Ventilation for dairy cow isopods

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Hello everyone! I'm going to get dairy cow isopods soon, but I'm not sure how many ventilation holes I should drill in their enclosure. What is a good amount on each side?

Thanks,
-SkittlesTheJumpingSpider

 

[BoyFromLA]

This is how I keep them, in the aquarium. If you are going to drill holes, then I would recommend to put them on top. The reason is, their babies are so tiny, they can easily escape through small holes, if they are reachable.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

This is how I keep them, in the aquarium. If you are going to drill holes, then I would recommend to put them on top. The reason is, their babies are so tiny, they can easily escape through small holes, if they are reachable.

View attachment 413088

View attachment 413089

View attachment 413090

Nice colony!
How many air holes should I add to their enclosure?

 

[BoyFromLA]

It would be easier to answer if you can show me what enclosure you are going to use.

But, just about enough to maintain some moist in the substrate would be good.

 

[Smotzer]

There’s no real measurable standard for how many ventilation holes to drill for most isopods as long as there is air movement most are fine. The more you drill the more you may have to moisten the substrate as a general rule of thumb but Porcellio laevis aren’t a species like Porcellio expansus, Porcellio werneri, or the other large Porcellio that high amounts ventilation is a big key IME.

On the moist side burying some of the sphagnum moss down into the substrate some will help the moist side will help keep moisture longer on that side, which allows you to add more ventilation, which both I do with all my colonies and it really helps keep moisture in while encouraging air movement.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

precisely 12 air holes. the size and shape of the enclosure and the size of the holes is irrelevant, as long as you have exactly 12 holes. 11 is not enough. 13 is too many. 14 is right out.

 

[Aquarimax]

Dairy Cows seem to be able to adapt to quite a wide wide variety in ventilation, as long as there is some air exchange, and the substrate doesn’t dry out.
my favorite sort of ventilation for this species is to drill about six 1/16 inch holes high on the short sides of the enclosure, and maybe 29 1/16” holes high on the Long sides, near the drier end. But honestly, unless your enclosure seals tightly, there is probably enough ventilation without drilling…for example, a standard non-gasket Sterilite tub can work even with additional holes, as the lid already permits some air exchange.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Dairy Cows seem to be able to adapt to quite a wide wide variety in ventilation, as long as there is some air exchange, and the substrate doesn’t dry out.
my favorite sort of ventilation for this species is to drill about six 1/16 inch holes high on the short sides of the enclosure, and maybe 29 1/16” holes high on the Long sides, near the drier end. But honestly, unless your enclosure seals tightly, there is probably enough ventilation without drilling…for example, a standard non-gasket Sterilite tub can work even with additional holes, as the lid already permits some air exchange.

precisely 12 air holes. the size and shape of the enclosure and the size of the holes is irrelevant, as long as you have exactly 12 holes. 11 is not enough. 13 is too many. 14 is right out.

There’s no real measurable standard for how many ventilation holes to drill for most isopods as long as there is air movement most are fine. The more you drill the more you may have to moisten the substrate as a general rule of thumb but Porcellio laevis aren’t a species like Porcellio expansus, Porcellio werneri, or the other large Porcellio that high amounts ventilation is a big key IME.

On the moist side burying some of the sphagnum moss down into the substrate some will help the moist side will help keep moisture longer on that side, which allows you to add more ventilation, which both I do with all my colonies and it really helps keep moisture in while encouraging air movement.

It would be easier to answer if you can show me what enclosure you are going to use.

But, just about enough to maintain some moist in the substrate would be good.

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! @BoyFromLA , I will post some pictures of the enclosure soon. Thanks again!