No, definitely not. I think that’s more a millipede thing? For my isopods, I use my own mix that I just eyeball. I use ~ 50% compost, 40% Exo Terra’s Jungle Earth, 5% Worm castings, 3% dry sphagnum moss, 1% ‘oyster shell’ ground limestone, 1% ground horticultural charcoal (all organic where applicable). I also mix in powdered calcium carbonate.
I vary the ratios a bit from deepest layer of substrate to topmost. I’ve also noticed that deeper substrate levels, paired with a small false bottom, work better for more sensitive species than shallow enclosures.
I avoid mixing wood chips/pellets or rotten wood into the substrate mix, as I’ve had a ton of mold issues with mid to high humidity species when I do that. I just put rotten wood and whatnot on top of the substrate. I also don’t use Eco Earth, but just because they can’t really eat it (there’s nothing wrong with having it), so it doesn’t serve a purpose other than to make the substrate less dense, which I use the Jungle Earth for.
But as part of the setup, you have to have a substantial area for a ‘hydration station,’ as I’ve heard Russ from Aquarimax refer to it. The % of surface area of the isopod enclosure that should be covered by damp sphagnum moss needed will vary according to species.
@baby_yoda , Wally Kern of Supreme Gecko put out a video on Youtube that describes the same method I use when I need to swap in fresh substrate. You can also buy Iso-pads, I think on ebay and maybe etsy, from Cuddly Crawlers. They use veggies to help attract isopods for easy removal or feeding.
I should look and see if there are any previous threads with isopod substrate! But I have to get some sleep. 