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Maybe a stupid question RE isopods


FireDrake

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I've wanted to start up more roach colonies, and currently have some dubias.... I have read that the addition of isopods can help keep a colony clean, even mold free? Anyways, been researching them and where to find them, and I realized something. Are they just those little garden bugs I collected as a kid, we called them rolly pollies..... the little dudes that roll up into balls? I've got tons of those things in my garden!

Thanks!

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Pillbugs and sowbugs are both isopoda. Both can be found in your garden, under rocks, stumps, garbage cabs, basically anywhere damp. Pillbugs can roll up into a ball, they are the rolly-pollies. Sowbugs cannot roll into a ball but look basically the same and do the same thing for your tanks. I keep both in my tanks and although they don't keep it mold free they do help reduce it.

As bad as it sounds though...grain mites are the best at keeping a tank mold free, they are gross little critters but I their populations are kept under control they are actually really helpful. Springtails are another option but they are so-so...not to mention you need thousands of the nearly microscopic critters to do the job.

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Springtails also rock if you have smallish predatory inverts to feed 'em to. ;)

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Springtails also rock if you have smallish predatory inverts to feed 'em to. ;)

I have a dubia colony that I just started this month. I'm looking to feed my bearded dragons, and then possibly have some small business? who knows how well this will work.

I haven't had any mold problems to say, some oranges looking like they might have started.

What do "isopods" do to help? I don't know if spring tails are isopods... What exactly do they do...?

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  • 10 months later...

I use primarily springtails... They work great in small enclosures and if you can get a bunch of them growing in a bigger enclosure, they're probably the best mold/fungus/etc control out there.

Agreed. Although I do feel it's better to use them in conjunction with iso's or other cleanup crew.

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