bulking out stag beetle breeding substrate?

[acksparagus]

Just got a breeding pair of Prosopocoilus savagei, but I'm currently a bit short on flake soil (only have like 2lt) so I'm wondering if its ok to pad that out with leaf mulch, white rot wood flakes or something else? should I just order more and stop being impatient?
Also is a 5.8lt Braplast tub large enough? I also have some 20lt Ikea storage containers, but that seems like overkill for a beetle the size of my thumb.

 

[Bugboy3092]

I haven't kept this species but I would say you should be fine to stretch it out with white-rot flakes. You should definitely order more though, you'll need it!

 

[Dynastes]

Just got a breeding pair of Prosopocoilus savagei, but I'm currently a bit short on flake soil (only have like 2lt) so I'm wondering if its ok to pad that out with leaf mulch, white rot wood flakes or something else? should I just order more and stop being impatient?
Also is a 5.8lt Braplast tub large enough? I also have some 20lt Ikea storage containers, but that seems like overkill for a beetle the size of my thumb.

Most wood products, leaves usually cause problems with stags.

 

[HerculesKabuterimon]

I know I am late to this, but you could probably bulk out some flake soil with raised bed garden soil (predominantly derived from "composted forest products" - aka rotted wood). However, for a stag beetle, I wouldn't go more than say a third of the overall mix. In contrast, various Dynastes may be raised successfully on solely raised bed garden soil. While I don't solely rely on this, I like to keep it on hand anyways if even merely for egg laying boxes.