Step by step set-ups
Culture springtails on charcoal
Fill a bin with rinsed charcoal, add a little water and seed it. Harvest by lifting pieces or by pouring, because springtails float.
Set up
- Use lump charcoal or horticultural charcoal, which is safe for springtails. NEHERP specifies organic, rinsed, medium or fine grade charcoal.
- Springtails US adds two inches of charcoal and one inch of water to a sealed bin. NEHERP fills a 6 quart bin about halfway with charcoal and adds a quarter to half an inch of water.
- Add springtails. From another charcoal culture you can pour the whole small culture in, or add water so the springtails float and pour them out.
- Optionally add a small vent with ultrafine mesh glued over it, or open the culture regularly for fresh air.
Care and harvest
Maintain the water level and feed every 3 to 7 days. Make sure all food is eaten between feedings, and do not feed so much that it rots or molds.
To harvest, pick up pieces of charcoal with tongs and tap the springtails off where they are needed. You can also add extra water and pour it, because springtails float and ride the water.
Keep reading
Species in this guide
- Folsomia candida Common White Springtail A pale, eyeless springtail with a long jumping organ. It is the standard laboratory species for soil toxicity tests and the most common starter culture for bioactive tanks.
- Coecobrya tenebricosa Tropical Pink Springtail The Tropical Pink and Tropical White springtail of the hobby, a pale, fast-breeding species long sold under the wrong name Sinella curviseta.
- Start your first springtail culture
- Culture springtails on clay
- What to feed springtails and why not moldy rice
If something goes wrong
Sources for this guide
- 1
Springtail Charcoal Care Guide
Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at Materials Required; Setup Instructions; Care and Harvesting.
- 2
Springtail Care & Breeding Information
New England Herpetoculture
Link works · Retailer
Cited at Ingredients For A Springtail Breeder Culture; Setting Up A Breeding Culture.
- 3
Calcium Clay Springtail Cultures FAQ and Care
Frog and Frond
Link works · Retailer
Cited at What is the advantage of clay springtail cultures.
Reviewed Oct 22, 2026