Making Easy to Maintain Isopod Bins and Care

I've been keeping isopods for a few years now, but I haven't showcased them on the channel quite like this. That's partly because I usually just use them as part of the cleanup crew, but also because I was trying to figure out how to maintain a proper Rubber Ducky colony.
I've wanted to make a video like this for years and now was finally the time. Jaden randomly sent me a bunch of isopods (I didn't ask for them, nor did he ask me to make a video about them) which meant I had to make a bunch of new colonies. Since I was doing it anyway, I felt that this could be a great way to illustrate how I successfully keep isopods in current day.
As always, keep in mind that this is what works for me and what I'm keeping. I may have downplayed it slightly, but care for each species is specific, even if it's usually just about how wet their home is. Either way, research and considerations should be made accordingly.
Casuarina Cones provided by Fritz Aquatics w/ Paid Promotion
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Isopods provided by Featured Creatures
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Isopod Substrate Mix
½ Part Charcoal
1 Part Coco Chips
½ Part Coco Fiber
1 Part Orchid Bark
½ Part Sand
1 Part Sphagnum Moss
3 Parts Topsoil
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[@SerpaDesign]

MANY of you have been requesting more isopod content for awhile. Hopefully this is what you had in mind. I've been meaning to do something like this for years and now seemed like a great time to do it. I can't wait to show you more about this soon because I'm working on some big things for them in the new animal room. Stay tuned! Thanks for watching and have a great weekend SerpaSquad!

[@CRaXII]

Not really awhile. I've been waiting for 3years!!! Hahaha

[@hmfiona123]

@@CRaXII Same

[@OniricTV]

I thought about the isopods for cleaning the terrarium of my Achatina Snail! But if you have any other ideas about it, I'd be happy to read! Thank you!

[@tavinprice2310]

How do I know which isopods to use for which tank and which isopods are safe for various reptiles

[@verilliumfunk4886]

I literally made a temporary bin last night and I needed this! your timing couldn’t be better!!!

[@AntScapes1]

I run a store and sell around 40/50 species of isopods alone, I would definitely advise on giving the isopods available calcium in the soil, like egg shells or adding calcium carbonate! Another great video Tanner ❤

[@joeschraer7916]

He added the Bone stuff for calcium

[@AntScapes1]

@@joeschraer7916 he did! But I mean generally into the soil mix, as they eat the soil, or particles within, it’ll naturally be digested by them 😄

[@vituperation]

Same. I use whatever leftover calcium carbonate from dusting my herps' food and mix it into a primarily peat moss substrate. Also, I noticed using leftover or "stale" fish food does wonders for growing and sustaining large colonies, esp. of _Porcellio Laevis, Porcellionides Pruinosis,_ and _Porcellio Scaber_ - particularly the former two species which will eat almost anything organic. They give dermestid beetles a run for their money.

[@RouRa9]

Do you think it's a bad idea to mix species together? :)

[@kaylinnance7098]

If you don't want to mix your own substrate you can purchase substrates too that have calcium mixed in if you don't want to use cuttlebone, etc.

[@henrystp]

It’s like you said, Tanner. Roley poleys instill a child-like wonder in us. Thank you for this video!

[@sourcererseven3858]

for hot-gluing the screen over the holes: silicone mats are great for squishing down the glue as they don't stick to it and are quite heat-resistant. I use a mat made for baking.

[@rhondaborders3452]

That's a good idea to avoid burns.

[@LeTushie]

A little over two years ago I put together a terrarium in a gallon-sized glass jar turned on its side. I gathered advice here for a couple weeks beforehand, and gathered all my ingredients I guess from the back yard. I keep it on my kitchen counter, near a window, so the plants get a little sunlight in the evening. At first, it wasn’t doing great, so I added 13 isopods, also from the back yard, and added a couple little wood sorrels ☘️, and for the next two years I’ve been basically watching my little ecosystem live. I’ve seen countless batches of baby isopods, and I’ve trimmed back the plants that overrun the thing every once in a while. The beetle has since died, but I’ve seen a worm and mushrooms pop up regularly. I have one random isopod, I’ve named Gerald, which is half black and half white, and I’ve been watching it interacting in there for a bit over a year now. Didn’t even know they could live that long!Every few months I give them a small organic purple carrot (they prefer it to orange or non-organic), but I think the last time I used one way too big. In the last couple months or so, this has been the slowest they’ve eaten a carrot, I’ve watched part of it like slowly deflate almost, the sorrels are taking longer to bounce back from the last trim, and the soil looks muddier than ever. I guess I’m glad this video is up because it’s on Monday’s agenda to get the little guys sorted out because I can’t stand to see a jar of bugs just slowly get extinguished in front of me. I guess it’s somewhat of a childhood dream to have pet rollie pollies. I think the plan moving forward is to start feeding leaf litter (what they started with is long gone), maybe throw in a new piece of bark, and add some ventilation…I guess I figured before that they were giving out enough Co2 to keep the plants going and vice versa…anyway, wish me luck, and thanks again ❤

[@VicRodriguez2]

Any updates on this would be appreciated edit: awesome job btw

[@nancymarroquin1762]

How is it going? I want to set up my own like yours!

[@CobraCreates]

I love my isopods! I have a colony of zebras and a colony of yellow spotted (and a wild type colony that lives with my gargoyle gecko). They're so cute and so easy to take care of. The yellow spotted isopods live in a terrarium that I made to look like a bamboo forest, so they look like giant bugs wandering the trees. The only reason I don't have more colonies is because of space. I'm so jealous of your new animal room, I look forward to how you fill it in :)

[@sarahwatts7152]

That sounds like a cool setup!

[@thatsleepybirb]

These little guys are great. I used to go in my garden and let em walk on my hand sometimes. Also, in Dutch, they’re called “Pissebed” which, if you mix it up a bit to “Pisse bed” it’s roughly translates to “Pee bed” lol

[@carloslucena8584]

Man, I wish I was an isopod only to live in one of those boxes made by you. I love how much you care about every detail.

[@vampireslayer3821]

Underrated comment

[@zeejacks8220]

tanner you have amazing timing, i have just been looking into caring for some simpler to maintain pets like isopods or jumping spiders! having you as a guide makes me feel so much more confident

[@FallonZoey]

I recently got 2 jumping spiders and I am loving them. Make the plunge, you'll enjoy them so much!!

[@stiffk666]

Jumping spiders are so damn cute. So cute that there's a lady that keeps the ones that have passed in tiny bottles on a shelf. Tbh they do still look so cute! Too sad for me but each to their own.

[@vituperation]

I will also advocate for isopods. They're easy to care for and you can get some truly beautiful species and strains. My favorite is probably the _porcellio haasi_ or the "lava" _porcellio scaber_. I also have magnolia trees all around where I live so right about now is when I fill bags with their leaves. Fall is the perfect time to start a colony 😃 Also, despite usually being associated with eating leaf litter, most isopods will eat pretty much anything even remotely food-like. I give mine leftover fish food.

[@marybillups8901]

I’m 57 years old, & I used to have isopods & jumping spiders in 20 gallon aquariums - 1 each, when I was a teenager, in the 1980s! I didn’t know anyone else who did that. Everyone that knew I had those, thought I was super weird.

[@CreepyKiller0202]

I’m glad I found this I’m getting a beardie and wanted to breed some so knowing how to make sure they are happy and will continue breeding in a terrarium so I have a cleanup crew.

[@Letycs]

I've always wanted this kind of information, there's a large colony that lives in the brick pillar next to my house. When I take my dogs out at night I watch them do their thing and love to see the ity bity babies. They do look less flat like these here and more rounded though.

[@Cyberdragunz]

I was splitting some firewood yesterday and some of the bark was just alive with isopods and centipedes. I love them.

[@thejuanderful]

There's two groups of isopods, sow bugs and pill bugs. The flatter ones are the sow bugs and they don't form a complete ball like the pill bugs do. People often use the names interchangeably. There's also a lot of species variation within these two groups. If you're curious you can post a picture on reddit and identify which species. Often wild colonies have many species living together.

[@Letycs]

@@thejuanderful Thanks for the clarification! What I've got are definitely pill bugs that roll up, not flat sows with tail appendages like he has. Nifty to know.

[@arsonsnail]

sounds like either armadillidium vulgare or armadillidium nasatum!

[@empressakitla7544]

We always called them rollie-pollies. Though, once I discovered that more than the wild gray Armadillidiums exist, my dad decided that Porcellios are called flatty-splattys. I started with Zebras and eventually got Dairy Cows and now have A. nasatum “peach”. One day I’d love to get a hold of some Rubber Duckies. You’re so right. Telling people that there’s such a wide variety of isopods opens up some interesting conversations. Thanks for the video! It helped me to recognize some areas I can improve in with my isopod care.

[@erinverity6542]

My 7-year-old daughter absolutely loves roll pollies and I am excited to see they can be kept. This is a great first pet with help. Thank you for the video!

[@ProximaCentauri88]

FINALLY! I miss your isopods Tanner! You're the person wo introduced me to isopods through your channel. Thanks a lot for this video! I'm excited for more.

[@TheSeptemberRose]

Me too!!!! It's his fault I got into isopods!😆

[@angei8668]

I've been waiting for a new video about your Isopods. 😍✨Me and my friend have gone through all your old videos from you like a million times. Proud to say that all my darlings are now thriving, they been alive and well two whole years. Thank you so much, it's people like you who help others find their passion.

[@mfhex1398]

Putting a lot of thought and care into those often overlooked little fellas, just awesome imho :) Looks like they are living their best life!

[@OniricTV]

Last week I started a Panda King colony and you make the video with perfect timing! Thanks SerpaDesign! From a great follower of yours!

[@LA-cc6sy]

It's so awesome seeing your progression with production quality. This is a FANTASTIC video tutorial.

[@HerpilyDerp86]

I'd really love to see you do a woodland floor design but with an ant colony in. Your asthetic design would be amazing with an active colony of woodcutters for example

[@joylperinchery2460]

me too!

[@parmerapps69]

Can anyone else totally see 8:39 becoming a GIF? It's niche, but we're a niche Serpasquad. . . 😅 Anyways, looks like my next project is keeping Isopods. It excites me to see you establishing so many long-term vivarium supply sources, Tanner. I get the sense that big things lie up ahead!

[@TheSeptemberRose]

THE ISOPOD GOLD!

[@jman2u50]

Yay!! I’m happy there is now a dedicated isopod video!!! There are so many cool varieties out there!! Enjoy your isopod journey!

[@benjy8148]

Over here in the uk the common type are called 'woodlice'. I'm sure there are are more varieties but another more common type are Pill Woodlice, which roll up into a perfect ball when threatened. My grandfather (who was scottish) used to call woodlice 'pigs', which was the old collective term for them here. They always reminded me of the little underground beetle enemies from the Mario games!

[@bea6564]

Porcellio Scaber translates to something like Rough Pig!

[@jmarshal]

This is great! I just got my first pods and made them a little home and I’m hoping they will be happy! They’re mostly for terrariums but I’ve always loved isopods so I’m happy just to have them hanging about. Thanks for the informative video 😊

[@beverlyjensen443]

I love to watch your teachings. You're so knowledgeable and yet so calm. That you've recently shared personal info on yourself just added to how much I respect you. Thank you so much!!!

[@DeLion_1612]

Your bioactive setup has been perfect for my Armadilidium gestroi, and they’ve finally started breeding. Also, in the UK we call them woodlice

[@plantpodpalace]

This is the video I needed when I started keeping isopods. Thorough with good explanations. I would’ve been able to skip so much trial and error if I’d used this guide from the beginning.

[@lnaru]

That duck isopod looks so cute

[@rinaturalist]

Great timing! I’m was going to start an isopod bin just this weekend. Great video as always, isopods are awesome!

[@opengreen6022]

Just woke up and this just made my day

[@hoofyrider]

Wow what perfect timing! I just went to the Tucson reptile expo yesterday and got some orange koi and clown isopods I wanted to make a colony for. This will help a lot. Your videos are the best!

[@artzlonga7934]

I love isopods and I'm glad you posted about them. Well done 🙃

[@michaelmelo8075]

Hello Tanner, this vivarium hobby has sent me in many directions. I originally started because I had orchids. Then I wanted a living creature so I went with dart frogs, I thought they where interesting but never saw them offered as pets once I knew you could keep them my hobby life has exploded plants, pods, tanks never a dull moment thanks for helping me with this journey.

[@rozlynlikesllamas]

That’s so funny that you’re posting this because I have watched your channel for so long and I have just got isopods! Feels perfect timing

[@Cyberdragunz]

I keep thinking I should make an isopod terrarium. They're abundant around here, and the local species seems quite hardy, being active right up until winter sets in. I've seen them moving around as early as while the last of the spring snow is on the ground, and as late as early december, when pretty much all other arthropods have already been long dormant for the winter.

[@viperfarmer]

Thanks for the detailed information! I broadened my horizons about caring for these creatures.

[@sjldfilms5126]

Tanner, you inspire me! Thank you so much. Grew up calling them Rollie Pollies but I call them wood lice, arthropods and cute.

[@jerrydease1459]

And coincidentally I’m upgrading all my isopod bins today! 🤣🙀🙌🏽🎉 I Love ‘em! Sometimes you can feel like you’ve neglected animals, but with these? They’re Always so Busy! They have a great Work Ethic.😎🤓🧐 Wish I could Hire Them All, lol! 😊

[@ArtisticNightmares]

My mother was genuinely freaked out by them till i showed her the rubber duckys lol there just too freaking cute!!! tanner hope your well and to all the bug peeps on here cheers yall

[@gwynethorr7879]

YESSS isopod content!! This was actually how I originally found your channel, super excited :)

[@chaibee3788]

Absolutely love these educational videos! You're really good at explaining the "why" parts for each element of a project. It makes it much easier to adapt the knowledge for what you need

[@MrSwifty21]

Hey Tanner, life hack for drilling holes in plastic. After the pilot bit has punched a hole, put your drill in reverse. The hole saw then kind of melts through the plastic instead. This results in MUCH less burrs to clean up, just a clump of melted plastic on the edge that easily snaps off - you're welcome :)

[@loriw2661]

Nice!

[@vituperation]

5:45 but thank you! I didn't know about this trick and it will definitely make my life easier.

[@louissamuelrajukusume370]

Was waiting for this

[@kaylanorberg9239]

I always wanted to keep isopods, I think they're really cute, and I only learned that people do that a few months ago. Went to the backyard and found some for the best price, free, set up a small terrarium that basically resemble where I found them. I did a decent job cause now I have two or three times as many as much as I started with and will need to make a bigger home for them. Thank you, this has been very helpful.

[@xTwoZe]

Love your videos man! Please keep making content for all to enjoy!

[@meghannygren7920]

I enjoy the logical presentation of container options- a great way to learn.

[@AquariumsandTerrariums]

just what I needed this morning serpa vid hell ye

[@ingeniouspixie]

Thanks Tanner! I've kept pods for a few years but got loads of helpful suggestions to get even better! I will be referring back to this one. 👍

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

Thanks so much Tanner! I have struggled with these outside of the terrariums. This video really helps!

[@arla.s720]

thanks serp! Allways wanting us to keep our terrirums as amazing as possible 🥰

[@korbankyler3174]

Hi I’m a 14 year old I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and now my house is full of tararems and aquariums

[@TheMrDarius]

You are so well versed when it comes to aquariums, terrariums, and just giving any small creature a home to thrive in. You sir are a biological genius.

[@chillausmc]

Absolutely wonderful lil guys! Great video! I have been on the look out for interesting species in the south since the first video you posted.

[@DobertCe]

Those isopod bins look so good. I can bet that they also smell beautifully like forest. I also like the idea of waterproof bins with a gasket. I sawed few bucks on my containers only to find that the lid is not secure enough and i have occasional isopods roaing on the floor.

[@UmamiPapi]

I just started my first two bins: Zebras and Gestroi largely inspired and informed by you. God bless you and thanks! ❤

[@TechNinjaSigma]

Isopods seem to be rising in popularity, it's pretty nice! Also, Rubber Ducky Gang!

[@hoperules8874]

❤🎉

[@valariecarey2716]

They are beautiful!!! I already have the springtail colonies thriving super Thanks to your video. Thanks for sharing!

[@westkoastdogg6680]

They are like the cows of the insect world

[@TheSeptemberRose]

YAY! Isopods!!!! After watching this video, I realize that I bother my isopods too much. I feed them almost every day and mist them. I have them in a couple of glass tanks with mesh lids meant for reptiles. I do block off part of the lids though to hold in moisture and I installed hygrometers because last year I lost 2 colonies due to a very dry winter. Thank you Tanner for all your valuable info!!!!!!!!

[@rodofiron100]

Thanks tanner, I have been trying over and over to get a small colonel started, all to no avail. Will try this recipe and see if it works better.

[@maxinebodden193]

thanks for the educa. I did not know at all. I am from the Caribbean so we call them "insects" in the Caribbean, we get rid of insects. wow. everything is really here on earth for a reason.

[@bananafloat27]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, I have janky shoebox set ups right now for my Cubaris marina and my japanese magic potions that I really want to upgrade and this is a perfect guide to building a better environment for them.

[@lizzw4216]

They have so many different kinds, I love looking at all of them

[@chuezo8225]

I live for this content. The isopods are such interesting little creatures. I think they are so cute. I love the rubber duckies. 🥰

[@mindfulmadeline]

Omg they are so cute!!! I love the rubber duckies sooo much!! Thanks for this video very much. BTW we called them Rollie Pollies growing up. No clue how thats supposed to be spelled.

[@rhondaborders3452]

That's what we called them & how we spelled it 😄

[@cathlinejohnson1856]

Re the isopods-As a child in the 70s/80s we called them roly-polies and had little roly-poly “farms” lol We loved them!

[@melsexotics]

Great video! I haven't been having much luck with isopods lately, so I'll be trying again with new bins. This info will definitely help. Many thanks!

[@SanosukeSagara18]

Thanks for the information. I've watched a lot of vids and talked to a lot of isopod owners already but this vid gave me some good info

[@michaels5705]

Thanks, Tanner. You got me started with isopods and I have 5 fairly busy shoe box sized enclosures. Now it looks like an upgrade is in order. As it has gone so far, when they get too many, I have a relationship with a pet store that will grant me store credit to the tune of 1/2 of the price they will charge. My isopods sometimes present a bit of a challenge when it comes to getting rid of their 'processed botanicals' and over digested substrate and installing new substrate. I'd love for you to make a video on that kind of isopod container maintenance when you get a minute. On a separate note: I've had people reply pretending to be you and trying to defraud me. You might at a note to your show more, that you well never try to sell people stuff or solicit donations with replies to posts.

[@toddwaters7368]

One tip, I'll add for the ventilation holes, is that if you're trying to make things look REALLY clean, you can use a 2" diameter whole saw to cut your material, then buy 2" diameter mesh screen vents with tabs. For me, fungus gnats are my main pest, and so I have to do a little extra work to add a finer mesh circle to the vent, but it's not too hard.

[@judithbullard6676]

Excellent video, very informative and well done. Thank you.

[@austrailalanmtb7557]

Great breakdown of your colonies. I have started a few terrariums and am looking to ad some isopods. This will deffinitely get me started.

[@nindr4495]

I love the Rubber Ducky Isopods! they're so cute!

[@danielleb.7055]

I'm surprised it took you this long to make another isopod video but soo glad you did!

[@charlie_moorcroft]

Great explanation and information

[@thejungledrake]

New isopod content? Blessed ✨

[@davidrogers6694]

Always a pleasure watching and learning from you and your videos bubba thank you

[@owormiv]

Maybe it’s a pill millipede or as I like to call them pillipedes! They are stout millipedes that look a lot like isopods. Could be what you have!

[@AntScapes1]

Awesome video! Great knowledge for starters too, leaving them alone though is the number 1 thing to take into account. I would love to see you make a tank for an ant colony or species. I just made a video on isopods too recently and I love comparing what other people do 😄

[@FallonZoey]

Tanner, your voice made for voice overs. Very soothing, matter-of-fact tone. Thanks for the info.

[@bobbiec2829]

Most of my isopods LOVE magnolia seed pods 🙂 I also use oyster shells (made for chickens) instead of cuttle bone. This was recommended to me by a trusted isopod breeder. I definitely agree with giving a bigger, deeper bin...I need to do this myself 😁

[@callumbreen6439]

I have 5 normal looking grey ones in a jar how do I take care of them

[@IlseMulAuthor]

Thanks for another very informative video! I found it really interesting. I might experiment sometime in the future with isopods. Maybe I'll just start with some isopods from my own garden. I don't have any terrariums with animals so far, so the garden isopods can't do any harm there. 😁 I've got loads of springtails, so that's an easy food supply for them. Thanks for giving us a new experiment idea to think about and play with!

[@Belemonguin]

I have two small colonies that I keep in glass jars, like those that are advertised for keeping goldfish. I put some live moss for them and a small piece of wood. Now it is both a functioning terrarium and a neat shelf decoration.

[@kjirstenboucher9682]

Great information! Thank you , Tanner.😊👍

[@thatone7793]

I miss keeping bioactive species so much! It's been four years since I had to rehome mine because of a move into a family member's home who hates anything with more than four legs (and less than two naturally). I can't wait until I have my own place again. I'll be right with you on having so many interesting species to enjoy.

[@elizehugo9408]

I have a huuuggee collony in my compost bin and I love watching them whenever I open it up. In Tamania, Australia we called them slaters, or roley polies haha

[@Aiter918]

I would definitely recommend going to featured creatures for your isopods. They are great to work with.

[@MsMayonaise]

I always found Isopods very cute

[@IRISnGEN]

The Salamanders love to play with the roly poly ones

[@liamisresponsible]

Awesome Man! Isopods are radical!

[@kaylinnance7098]

Thank you for this! This couldn't have dropped for a better time for me lol! I just finished setting up two bioactive enclosures, one for my Nicaraguan Dwarf Boa and one for my tropical tarantula species (using springtails in both but isopods only in my boa enclosure), and I wanted isopods in my boa enclosure but the ones I purchased arrived mostly dead, so I'd like to raise more! Thank you, thank you :)

[@jordane2036]

Awesome video. Very helpful! Side note- You have a very calming voice!

[@JasonNaas]

I just watched a whole video about making a roly poly farm, and I'm fascinated.

[@MrWildFishing]

Brother, you are so good. You can support everything👍

[@Tensillygeese]

Thanks for talkin abt this in ur newest video never even seen this video I love isopods sm!!

[@amypalladino2584]

Great video Tanner! I need to upgrade my bins soon. I only have 2 species right now in small bins but as you say I find them harder to maintain. My substrate cpuld use an overhaul as well. I'll be getting some 5 gallon bins to use in the future

[@MrMush78]

Here in the uk we call them Woodlice 👍 great video again my friend 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@moonbasket]

So cool! Thanks for the instructions! I may make a bin of my own.

[@turtlejeepjen314]

ROLLY-POLLIES!! I had a huge colony for over a year; I also raised them to feed my frogs and especially my toads- they REALLY loved them!! I ended up giving them to a fellow Herpetologist, who ALSO loved them!! I was spending WAY WAY to much time with my isopods- I was/am SO ADDICTED to them that I literally would spend way to many hours just observing them, working with their set-ups, & playing with them & sorting out my favorites!! …..(I shouldn’t be watching this…. relapse happening…!!🙂🙂❤️)

[@viperluciano6328]

Hello.a super thanks for this video helps me alot i'm looking in to keeping some isopods agian.keep up the good work

[@Crystalspets]

Thank you so much for sharing this video I am getting into the isopods collection my self I have zerba isopods collection giant canyon and the wild ones from outside

[@ateoutdoors]

Ah, the video I've needed for years. Maybe I won't fail my next colony. Lol

[@AlyyGold]

isopods are just neat!