top of page
How to set up an isopod culture
Step one: Carefully drill or cut ventilation holes into the sides of your bin, then hot glue mesh over the holes. I prefer 35 micron mesh.
Examples of hole sizes and placement on 33 and 12 quart ezystorage bins. I use this exact ventilation setup on most cultures
Step two: add one or more inches of soil. I use a mix of Coast of Maine Raised Bed Mix and fine charcoal pieces. Sometimes I add sand, compost, or other ingredients. You can get away with using just about any kind of soil, even coco coir.
Step three: thoroughly water your wet side. You want it to be moist not just on the surface but all the way to the bottom.
Step four: Add bark. Optionally add a calcium source such as crushed oyster shells and a springtail cleanup crew.
Step five: Add a thick layer of leaf litter and give a light spray down with water on the moist side. Preferably let the culture settle in for a week or two before adding isopods so microbes and fungi can reach a healthy balance.
All done! Here is a link to purchase ezystorage containers, the best for culturing isopods:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/6-PACK-EZY-STORAGE-WATERPROOF-3Gal-12Qt-11-4L-STORAGE-BOX-IP67/15911768076
bottom of page