks of rotting wood, and give it a good misting.