How to Make a Bioactive Enclosure! Beginner Guide!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- How to make a bioactive enclosure? In todays video I will show you everything you need to know to start a successful Bioactive build! Arid bioactive and tropical bioactive will be covered in this video! I also answer the most popular question do bioactive tanks need a drainage layer?
Tropical soil: amzn.to/44DzBwb
Desert Soil: amzn.to/44LJ6d2
Leaf Litter: amzn.to/3PoNR7J
Plants for tropical: amzn.to/3R1g1Hc
Plants for Desert: amzn.to/3R8bgMa
Isopods: amzn.to/4616Smh
Springtails: amzn.to/483ZEjh
Led Daylight bulb: amzn.to/3sGHUKB
Branch: amzn.to/3Et8GZi
Cork Bark: amzn.to/3R57CTb
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This is the only video I've seen on TH-cam where a drainage layer wasn't used. I don't use them either, I don't like how drainage layers look, don't over water and you won't have an issue. Great content. 👍
Thank you! Exactly you don’t need one I’ve done very tropical setups with no drainage and done absolutely fantastic
@@ChiefSweetsUniversehow often would you say you water ??
@@poopooplater5898every 5-7 hours
@@poopooplater5898I do mine even sometimes 10 hours depending on if the soil was already wet
What about your cleanup crew getting stuck under the soil? I don't see my bugs and it's been a couple weeks running
I’ve been wanting to set up a bioactive for my crested for some time now. This is the first video I’ve seen that doesn’t involve making a “spray foam“ background! I already have the exo terra cork tile background and want to keep it. I appreciate the simplicity of your build. This isn’t intimidating or overly complicated and something I think I can do now! So thank you!!
Well...the drainage layer was originally invented for super-tropical rainforest dart frog vivariums that get misted with an automatic mister every day and might have standing water at the bottom (along with drainage bulkheads some people install to drain excess water). Some people with super high humidity frogs will literally pour water into the drainage layer to keep the humidity up without constant misting.
You're right, though, for a more temperate or arid enclosure, the drainage layer is not particularly necessary. Not trying to be fussy about your video, just clarifying for anyone who may not know!
That is a crazy amount of water haha but I don’t mind learning something new! Thank you! I don’t keep dart frogs so that’s definitely something I didn’t know
😁 I'm no historian, but it seems the earliest attempts and adoption of bioactive vivaria was primarily among Dart Frog keepers. Most of those species need 80-100% humidity, so you can see how a drainage layer would be useful.
Later, when bioactive started catching on for other species, the rest of the herp keepers kinda just inherited the how-to instruction lists from the Dart Frog people, hence the persistence of the drainage layer in many instructionals. Although, drainage layers can still be useful in less wet vivs, especially in case of a water bowl tip-over accident, or if you get a bit over zealous with the watering can!
So do you suggest doing the drainage layer for a leopard gecko enclosure?
Eh, you probably don't need it for an arid enclosure. Some people add one anyway, many don't, and they've both generally had success.
Kai and I were searching for bioactive enclosures for his new isopod enclosure he’s making.. and lo and behold yours is the first video that popped up!! Small world, thanks for the useful information we loved learning. Getting to work now!
Haha that’s so awesome! Definitely small world. Happy to help
Love your content so much!! Wpuld love a video on what comes after setting up the bioactive tank and adding the isopods and springtails. Like plant growth, mold or fungus growth, fungus gnats and how to deal with all those issues as they occur!
Thank you so much! That is a fantastic video! I didn’t even think of that. I’ll put that on my list
I’m also waiting for this video! I just set up a bioactive enclosure for my ball python and have noticed two different types of small bugs. I’ve been on TH-cam and the internet all morning trying to identify them so I can figure out how to get rid of them 😭
I LOVE your videos. You make things sooo accessible and unstandible.
That means a lot! Thank you
Yw! I also just realized how poorly I spelled
Whoooaa! I didn't have to speed up the video for once. You talk fast enough that its not annoying lol. great content, thanks.
Haha finally a good comment on how fast I talk thank you!
I had to slow down the video! 😂
Exactly what I neeeeed! Brilliant and not draggy at all! :)
Thank you glad you liked it
Awesome video. Now I feel very confident and I will be making mine this weekend!
You can do it!
Great video been thinking of doing a bio active enclosure for my leopard gecko this video is great
You should! It’s fun!
Thanks bro I’m upgrading my crested geckos tank to a bigger one and needed this
Happy to help
Thank you my guy. This is exactly what i needed.
Happy to help
Question. How do you keep mites out when doing this? Spray the substrate before hand with Provent-a-mite? Then wouldn't it kill off the decomposers? Very helpful video!
If you’re worried about snake or lizard mites then isolate anything from outside for the lifespan of of the longest lived mites.
This was a great video! A lot of into and not too complicated.
Thank you!
A minute in and I already love the video! Yesterday I got my first tortoise so I was wondering if you have ever had one. I got a Russian and so far he is doing good.
Thank you! I have not had a Russian tortoise but I do have other tortoises.
How are you sanatizing the leaves and branches?? Planning on doing this EXACT same thing for my sand boa and corn snake.
Can't you just use regular woodlice/isopods from your garden or would it not be safe?
Nicely explained!
Thank you
Thank you so much for the beginner videos! And especially for including tips for arid environments as well as tropical. If one is buying the spring tails and isopods, what's a good amount to start with on the crew? Also probably dumb question, but I assume you have pre-moistened the substrate before adding it to the setups? I want to get my snakes set up for bioactive, but still intimidated by it a bit. I have 2 desert and one woodland species.
Yes! I do pre-moisten the substrate. Not a dumb question I should have included that darn! I added about 15 isopods add a good amount of springtails.
You got this! It’s not hard just need some good lighting and you’ll be set
I have a few questions. Should I have a UVB light, LED light, and a basking/night bulb, or should I have less lights (or maybe even more)?
Additionally, what’s a good water source for crickets? I heard that they’ll drown in regular water, so I need a water source that’s good for them.
Also, thanks for this video; I needed a tutorial for setting up a bioactive enclosure!
I give my crickets romaine lettuce and that helps them stay hydrated. If you have a reptile I would use all 3 light sources make sure to see what your reptile requires for heat and uvb range for sure. Happy to help! 😁
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Thank you!
Which one of these examples would work for a leopard gecko? Also ,Can i just use reptisoil with the dessert stone?
Love your channel! I'm resisting the urge to bring lizards back into my home! 🙂Question for you, last night my cat found a young lizard in the kitchen. Said lizard is now without his tail. He's been living in my outdoor plants and probably came in with a delivery box. We're in NC and it is starting to get cold. Is young lizard at a disadvantage while he grows his tail back in the winter if I release him back to my porch plants? I'm glad to set up a terrarium, I would just prefer to release. (I'm attached to this little guy, I helped him escape his dried egg slime that had his leg bound to his head at birth. He was a sad lizard pretzel doing gator spiral to get free.)
Aw I hope he is happy and well now!
Hi, I've been wanting to build a bioactive terrarium for quite a while now. I have a question: do the springtails and isopods not overpopulate after a certain point? How do you ensure they don't dominate the ecosystem?
Also want to know
I don’t see him answering questions
Great video, I'm currently looking to build my first bioactive enclosures for my cresties! How common are ant infestations and are there any ways to avoid them before they happen?
Thank you! I’ve never had an ant infestation (knock on wood) but if they do happen it’s cause they want a food source or something in the tank remove that and it should go away.
Great video!
Thank you! 😊
Leaves from uour backyard ftw. Just dumped a bunch in my fishtanks 😂
Haha the tannins will be strong as heck at first. I use some as well. That’s the only time I would say boil cause man those tannins are strong however if you do want strong tannins it does the trick easy.
Really good information, i only have a question. Does your lizard live in this biotank, or is this just for lizard food to grow? I kinda got lost when you were switching views between the different tanks and then there's a lizard sitting on a stone in one image.
I'm building a custom aquarium for my bearded, and was thinking about doing a separate tank just for food, insects and like grass, dandelion, lettuce and such. Would it be ok to have a food tank like that and just put beardy in that tank for meals and then put him back in his own house after he eats?
Great vid thanks!
Is there a cleaning cycle for the rocks or other inorganic adds to your tropical tanks? Do you have to worry about mold or algae growth?
Mold growth might happen but don’t have to worry about it the isopods and springtails will eat it up. I do clean the grates out because the isopods and springtails do not eat that part up. Other than that just leave it be really
Love this, Chief! Great video. If I set up a bio active tank for my daughter’s leopard gecko, how long do I have to let the plants, clean up crew, etc. sit before introducing her gecko? It is about 10 months old. Thanks!
I let usually throw everything in straight away but I give the isopods about 2 hours to settle in
I’m a first timer and will be getting my leopard gecko at Repticon on the 10th. I’m very intrigued by the bioactive tank as I want to created the best experience for my gecko. From your video it sounds like the only heat I will need to provide will be through the lamp. I’m nervous but will cut out the drainage layer. What are the best isopods to use for tropical enclosure?
@@homemakingfromanonexpert tropical enclosures many isopods will do. You can kind of take your pick. Dwarf white isopods are an easy starter for tropical enclosures
Do you leave the led and basking spot lights on all day?
Also want you to know
Yes from morning to dusk. So 7am to 7pm usually
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you so much for answering!
Yeah that is the best " watering tip". Moist = no water , dry = add water .🎉❤😅😊
Exactly! Very easy haha
1:15 can I use led strips instead of a bulb?
I have a question, in case the snake gets sick and the vivarium needs disinfecting, do you have to take everything out for that and add new or are the little helpers take care of it automatically? I am completely new to that and thinking of changing the vivariums into bio active ones.
Yes, any daytime LED light can be used, but the light from them doesn't cover the full wavelength of light that plants use. Plants will grow faster and look better under specialized lights. There is a lack of nutrition and minerals for the plants and enough organic matter for the cleanup crew. I also don't see enough plants to run a full cycle there, so I wouldn't call it bioactive. But no hate.
2:00 where did you get that lid!?!?! I've been looking for one forever.
Oh that one came with the tank I don’t think I’ve seen them sold separately
This is the exact type of lighting type of setup i’m trying to go for in a 40 gallon for a hognose, do you have all the light/heat just plugged into an outlet strip or is it a specific thermostat? Thank you!!
Ive had mine going for two weeks and i no longer see my isopod colony or spring tails... Could they be dead?? I mist daily for humidity for my bp.
They do burrow and hide so look under rocks leaves
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse they are on the drainage layer..why not on the substrate?!?? Maybe it's too wet!?
Thank you lots of helpful information, i have a leopard gecko plan on upgrading his tank so i bought a 30x12x18 tank I want to go bioactive plan on making a trip to home Depot what do you recommend mostly as far as making substrate, and lighting, i think ill get thermostat,heat gum from Amazon, thanks for your help
If I’m using Reptisoil for a leopard gecko should I add more sand and maybe more excavator clay to give it a more solid and drier texture? Or would the ratios be I plan on doing a bioactive setup with a succulent plant and I have some isopods and springtails as well. Also I saw you just put the plants right out the pot into the tank should I quarantine the plant first?
Can you run a bioactive setup with just springtails? Apparently you need a permit when dealing with isopods.
I’ve never heard of a permit? Are you sure? You can run it without isopods but you’ll have to clean the tank a little more
Hi! Useful video thanks! Could I go for a bioactive setup when I have a wooden enclosure? I paid a lot to have a personalised special sized one but I now discovered that I could go bioactive and that the wood would cause some problems 😅
I have sealed the inside of my wooden enclosures with drylock you can also try pond armor. Works great they are still kicking
I’ve never heard of peat moss! Is that safe for leopard geckos?
Yes I use that same desert mix mentioned in the video for my leopard geckos! 😁
Could you have a Two bulb set up for the top of the tank? So one bulb for the halogen bulb and one for the UVB bulb by any chance?
Do the isopods ever breed too rapidly? I would be concerned they'd take over the tank, but i have no idea if that's even a problem...
Not too much as they will grow slow and they die after about a year
For a crested gecko bioactive terrarium, can you add branches from a local wooded area as long as it isn’t chemically treated? Or is it safer to purchase the cork bark?
Yeah you can totally do that that’s what I do. If you want to fully sterilize it can bake at 250f for 2 hours
Do you cycle your enclosure before you put the reptile in? Or do you sanitize the substrate? Or neither?
Nope don’t do neither. However you totally can nothing wrong with it at all.
My Egyptian uros really do not like bugs- would a bioactive terrarium still be possible ? I love the idea
Oh yeah it definitely would.
the bottom layer i see you do, the substratum, is that the layer you said isn't totally necessary?
when youve mixed the playsand and organic soil together, do you still need desert sand?
i'm hoping to get a bearded dragon in future but want to make a bioactive set up first
Yeah the substratum or rocks or clay balls is what some people use. Not necessary at all
Hi I have a question. Can you tell me how many gallons this tank is? Because thats exactly how big I want my future terrarium to he
As an avid gardener, I feel I need to point out that you are not, in fact, using soil. Peat moss and sand is a soilless mix. Real soil is generally called “black dirt” or “black earth.” Great vid though! I totally want to do this!
Heyooo learning new things everyday! Appreciate you for dropping knowledge
Would the sand/peat moss mixture function any differently than soil, In terms of cycling nutrients and availability for the plants?
I have an issue i want to make my ball python cage bioactive but i try to keep the substate thin because room temp is anywhere from 65-72 and i want my snake close to heat pad. Are there any plants that would be sturdy, and survive good without much soil?
Will coco husk substrate work as a kind of topper of the soil like what you did with the leaves? I already have the coco husk and just bought my ball python a new terrarium, I was thinking of adding in live plants this time.
Yeah it can work as a topper for sure
Do you need to wet the soil for a leopard gecko enclosure or just water the plants as needed?
I do wet the soil at first then over time just water the plants
would this be a good setup for a crested gecko?
Where did you get that lid for your tank? I cannot find anything but screen top lids for glass tanks?
This one came with the tank but this is what I recommend amzn.to/4c6hAuH
Should I keep my uvb light on with my night bulb or only my night bike at night? And does my leopard geko need all 3 lights during the day?
I use all lights during the day but turn off alll lights at night.
Is this also a good terrarium for Bearded dragons
would anything change if i cook the soil? Would the bacteria, being cooked off, not allow the plants to grow?
A lot of times it will actually make bad bacteria grow faster. However you should be good honestly
What if you have your enclosure in the living room with daylight, do you still need artificial light for the plants? Its not particularly brught but i do get light.
You can probably get away without artificial light for the plants. If they start to wilt and die then you can add that in.
Is it safe to say most people will only need or want a drainage layer if the species needs HIGH humidity with a more consistent %75-%90. But if it's allowed to get %40 and dry a bit between you shouldn't need a drainage layer. Although you want to consider your independent air humidity through the seasons and ventilation as our climates can cause challenges we may not have considered.
Yeah you can totally use one if you want. I think it would probably benefit those living in super humid climates with species that require daily misting. That’s the only time I think you would want one
Do you keep the light on 24/7?
No I turn them off at night
So peat moss amd play sand only is ok for a ball python?? Everyone is saying soil peat and sand but im having a really hard time finiding a cheap basic soil
Yeah that’s exactly what I use for my balm pythons. It’s essentially reptisoil but cheaper however you can also just use reptisoil
Do you need a drainage layer if your going to have a deeper substrate
Nope I don’t use any and have many enclosures with 8 inches
Rip to all the iso pods he killed lifting up that rock😂
😂 they risked it for the footage. They will be missed.
Do u use a heat mat aswell as the heatlamp? or is the heatlamp on 24/7 so it's not too cold at night?
I use no heat at night. It’s perfectly fine to have a drop in temps at night. Just like in the wild.
ok thanks, do u use a spotlight so the heat from the balm is on the rocks or is it better to spread the heat more around the terrarium?@@ChiefSweetsUniverse
what's the best plants you use for bearded dragon enclosure?
Snake plants, grasses like fescue and carex are great too
Where do you get cleanup crew and isopods?
Linked in my Amazon storefront of my description the big list but you can also go to joshes frogs as well
is this setup appropriate for leopard geckos?
Yeah this will work
I know I’m late but is this suitable for a leopard gecko?
Yeah this will work for them
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you 😊
Just started on my bio tank for my mr zillo lepord guecko and man i still got a lot of work to do but except
What does the sand do?
It helps make the soil better for plants and reptiles
you dont have some molding on the leafe litter and branches ?
Nope the springtails will eat any up
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse oh really... I have a bit of an issue actually in my tree frog terarium Its not much just bits, maybe I put too little number of those springtails. Maybe I don't have enough ventilation. Also maybe better light might help ?
@@danzicz1890 mold really isn’t that big a issue the springtails should get it eventually but small mold growth is perfectly normal in a healthy bioactive. Mushrooms as well. In the wild you’ll flip rocks or leafs and you’ll see mold growth too. Just part of a bioactive. Now you don’t want the whole tank moldy but a small amount is nothing to worry about really
ok, thanks for help. @@ChiefSweetsUniverse
Will springtails and isopods be fine for a ball python?
Oh yeah I been using it for mine for months perfectly fine
Do you have to have plants? Because they’re quite heavy and break real ones, can I just put leaf litter and nutrient good soil and all that to feed the springtails?
can i put a snake in this kind of environment?
Oh yeah I had my ball python in this till I upgraded her
Boomer Sooner! I like that cup sir!
Haha Boomer Sooner!
so basically a lux level enough to feed the plants
Exactly
Just curious, how do you get the leaves ready for use? Do you boil them or something?
Nope you can some people do boil them. I just add them straight from outside in to the cage
@ChiefSweetsUniverse oh cool! Are there any benefits or drawbacks from not boiling them? I'm thinking about adding them to my bug tanks, but I wasn't sure if I should!
@@Roach_In_A_Trenchcoat it’ll take tannins out of the leaves which is the brown stuff that leaches out into water. Fish hobbies like that. However there’s no drawback from doing it either way. People boil as a safety measure. In case there’s like some bugs on it or something
@ChiefSweetsUniverse ah thank you for the info, I've seen others doing it but they didn't explain it clearly :)
Is there a video on strictly bio active for bearded dragons ? I’m extremely fascinated by this and would love to do it, also , what heat lamps do you recommend for an enclosure 48 x 18 x 18 ? I didn’t have room for a 4x2x2. Also fairly new at this.
I’ll do one strictly for dragons very soon! The arid part of this is my method I use for my dragons but I’ll make the videos specifically directed at bearded dragons so it will be easier to follow 😁
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse awesome Chief ! Looking forward to it ! Love your content and it’s helped me immensely.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse I wonder if anyone has tried using African Nightcrawlers for bioactive arid enclosures? They are more fond of higher temps than other composting worms. Just something interesting to consider...
@@c5365 that is very interesting I never heard of it I’ll look into it for sure
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse I haven't either, no idea if it'd work, but it would be an interesting experiment...
Yo how is your soft shell turtle doing?
Doing well thank you 😊
A pothos will keep growing until eventually overtaking your entire home. Ask me how I know😂
That’s why I love it. 😂 I’ve propagated it so much haha
people actually BUY leaf litter?!?! we have failed as a species.
For people who live in cities they have too
I live in the middle of a desert, and just bought leaf litter for my leaf frogs. It’s not easily accessible out here and I want to make sure it’s clean, if yk what I mean