DIY wood substrate composter

K

Kevinswither

Pupa
Is there any invention that can make substrate in a few days to weeks as opposed to months? I heard one time of a composter like machine that ferments substrate in a matter of hours.

 
Maybe there is, but you'll have to know that the price for such utility will most likely be very expensive! Fermentation is a process that requires time and patience as it is part of decomposition. You can shorten the time by increasing the temperature, or you can just ferment substrate at a smaller quantity. Keep in mind that the reason behind making fermented flake soil is to achieve the level of decay that is desired by the beetle larvae. Sure you might be able to complete fermentation in a shorter timespan if you were to use some sort of an utility, but you may not be able to achieve the desired level of decay. The desired level of decay can be achieved by adding more moisture or yeast to further ferment the already fermented substrate. You have to allow nature to run its course, which to me is part of the enjoyment of keeping and breeding beetles.

 
I'm still working on trying to get a batch to ferment correctly.. I feel it isn't working quite like I think it should be. I have two batches in 5 gallon buckets, not all the way full. Not producing as much heat as I thought they would.

 
Signs of fermentation include sweet and slightly sour aroma (kind of like wine), and heat (condensation indicates heat even if you couldn't feel it). As long as the ratio of your preparations was correct (water, flour or wheat bran, yeast, and saw dust), your substrate would ferment. Continue to mix the substrate daily to evenly distribute heat and moisture to avoid mildew and anaerobic conditions within the substrate.

 
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What is your ratio that you would do? For every pound of moist sawdust I put 1 cup of flour and sprinkle some yeast. I seem to have gotten this to begin working a couple months ago, but had to throw the batches out due to flies (as this was prior to making ventilated screen lids). However, some seemed to be working and others not. I had five buckets I was experimenting with. They were getting that wine smell though. Could this possibly be due to weather in my area being cold that it's not working so well?

 
I just followed the instructions provided in the forum about making fermented flake soil with traeger oak pellets. Fermentation will take longer when the temperature is lower so it'll take you a while now that it's winter, but it's still occurring, just at a slower rate.

 
DynastinaeLucanidae said:
I just followed the instructions provided in the forum about making fermented flake soil with traeger oak pellets. Fermentation will take longer when the temperature is lower so it'll take you a while now that it's winter, but it's still occurring, just at a slower rate.
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Does it HAVE to be Traeger Oak Pellets or just hardwood pellets work the same? I think I may not be adding enough yeast. I just misted it a little today and added a little more yeast and flour..thinking it may help or I might just mess it up. We shall see, it's all an experiment really

 
Yup, $500 is pretty expensive! You'd have to breed countless species of beetles and dedicate your time in order to make that amount back, let alone the spendings on other preparations as well as ordering exotic species as well!

 
I do hear of a bag (breathable) that is used for brewing substrate. It was from one post that I don't recall quite well. Would heating cables speed up the process a bit?

 
I think I know what you're talking about. I've seen similar bags from a beetle breeder on YouTube who uses those kind of bags to ferment his substrate. You could try it out, but do beware of fire hazard as overexposure to heating cables may set the bags ablaze. Also be mindful of any toxic release while heating the bags, which can be avoided if you purchased bags made from non-toxic materials.

 
I hope this isn't a dumb question, but if I were to make a bag of this substrate using the oak pellets is that all I would need to raise my larva?

 
Basically! I hear of people using only fermented oak pellets to raise some rhinoceros beetle species. Some people add leaves, but it's not always necessary.

 
^Like what Ratmosphere said. Other factors to take in to consideration are the level of decay of your substrate since larvae of different species have their own preference, and sometimes some rhino species may require protein supplement (dog food pellet).

 
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