Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am currently using a mix of peat moss and top soil, but it seems like I have to use new soil after every hatch to get the same hatch.....in other words I don't reuse the medium more than once. Does anyone know of a medium that works better i.e. better hatches and lasts longer? Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Justin
stk18119@loki.stockton.edu

D.auratus
D.leucomelas
D.tinctorius (lorenzo, yellowback, citro, pb, oyopock,etc.)
D.azureus
D.ventrimaculatus (yellow/gold)
D.pumilio (blue jeans, solid red)
P.aurotaenia (narrow bands/green)
P.bicolor
E.tricolor (Santa Isabel)
H. leucophyllata
P. hypochondrialis azurea
P. resinfictrix
etc.......

I think some people use vermiculite, but i don't know because i don't actually breed crickets.
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 imitators(looking for sens and horn line frogs)
0.0.2 Azureus
0.0.3 green pumilio(On waiting list that puts the waiting in waiting list )

I have used vermiculite and jungle earth. I have found that using (for me at least) the jungle earth works well enough.

I've had the best results using a 50% peatmoss/play sand mixture. I've been using this for about a year and a half and don't change it to often. I do let it sit and dry out for a month or so since I cycle about 4-5 containers. I have tried straight peat moss, vermiculite, and sand and by far this worked the best for me. The vermiculite was a mess and had low hatch, sand works good but drys out to fast. I do nuke the mixture in the microwave when I first make it due to a hatch of white worms once.(although they didn't hurt the cricket hatch, they just looked gross)

This is a little off topic but how hard is it to breed crickets? Is it as easy as FF's?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

It's not as easy as fruit flys but it's by no means difficult. All you need are adults, something they can lay the eggs in, and keep them warm (80-85 degrees). You just have to get use to the noise.

I use a small chunk of that expanding coco fiber stuff, I hydrate it and put it in with the crix in a small Gladware container then set the eggs by the light buld over the leopard gex tank and have hatched out plenty of pinheads with this method.I just pitch it when the egg have hatched.
Mark W.