Description
Bentonite clay is a natural clay with a fine, soft texture that forms a paste when mixed with water.
Calcium Bentonite Clay is the gold standard for breeding springtails. It keeps the springtail population on the surface for easy harvesting, and is soft enough to allow for the springtails to excavate and create ditches and tunnels for reproduction. It is high in calcium and rich in other trace minerals.
How to Create a Springtail Culture with Clay Powder (45g Batch)
1. Choose a Container
An 8 oz deli cup is ideal for springtail cultures. It holds plenty of springtails and is easy to handle for feeding. Larger containers don’t offer much advantage, but you can experiment to find what works best for you.
2. Measure Clay and Water
Note: This can get dusty, so work outside if possible and avoid inhaling the fine clay dust.
Use 45g of clay powder and mix it with 100ml of water. This ratio creates a suitable consistency for the culture. This should be enough for two cultures.
3. Mix the Clay and Water
Stir the 45g of clay and 100ml of water with a small stick (or your finger) until it forms a damp, mud-like paste. It should not be watery. Alternatively, let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight to allow the water to absorb evenly.
4. Spread the Clay
Spread the clay mixture evenly across the bottom and up the sides of the container. This maximizes the surface area, giving your springtails more space to thrive.
5. Add Springtails
Transfer springtails from an existing culture to the new clay setup. If using a charcoal culture, flood it with water, then gently blow the floating springtails into a large container using a straw. Carefully move them to the new clay culture to avoid losing any.
6. Feed the Springtails
Springtails feed on molds and fungi that grow on foods like rice, mushrooms, oats, or fish flakes. To keep it simple and reduce the risk of mites, use plain active dry yeast (available at any grocery store). Start with a small pinch of yeast. Check weekly and add more only when needed, as overfeeding can produce excess CO2 and harm the culture.
Your springtail culture is now ready to grow!
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