Big Bites Horticultural Charcoal 2L

Description

Give your springtails (and your bio-active set-ups) the substrate they deserve. The Big Bites Springtail Culturing Media is a premium horticultural charcoal base specially designed to ideal conditions for springtail propagation and maintenance.

• Optimal structure & drainage: The charcoal is highly porous, giving springtails space to move, hide and breed — while helping excess moisture drain away and preventing stagnant pockets.

• Micro-fauna friendly: By reducing mold build-ups and hydro-zones prone to anaerobic conditions, this media supports stable, thriving springtail colonies. Springtails are tiny but ultra-important “clean-up” microfauna that help break down decaying matter in bio-active setups.

• Versatile use: Ideal for starting new cultures, refreshing older ones, or layering in terrariums, isopod bins and vivarium’s. Works well under leaf litter, bark, fungus wood, etc.

• Clean & safe: The charcoal is pre-prepared for reptile/invertebrate use (i.e., horticultural grade), reducing the risk of harmful chemicals, dust or heavy metals.

• Compact size: At 750 g (~some volume), it gives you enough media to seed multiple culture containers or refresh mid-sized insect/invertebrate enclosures.

How to use:

1. Rinse or soak lightly if you want to remove any residual dust (optional).

2. Place 1–2 cm of charcoal media at base of culture container (or mix into your substrate/blend).

3. Add springtail culture (or seed population) and lightly mist. Keep humidity moderate, avoid standing water.

4. Maintain by occasionally feeding small bits of vegetable matter, yeast or leaf litter; ensure ventilation and avoid extreme dryness or heavy sogginess. Many hobbyists report springtail cultures require very little maintenance beyond moisture + food / detritus.

5. When refresh is needed (e.g., media appears very compacted, or culture is slowing), remove portion, add fresh charcoal media and re-seed.

Why it matters:
Bio-active systems (for reptiles, amphibians, insects & small inverts) rely on a “clean-up crew” — microfauna like springtails (and isopods) — to consume decay, mold, detritus and help maintain a clean soil/substrate profile. The wrong substrate can smother these microfauna, trap too much moisture, or allow mold/anaerobic pockets to build up. Using a quality charcoal media such as this ensures stronger, healthier colonies and better ecosystem balance.