I googeled this like ..... 20 minutes ago ..... and now you posted a video on it?! Are you watching me? The setup looks beautiful. You’re a big inspiration!
I have an 8 month old palmetto corn snake and was looking for something like this. Thank you for posting, I love my little guy and want him to have the best home possible ❤
Wow, I was a bit concerned in the beginning with the whole silicon faux pas but you ultimately created a terrific little bioactive enclosure. Hats off to you and thanks for sharing this successful effort. You have inspired me to do attempt this for my lavender corn snake Cupcake.
I am currently in the process of building a bioactive tank for my corn snake when he gets bigger, after a success with my crested gecko tank. You could use beneficial fungi and/or bacteria. They make a great alternative custodian crew for the arthropods, and don’t need high humidity as much (if you have low RH animals like corn snakes and beardies like I also do-always have a decently high RH for cresties!). Awesome video as always
higher humidity is not a problem as long as it's warm enough. mine is in an enclosure that was over 70% for several month. does not bother them, as long as it doesn't get too cold.
I have been keeping and breeding corns and many other snakes for a little over 40 years and I have found and others like me that this environment is too humid and wet to keep many colubrid's in like corn snakes because they naturally occur in forest and plains type enviroments where the humidity is about 40 to 50 percent anything above this can and does cause blisters I use fake their virtually impossible to destroy. and aquarium safe silicone like GE silicone 2 to keep them in place.
I always look forward to your uploads! Wonderful content this week! I myself have bioactive enclosures for my boa and my ball pythons and they love it!
Some tips: * Get a different substrate: I recommend arcadia earthmix arid if you can get your hands on it. * Instead of having a very moist substrate everywhere, have spots with pieces of cork bark, under which you place sphagnum moss, and just keep those areas moist. * I have an exo terra which does have quite a good vent system, so the humidity in my viv doesn't raise that much, but I spray mine down with a light mist every couple of days and get under those bits of cork bark. This helps maintain the isopods and springtails but the overall, the enclosure doesn't get really damp so the risk of scale rot and respiratory issues is minimised. *Read the book "the art of keeping snakes by Phillippe de Vosjoli. *Leave the enclosure to settle for a few weeks before adding your corn snake back in.
@@cheshire8780 What did you do for it? Did you add a drainage layer? How’s the humidity? Did you add Isopods? How is the maintenance? Sorry for all the questions, I’m thinking about doing a bio active corn snake terrarium so I’m looking for advice.
@@tuckrex2038 I did it both because I like how decorative they are but also to get a chance to observe more natural behaviors by mimicking my snakes natural environment. I added a drainage layer and my humidity is flexible between the 40-70%. I haven’t added isopods/springtails yet but am planning on it as they help with cleaning/maintaining the tank’s environment🙂
Aw I just started watching you and I have a snow corn snake named Blossom 😊 she’s currently in a large/tall tub while she’s still little until I save up for a big glass tank, and I definitely want to go bioactive when I upgrade her! Thanks for the awesome video!!
Came out great!!! I just did my bts bioactive today. I plan on getting a corn snake next and couldn’t figure out with the low humidity how to make it work, so I’m so stoked to see this! Thank you! 💞
I put springtails in my orchid pots. And i haven't watered my orchids for over a year, and just found live springtails in the water dish of my corn snake. So i think they can tolerate a dry environment pretty well. My corn snake is not in a bioactive, he is on hemp with fake plants. So i think the springtails going to the waterdish was there last option to not die, lol.
I realize their local is quite large, but it is in humid areas for the most part. As for in captivity, why is it then that they spend so much time in their wet hides and all come out as soon as they are misted, with hot water. Just because something is a common belief does not make it true. And just because they can live with low humidity does not mean they like it or it is good for them. If you truly want the best for your animals then research where they come from and try to replicate that as best as possible. I have kept reptiles for most of my life (50yrs) and found that keeping them in a set up as close to their natural environment as possible is the best way to go.
If it's done this way, there will be a lot of water saturating most of the soil. It'll be like mud, because those plants require a decent amount of watering. You should always use a drainage layer when you're using live plants.
awesome get some Isopods as well for in there and also I would do more leaf litter aswell.......... to each their own though great vid. I hope you got a caulk gun for next time. they are cheap. I love Joshs Frogs they are awesome.
Bloom is such a cutie!! Is there any way you could please break down every item needed to set up from Josh's Frogs? I am upgrading my girl Marley's enclosure and this is a great tutorial.
I don’t have any experience with keeping live plants in an enclosure, although 65-75% humidity is good for corns. They come from a humid region. Just make sure the surface of the substrate isn’t too wet. Snakes tend to destroy live plants, though.
Could you make more corn snake videos pls? Maybe talk more about heat lamps vs heat pads for them and other tips :) ♥️ I got my first corn snake a couple weeks ago and I’m trying to decide what to do with her future terrarium.
They actually come from all over! A lot of places have varying humidity from high to low. Their requirement in captivity is low, but I do recommend spiking it around shed time!
@@reptiliangarden I used to think the same thing. But while they can tolerate low humidity, they benefit from humidity between 60-70%. The states they come from have a high average humidity. The website reptifiles has more information.
In my experience, just handle often and make sure when u reach for them always show them your hand and pick up far enough from the head that they wont panic. The more you interact with snake, the more they warm up to you. Even go in their enclosure and just more stuff around occasionally, get them used to your hands being in and around them a lot. Basically exposure therapy lol
God I searching like hours for the Terrarium sice for a men cornsnake but everyone says something else like: 120x60x120 or 12x60x60. Can someone pls help
Got a question for you. I'd really love to build one of these for my corn but he seems much more partial to heating pads rather than lamps. Would that work? Thank you!
in my experience, for animals that prefer belly heat, putting some dark rocks or tiles (slate works especially well) underneath a heat lamp, DHP, or halogen is great! it's what i do for my ball python and she comes out nearly every night to bask on the rocks that have gotten all warmed up
You really could do with putting a drainage layer in :S I'm looking into making my corn a bio tank as I've not long done it for my cresties, want to do it with all of my reps
I love the tree hide. It all looks really good. I was woundering. Do corn snakes move around alot? I have a Ball Python and the only time he moves is at night. So I was thinking about get another snake that I could watch more. Thanks.
They come from a lot of different places in the US with fluctuating temps. They do not require a high humidity, but they definitely need a bit of an increase before they shed.
Corn snakes are hardy snakes and tolerate low to moderate humidity, but benefit from humidity between 65-75%, measured by a digital hygrometer. As you mentioned, they’re native to areas with high humidity. A humid hide is also beneficial.
Great Video, I am planning to build one for my corn snake too and your video will definitely help. Had a quick question, did you get the dry substrate from Joshfrogs too? Thanks
hi!!! i have a few questions!!!!! im planning on getting a Ghost Motley Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttata) and i dont know what the tempuature for the cool side or warm side for the enclosure and what the humidity is? terrarium looks beutiful btw!!!!!
The basking spot should be 85-90F during the day, measured by a temperature gun. Cool side can be room temperature. Humidity should be 50-70%, measured by a digital hygrometer.
I upgraded my corn snake soon after this. I wasn’t able to keep the springtails alive since the substrate was dry unfortunately though. So with my corn snake I upgraded to a 4x2x16 zen habitat enclosure and I spot clean as needed
@@reptiliangarden ok cool thanks for the info ! Also I have another question, my corn snake seems to poop quite frequently, around 2-3 times a week and I’m just wondering if that is common?
Puggle2235 You shouldn’t have to, but sometimes minor spot cleaning may be necessary depending on the animal. Corn snakes have small poop, so it should be fine getting eaten by the springtails.
I have a few questions. does the bottom layer dry out at all? meaning within a year do you have to re-water it? also, how do you know how much water to spray when you are water the plants and how often do you do that?
There are clean up crews you can use for dry enclosures that don't need humidity. Dubia roaches, superworms & some beetle species make awesome clean up crew for leos & dragons
So the spingtails and isopods... Is it possible to have too many? Like is there a plant-isopod/springtail ratio? I keep reading that they breed like crazy and there's a lot in that container you dumped in. 😅
I think the whole point with a bioactive enclosure is that you don't need to replace the substrate. Just spot clean any big bits of faeces you see and that's all.
Mason S The tank size was too skinny, so I upgraded soon after and I’m doing so, I killed them plants. 😭 I’m in the process of upgrading him to a final enclosure and I’ll post a video of it when it’s done!
While corn snakes can do fine on aspen, they benefit from high humidity, and aspen doesn’t retain humidity at all (and molds when wet). I personally use a mix of cypress mulch and soil.
Tyanna Cellucci That was the one thing I forgot to ask Joshs Frogs for. I got one after the video and it really dried out very quickly and is at 40% humidity and the lower layer is still moist.
![Bioactive Corn Snake Enclosure Setup [Pantherophis guttatus]](/img/n.gif)
I googeled this like ..... 20 minutes ago ..... and now you posted a video on it?! Are you watching me? The setup looks beautiful. You’re a big inspiration!
Sara Lmaoo!!! That is so perfect. I knew you needed this 😂💕
There are isopods that you can put in the vivarium. Isopods tolerate drier substrate than springtails. You should put more leaf litter in it.
omg invest in a caulk gun for that silicone lol. you can also put some spagnum moss under the water bowl as a moist retreat for your clean up crew!
Watching you spray that foam around the bark is actually satisfying. 😌👌🏽
I love bioactive setups! they are just so much fun!
Bloom's enclosure came out beautiful.
Thank you!!! 💕💕💕
I have an 8 month old palmetto corn snake and was looking for something like this. Thank you for posting, I love my little guy and want him to have the best home possible ❤
Wow, I was a bit concerned in the beginning with the whole silicon faux pas but you ultimately created a terrific little bioactive enclosure. Hats off to you and thanks for sharing this successful effort. You have inspired me to do attempt this for my lavender corn snake Cupcake.
I am currently in the process of building a bioactive tank for my corn snake when he gets bigger, after a success with my crested gecko tank. You could use beneficial fungi and/or bacteria. They make a great alternative custodian crew for the arthropods, and don’t need high humidity as much (if you have low RH animals like corn snakes and beardies like I also do-always have a decently high RH for cresties!). Awesome video as always
higher humidity is not a problem as long as it's warm enough. mine is in an enclosure that was over 70% for several month. does not bother them, as long as it doesn't get too cold.
I like the grooves you use to accompany your videos. Nice camera work too. Very creative.
that is so cool i love watching bio active builds
I’m slowly planning enclosure builds and bioactive upgrades, and I would love to do this for Phoenix, but she would destroy any plants 😂
ZA Reptiles That’s always tough figuring out which animal won’t ruin the plants 😭😂
I have been keeping and breeding corns and many other snakes for a little over 40 years and I have found and others like me that this environment is too humid and wet to keep many colubrid's in like corn snakes because they naturally occur in forest and plains type enviroments where the humidity is about 40 to 50 percent anything above this can and does cause blisters I use fake their virtually impossible to destroy. and aquarium safe silicone like GE silicone 2 to keep them in place.
Make corn snake is named Phoenix l. He’s make though
I always look forward to your uploads! Wonderful content this week! I myself have bioactive enclosures for my boa and my ball pythons and they love it!
antisocialpython Thank you!!! I am dying to do a bioactive Setup for my ball python! 😭😍
Some tips:
* Get a different substrate: I recommend arcadia earthmix arid if you can get your hands on it.
* Instead of having a very moist substrate everywhere, have spots with pieces of cork bark, under which you place sphagnum moss, and just keep those areas moist.
* I have an exo terra which does have quite a good vent system, so the humidity in my viv doesn't raise that much, but I spray mine down with a light mist every couple of days and get under those bits of cork bark. This helps maintain the isopods and springtails but the overall, the enclosure doesn't get really damp so the risk of scale rot and respiratory issues is minimised.
*Read the book "the art of keeping snakes by Phillippe de Vosjoli.
*Leave the enclosure to settle for a few weeks before adding your corn snake back in.
Awesome tips, I will head your advice for my build.
I’m considering going bio for my corn snake and I’m curious as to why you aren’t using a drainage layer? 🙂
I hope you used a drainage layer with yours
@@LukeMcGuireoides I did and so far my terrarium is doing well😊
@@cheshire8780 What did you do for it? Did you add a drainage layer? How’s the humidity? Did you add Isopods? How is the maintenance? Sorry for all the questions, I’m thinking about doing a bio active corn snake terrarium so I’m looking for advice.
@@tuckrex2038 I did it both because I like how decorative they are but also to get a chance to observe more natural behaviors by mimicking my snakes natural environment. I added a drainage layer and my humidity is flexible between the 40-70%. I haven’t added isopods/springtails yet but am planning on it as they help with cleaning/maintaining the tank’s environment🙂
@@cheshire8780 Thank you
girl im seriously crushing on you😍 your tattoos are insane
Mea G Thank you!!!💕💕💕
Im planning to something like this for my snakey. Thanks for the well made video and instructions :)
My teenage daughter built one for the Crested gecko I bought her. Ferdinand now lives in a mansion.
I would if you revisited this video and gave an update on how it worked out! If you have upgraded it in any way.
Aw I just started watching you and I have a snow corn snake named Blossom 😊 she’s currently in a large/tall tub while she’s still little until I save up for a big glass tank, and I definitely want to go bioactive when I upgrade her! Thanks for the awesome video!!
Caitlyn Lentz Thank you! And good luck with Blossom! 💕🐍✨
Came out great!!! I just did my bts bioactive today. I plan on getting a corn snake next and couldn’t figure out with the low humidity how to make it work, so I’m so stoked to see this! Thank you! 💞
Erica Puzio Thank you! I’m glad this was able to help! 💕 good luck with your next setup ✨🌿
Reptilian Garden thank you!!
I put springtails in my orchid pots.
And i haven't watered my orchids for over a year, and just found live springtails in the water dish of my corn snake.
So i think they can tolerate a dry environment pretty well.
My corn snake is not in a bioactive, he is on hemp with fake plants.
So i think the springtails going to the waterdish was there last option to not die, lol.
I’m curious how it’s lasted without a drainage layer. Also, how did the plants on the hot side deal with the heat?
No way those plants survived. The roots would be in standing water after a month or so of watering
@@LukeMcGuireoides not true the soil dries quickly I have a similar bioactive set up for my Goliath tara Tula and the plants do fine.
Can you post a video of when you water/spray the tank and plants ? How often ?
The tank looks really good. I want to do the same thing for a king snake.
I realize their local is quite large, but it is in humid areas for the most part. As for in captivity, why is it then that they spend so much time in their wet hides and all come out as soon as they are misted, with hot water. Just because something is a common belief does not make it true. And just because they can live with low humidity does not mean they like it or it is good for them. If you truly want the best for your animals then research where they come from and try to replicate that as best as possible. I have kept reptiles for most of my life (50yrs) and found that keeping them in a set up as close to their natural environment as possible is the best way to go.
Loved it. Thank you for showing the process 🤘🤘🤘. That is art at its finest 🤘🤘
Ryan Chadwick Thank you!!!! 😭😭😭
If it's done this way, there will be a lot of water saturating most of the soil. It'll be like mud, because those plants require a decent amount of watering. You should always use a drainage layer when you're using live plants.
How hard is it to upkeep a bioactive ? For watering the plants, how much water are you giving each plant ?
My problem was the plants not liking the heat lamp
Such a pretty set up. Great Job
Gaku Beauchamp Thank you!!! 💕💕💕
How often do you water the plants?
awesome get some Isopods as well for in there and also I would do more leaf litter aswell.......... to each their own though great vid. I hope you got a caulk gun for next time. they are cheap. I love Joshs Frogs they are awesome.
Bloom so activated the winx club fairy fan in me. Ofc I love the botanical name.
I love your Bio-Active so much!😄 Great video. 🐍
Reptitan Thank you!!! 💕💕💕
Bloom is such a cutie!! Is there any way you could please break down every item needed to set up from Josh's Frogs? I am upgrading my girl Marley's enclosure and this is a great tutorial.
I don't think you mentioned Josh's Frogs enough lol. But seriously - GREAT video
Question… how do you water the plants without adding too much humidity to the tank?
I don’t have any experience with keeping live plants in an enclosure, although 65-75% humidity is good for corns. They come from a humid region. Just make sure the surface of the substrate isn’t too wet. Snakes tend to destroy live plants, though.
Could you make more corn snake videos pls? Maybe talk more about heat lamps vs heat pads for them and other tips :) ♥️ I got my first corn snake a couple weeks ago and I’m trying to decide what to do with her future terrarium.
Substrate, substrate.... what exactly is the substrate? Sphagnum moss, bark dust, sand, Legos?
I personally use a mix of Reptisoil and cypress mulch with leaf litter on top, and it works well. Planning on getting some sphagnum moss as well.
His new tank looks amazing! I love the look of your cornsnake. I have a large male pewter & he is so amazing 😊
Actually Corns prefer a high humidity. Think about where they come from. Places like Florida and Louisiana, all have high humidity.
They actually come from all over! A lot of places have varying humidity from high to low. Their requirement in captivity is low, but I do recommend spiking it around shed time!
@@reptiliangarden I used to think the same thing. But while they can tolerate low humidity, they benefit from humidity between 60-70%. The states they come from have a high average humidity. The website reptifiles has more information.
Awesome Snake, Build, & Vid!
This is so beautiful, thank you ❤️😊😁
Amazing. I'm doing something like this for my corn snake. Do you have any aadvice on gaining the trust of an extremely timid corn snake?
In my experience, just handle often and make sure when u reach for them always show them your hand and pick up far enough from the head that they wont panic. The more you interact with snake, the more they warm up to you. Even go in their enclosure and just more stuff around occasionally, get them used to your hands being in and around them a lot. Basically exposure therapy lol
Beautiful setup!
for the plants on the background I wonder if next time you could just silicone them on instead of foaming them on
So you're not using a heating pad, just the lights for warmth?
Dimensions of the enclosure?
So far a corn snake, there’s no need for a drainage layer? Considering there wouldn’t be too much moisture to begin with I’m assuming?
God I searching like hours for the Terrarium sice for a men cornsnake but everyone says something else like: 120x60x120 or 12x60x60. Can someone pls help
will this work for a milk snake?
Without isopods waste breakdown is going to take forever and certain species of isos are perfect for drier conditions. I’d ditch the springs.
Nice setup, I love doing bioactive. Also nice pendy
Been waiting for this video 😆😆
Got a question for you. I'd really love to build one of these for my corn but he seems much more partial to heating pads rather than lamps. Would that work? Thank you!
in my experience, for animals that prefer belly heat, putting some dark rocks or tiles (slate works especially well) underneath a heat lamp, DHP, or halogen is great! it's what i do for my ball python and she comes out nearly every night to bask on the rocks that have gotten all warmed up
@@micah1848 ooh that's a good idea. Thank you!
Looks really good 😊
Alyssa Growden 😘😘😘
My snake burrows around and up roots her plants…it’s a pain tbh
You really could do with putting a drainage layer in :S I'm looking into making my corn a bio tank as I've not long done it for my cresties, want to do it with all of my reps
Did you stick to bioactive when you upgraded the enclosure?
Great job on this video
King Arthur Thank you!!! 💕
So you used the same Josh's bedding substrate the whole time right??
Those snake hooks didn’t do well with my corn snakes tank. She was still able to escape. That’s why I had to use my brothers weights
Saverio Panaccione That sucks 😭 I’m sorry
Hello,what kind of tank is this?what is the name?
Which of joshs substrate did you use exactly?
Do you know if I can put millipedes in my bio active tank with my snakes?
I love the tree hide. It all looks really good. I was woundering. Do corn snakes move around alot? I have a Ball Python and the only time he moves is at night. So I was thinking about get another snake that I could watch more. Thanks.
Tabatha Taylor corn snakes are very active!
They are way more active, but they are nocturnal. So they typically sleep during the day and are active at night!
Mine comes out mainly at night or when his tank his dark but he does move in the day once a while
Update?
Do corn snakes really require a low humidity? They're from the southeastern US which is a very humid locale.
They come from a lot of different places in the US with fluctuating temps. They do not require a high humidity, but they definitely need a bit of an increase before they shed.
@@reptiliangarden would you say that a humid hide would suffice?
Corn snakes are hardy snakes and tolerate low to moderate humidity, but benefit from humidity between 65-75%, measured by a digital hygrometer. As you mentioned, they’re native to areas with high humidity. A humid hide is also beneficial.
Awesome setup!! You 🤘'd it!!
Great Video, I am planning to build one for my corn snake too and your video will definitely help. Had a quick question, did you get the dry substrate from Joshfrogs too? Thanks
Whats the reccomended tank size for an adult
hi!!! i have a few questions!!!!! im planning on getting a Ghost Motley Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttata) and i dont know what the tempuature for the cool side or warm side for the enclosure and what the humidity is? terrarium looks beutiful btw!!!!!
The basking spot should be 85-90F during the day, measured by a temperature gun. Cool side can be room temperature. Humidity should be 50-70%, measured by a digital hygrometer.
Damn really great video
What watt bulb are you using for your heat lamp? Mine is 125 and too hot for my 20 gal tank.
How do you find this enclosure working for you, how long does it take for the fecal matter to be broken down? And does it smell?
I upgraded my corn snake soon after this. I wasn’t able to keep the springtails alive since the substrate was dry unfortunately though. So with my corn snake I upgraded to a 4x2x16 zen habitat enclosure and I spot clean as needed
@@reptiliangarden ok cool thanks for the info ! Also I have another question, my corn snake seems to poop quite frequently, around 2-3 times a week and I’m just wondering if that is common?
when you go bioactive do you still need to clean out the snake's waste once in a while or no?
Puggle2235 You shouldn’t have to, but sometimes minor spot cleaning may be necessary depending on the animal. Corn snakes have small poop, so it should be fine getting eaten by the springtails.
What size tank? I don't think you mentioned.
This was a 30 gallon. He’s now in a 4x2x16 80 gallon enclosure
I have a few questions. does the bottom layer dry out at all? meaning within a year do you have to re-water it? also, how do you know how much water to spray when you are water the plants and how often do you do that?
Hi what type of vivarium do you have and where did you get it I am planning on getting a corn snake and I don't know what vivarium to trust
I’ve been wanting to try bioactive but I just have a Leo and bearded dragon and I’m not sure it’s the best setup for them
SoapMonkeeyy It can be tricky for both since they are a dry species! It would require a lot of research for sure
There are clean up crews you can use for dry enclosures that don't need humidity. Dubia roaches, superworms & some beetle species make awesome clean up crew for leos & dragons
Look up leopard gecko she did one for her Leo
Several of those plants are toxic. Is that not an issue?
I love this! It looks so amazing! What size tank are you using?
She’s using a 30 gallon
So the spingtails and isopods... Is it possible to have too many? Like is there a plant-isopod/springtail ratio? I keep reading that they breed like crazy and there's a lot in that container you dumped in. 😅
it will self regulate, both feed on waste material and the population will balance over time.
How often do you clean the enclosure? Usually you swap.out the bedding. What is the process in this type of enclosure?
I think the whole point with a bioactive enclosure is that you don't need to replace the substrate. Just spot clean any big bits of faeces you see and that's all.
Wow I want to do this for my cornie so bad 😳
Do they stink?
It’s called a caulk gun.
Who did you get your gtp from?
Has this worked well over the past year?
Mason S The tank size was too skinny, so I upgraded soon after and I’m doing so, I killed them plants. 😭 I’m in the process of upgrading him to a final enclosure and I’ll post a video of it when it’s done!
@@reptiliangarden well I'll wait for that video to come out before I upgrade my cal king to a bioactive setup👍🏻
I have that poster in my room
Wow the enclosure is beautiful. I am just now wondering if I need to send you a caulk gun.
Lisa Lynn That’s it! I have one! My boyfriend put it somewhere and I don’t know where 😅😂
Is he still in a bioactive and how did this work for you? What issues did you run across?
There springtails died because they’re need a moist substrate. For dry species, you’ll have to use isopods that can tolerate a dry substrate
Would you recommend this substrate or just a straight Aspen shavings substrate
While corn snakes can do fine on aspen, they benefit from high humidity, and aspen doesn’t retain humidity at all (and molds when wet). I personally use a mix of cypress mulch and soil.
@@nightinggale6470 ok thank you 😊
Do these tanks come with the tops or do you have to buy them separately?
Great job 👍
Mark Anderson Thank you!
Mark Anderson Thank you!
How do you clean it?
Marley Salinas The isopods help to clean it. If there’s ever a bit much you can just clean out what you can and the isopods will get the rest.
Do you know what the humidity of the tank is sitting at with all of that water / moisture? Do you have a hydrometer to check on it?
Tyanna Cellucci That was the one thing I forgot to ask Joshs Frogs for. I got one after the video and it really dried out very quickly and is at 40% humidity and the lower layer is still moist.
Great job kiddo I love your videos and I bet that is one happy snake keep up the good work thanks kiddo