My husband and I had watched your last video and omg you read my mind! I was telling him "man I really wish people would just show exactly what they use to lessen the confusion for newbies to bioactive enclosures". It took me a little while to find soil that didnt sketch me out. Now I use Fox Farms Ocean Forrest as my main "dirt" and add in all the extras depending on who's living on or in it. Really wish more people would transition to bioactive for their beardies. Ultimately cleaner and they really do prefer it to the weird "sterile" looking enclosures. Thank you for encouraging others to do better by their critters!
I know exactly what you mean. Yes my beardies love the natural dirt. They love to dig a little spot curl up and sleep in the dirt. I don’t like the sterile looking stuff myself.
Probably my favorite video of yours. Sweet, simple, and to the point. It clarifies possible any questions before they need to be asked and doesn't kill you with filler info or 'B-reel' (don't get me wrong, b-reel and extra info are great but the balance of videos with both is ideal. Thanks again!
thank you for this tutorial!!! switching from tile to an actual substrate like this so my baby will be happy. this helped a lot and i’m buying the supplies today
You’re freaking awesome, I forgot to get the Pete moss on my trip today but I got everything else😂 gonna go active on my crested gecko, 2 bearded dragons and leopard gecko. Your videos have helped a ton thank you
I’ve tried your substrate and my beardie loves it and she’s found her spot to sleep and she created a burrow and that’s where she sleeps! 10/10 recommended for substrate! I also took advantage of your Amazon list and I ordered the heat gun you had listed that I was skeptical about buying. So thanks so much for that! Your videos are well appreciated and easy to understand, I can’t wait to raise a healthy beautiful girl!
How often do you have to change out the mixture? Is it okay to use if it dries out? How long can you store the extra mixture for? Thank you in advance 🙂
How often do you have to change this? Do they poop in the substrate or do they mainly poop on their hotspot? Do you notice a smell after a while thank you.
Went and got the supplies today to make my tank. I’ve done my entire setup based on your videos. Thanks so much for all the advice and tips you give us!
Really appreciate your videos. Looking for some help with choosing a lid for the 75gal tank we have for our future bearded dragon. Any recommendations?
Hey Chief! Thanks to your video, I'm no longer using tile and switched my guy to this Substrate. He's loving it so far and it looks great. Just a question, do you feed your beardies in their enclosure? Mine has gotten a couple of good mouthfuls of dirt so far lol. I'm using the Reptisun T5 with a 10.0 uvb bulb, along with a 100w intense basking bulb, so I know his husbandry is great. Should I still be cautious with feeding him inside his enclosure? Thanks!
Wow. Thank you! I just bought a few bearded dragons today and somehow came across your videos! Going to dump the carpet and few stuff I bought today and gonna work to set up just like you mentioned! I do have a 40 gallon tank... so would you be able to tell me how much I would need to mix the three?
Happy to help! I dont really know how much you would need to mix for the 40 gallon I usually mix it and then add however much covers the bottom and then just store the extra in storage.
Yes for my ball python I use this exact mix but only like 5% top soil. I use it for my tarantulas as well with no top soil. I don’t do a full swap at all. Last me years. Since my tanks are bioactive
Hey cheif. I recently did this substrate method and looks great! My only concern is that the substrate was still a little damp and shot up the humidity through the roof, currently at 90% I just bought a dehumidifier for my BD to regulate humidity levels. Have any other tips? And let me know if this normal and if I did good move on purchasing the dehumidifier. Thanks
Hey thanks for all your videos! Currently building a bio active viv for a new beardie. Going to do this substrate as its best i be found on here plus i can do it cheaper 👍🏽 One question i have though do i have to wash the play sand before adding it into the rest of the moss/top soil? Seen mixed reviews
I'm new to reptiles and I'm getting a bearded dragon within the next month. I was back and fourth between a bioactive and non-bioactive terrarium but I feel like going non-bioactive is safer since this will be my first reptile. I am curious to know if I can still use a top soil, sand mixture like yours without having to get a clean up crew or live plants? I don't want to use straight up sand or tile or carpet etc. but I don't want to go bioactive idek if that's possible
Of course with this mix you don’t have to have isopods or springtails you can just use it. I use it for my tarantulas and they don’t have springtails to isopods in it and it’s going strong!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseamazing thank you. do you know off the top of your head how often I’d have to change and replace the substrate? I would think it’s once a week or once a month?
@@cavanmehler7016in one of his other videos in the comments he said the can last up to 6 months, if you go bioactive it can last forever if you use isopods
Chukma Chief (that's my tribes salutation) anyways maybe i missed it but how often is it needful to be changed? Great videos and great mix just got done putting it in. Thank you for your great content
That’s Chickasaw right? I’m seminole but live in Chickasaw country. Hear it quite a bit didn’t know if it was Choctaw or Chickasaw. So I don’t change mine out at all. I do grab all the dirt that was touching or even near the poop and throw it away. So over time I have to add more dirt. Appreciate you!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse wow Chief no one i know even knows what A Chickasaw is let a lone the language! I live in Seminole country but married a Navajo ha ha ha. Thanks for the update!
Dude your videos are awesome. I think you should live stream on TH-cam a lot for Q&A's or ideas for new videos when people ask questions on a topic. You're such a down to earth guy and i love it. I have been reading books about beardies to educate myself along with your videos.
Your videos are amazing. Thank you so much question about this mixture how much of the Jurassic Natural Australian Desert would you add to this mix do you just sprinkle some on top after you set it up in habitat? Thanks again for your videos.
Just switched to this exact mixture today, so do I have to rehydrate it when it dries out after a couple days? And what’s the best way to do that if so.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse im a little confused one comment you said not to worry about humidity because it dries out fast but in this comment you said to rehydrate it 😅
Do you recommend coconut fiber in this mix or is Pete moss better in place of? I currently have coconut fiber and about to get some topsoil and play sand. BUT unsure if I should get Pete moss for my adult bearded dragon (who is used to paper towels ) thanks for your videos they help so much as someone with little experience, who rescued a dragon from someone!
I’m getting my first bearded dragon soon. Any suggestions for which plants I should put in? Specific names of the plants would help since plants are overwhelming for me lmao
I have a question about cleaning. How do you sift through the soil and clean up the poop your bearded dragon leaves and also how often do you replace the soil. I heard that poop leaves nitrates that are harmful.
I just got my first bearded dragon, a 3 month old named Bilbo. Just wanted to know how much you recommend feeding him? I've watched plenty of videos on it and have seen that babies need to eat a lot but the lady at the pet store said a dozen dubia roaches would last me a week. This doesn't add up to what I've read though so I wanted to get a second opinion
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse that’s what I thought, I went and got more roaches and wax worms to feed him, but I saw where wax worms can’t a staple food for their diet due them being high in fat content, anyways thank you for your reply! Your channel has been a huge help in preparing me getting my beardie
@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok just trying to keep my dragon safe i just got him 2 days ago and some people say that you must get reptisoil some say you can do your method but you have to bake it in the oven for a few hours before adding to the enclosure
How do you clean this substrate when the bearded dragon uses the bathroom? Should i get isopods? Or can i just use something like a papertowel to just pick up its poop?
Not sure if you'll see this, but I have a question. I'm a new bearded dragon owner. I've had my little guy for about 4 months now. He's going into his first brumation. He's been resting and laying low inside of his hut, just chilling. My question is, does he still require UVB? I keep all the lights including UVB on like usual, but if he stays in his cave for days at a time, will be still develop MBD if he doesn't come out for UVB?
My beardie is a rescue and has liver problems so she can’t have eggs. I have her on a rock/roll situation but want to do a bio active. Have you had experience with trying to keep ladies from having eggs? Thanks!!
Hey thanks for the vid really thinking about trying it out but I have to ask, is there a large risk of my beardie getting impacted from this mix? Or is it relatively safe for them?
Usually my enclosures range from 20-30 humidity here in Utah so it’s a bit easier managing. If it gets too bad I can just open a window. How would you recommend decreasing the humidity with that substrate for the first couple days? Should I just let it sit before bringing it into the enclosure?
Hey dude, I was wondering what would you add if it wasn't clumping together. Planning on doing this for my new beardie enclosure and just want to be prepared. Thanks!
What are your thoughts on types of sand? I feel like I want to use authentic Australian sand mostly for aesthetic but also because I am trying to closely replicate my beardies natural habitat. I see you are using play sand but what are your thoughts on calci-sand? To my knowledge so far, calci-sand seems to be limestone. Not sure if that is a viable option and if so are there any pro's to using it in the blend? Thanks in advance!
How about humidity? When it dries out is it still diggable? If that’s a word. What I have now is way too dusty. Oh and for bioactive how often do you water? Sorry for the barrage.
Thank you for sharing this, I am wanting to use this for my leopard geckos and bearded dragons. Just have one question, my leopards and dragons are juveniles. Would it be safe to add this in their enclosure while they are still young?
So I actually did this for my first bearded dragon after watching a different video. I’ve now had him a month and he’s doing great. My biggest question now is do I clean this or just replace all of it. How often should I replace? I have 4 different plants in my enclosure planted directly into the substrate. So far he’s mostly pooping on his rocks or in his baths but I’m a little worried I won’t see or notice if he poops directly on the substrate. Thanks for your videos they helped me a ton on preparing for our little guy!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Okay, thank you. Do you know how to make a top for an enclosure? My enclosure has a bar in the middle at the top and I can't find one that will fit the top with the bar there.
I don’t ever change it out myself since it’s just dirt. I do spit clean and grab all the dirt surrounding poop and throw that out so over time I do have to add dirt back to it.
Hey, so I just made a new enclosure for my beardie (with help of your video). I wanted to do this substrate. However, she is only about 5-6 months. So still juvenile. I've read that a loose substrate for a juvenile is not a good idea. Would you agree? Or do you think I'm fine putting it in there? Please help. Love the channel by the way. You have helped me out a lot.
@Chiefs Universe hey so my build is done, I put the substate in there. Made sure to regulate the temps. We put her in there today and I've noticed she's been trying to eat it. It's this normal? Will she stop? Should I take it out?
Our beardy is just throwing this stuff everywhere she absolutely loves it. It does seem to get in her water and food, is it safe if its accidentally ingested?
My husband and I had watched your last video and omg you read my mind! I was telling him "man I really wish people would just show exactly what they use to lessen the confusion for newbies to bioactive enclosures". It took me a little while to find soil that didnt sketch me out. Now I use Fox Farms Ocean Forrest as my main "dirt" and add in all the extras depending on who's living on or in it. Really wish more people would transition to bioactive for their beardies. Ultimately cleaner and they really do prefer it to the weird "sterile" looking enclosures. Thank you for encouraging others to do better by their critters!
I know exactly what you mean. Yes my beardies love the natural dirt. They love to dig a little spot curl up and sleep in the dirt. I don’t like the sterile looking stuff myself.
I agree the "show me" tutorials are awesome
Probably my favorite video of yours. Sweet, simple, and to the point. It clarifies possible any questions before they need to be asked and doesn't kill you with filler info or 'B-reel' (don't get me wrong, b-reel and extra info are great but the balance of videos with both is ideal. Thanks again!
Thank you I’m glad you enjoy it
Good tutorial. In the future it'd be nice to adress similar alternatives/ saying any type would or wouldn't work for X reason.
Will do! Definitely work on a substrate mix for almost each type of species
thank you for this tutorial!!! switching from tile to an actual substrate like this so my baby will be happy. this helped a lot and i’m buying the supplies today
Happy to help
All of your bearded dragon videos are very informational. Thank you so much for sharing what you know with all of us. It is beyond helpful.
Thank you I’m happy to help
You’re freaking awesome, I forgot to get the Pete moss on my trip today but I got everything else😂 gonna go active on my crested gecko, 2 bearded dragons and leopard gecko. Your videos have helped a ton thank you
I appreciate you! Thank you!
I’ve tried your substrate and my beardie loves it and she’s found her spot to sleep and she created a burrow and that’s where she sleeps! 10/10 recommended for substrate! I also took advantage of your Amazon list and I ordered the heat gun you had listed that I was skeptical about buying. So thanks so much for that! Your videos are well appreciated and easy to understand, I can’t wait to raise a healthy beautiful girl!
That’s awesome! Happy to help!
I am thinking of doing this has it cause any problems with your berdie
How often do you have to change out the mixture? Is it okay to use if it dries out? How long can you store the extra mixture for? Thank you in advance 🙂
How often do you have to change this? Do they poop in the substrate or do they mainly poop on their hotspot? Do you notice a smell after a while thank you.
If you add in little critters like pill bugs and Spring tails and live plants it makes it bio active
Mines has found her spot to poop in his hotspot
Thank you so much for the advice. It really means a lot to me.
I have 1 bearded dragon, 3 leopard geckos, an African bull frog, and 2 pacman frogs so I am definitely going to try this.
Went and got the supplies today to make my tank. I’ve done my entire setup based on your videos. Thanks so much for all the advice and tips you give us!
I am thinking of doing this has it caused any problems with your bierdie
what's plants can you use in bearded dragon enclosure?!
Your channel is perfect man, so much good information. GOAT
Thank you!
Great video bro straight to the point! i subbed!!
Thank you
Can't thank you enough for making these videos 🙏🙏
Happy to help
Hi, I was curious if it’s bad to just go ahead and put in the peat moss? What does the top should and play sand help with?
I would imagine just peat moss would retain too much water for a beardy and it wouldn’t hold its form enough to burrow.
Really appreciate your videos. Looking for some help with choosing a lid for the 75gal tank we have for our future bearded dragon. Any recommendations?
Hey Chief! Thanks to your video, I'm no longer using tile and switched my guy to this Substrate. He's loving it so far and it looks great. Just a question, do you feed your beardies in their enclosure? Mine has gotten a couple of good mouthfuls of dirt so far lol.
I'm using the Reptisun T5 with a 10.0 uvb bulb, along with a 100w intense basking bulb, so I know his husbandry is great.
Should I still be cautious with feeding him inside his enclosure?
Thanks!
So I do but I’ll use a bowl or escape proof dish most of the time eventually though they get reallly good at not grabbing dirt when eating
this is just what I need. my 120gallon comes in tomorrow. I have the sand already so running to Lowes to grab the peat moss and topsoil. Thanks bro!
Happy to help!
So I'm curious now. What plants do you grow in this substrate?
Tons of plants honestly you can grow any plant in this substrate. I’ve grown succulents, cactus, tropical ones all kinds
What plant is that you have in the enclosure?
Wow. Thank you! I just bought a few bearded dragons today and somehow came across your videos! Going to dump the carpet and few stuff I bought today and gonna work to set up just like you mentioned! I do have a 40 gallon tank... so would you be able to tell me how much I would need to mix the three?
Happy to help! I dont really know how much you would need to mix for the 40 gallon I usually mix it and then add however much covers the bottom and then just store the extra in storage.
How often do I need to change or clean this?
Do you wash the sand?? Sorry about all the questions it’s just so confusing 😭
How often should i do a full substrate change? and can this mix work for leopard geckos too? thanks so much!
This works with tons of desert animals like leopard geckos! Full change once a year
Do the isotopes keep it clean? How do you clean your bearded dragon poop?
This is awesome. Thank you. How often do you do a full swap? I wonder if this could work for a ball python or something that needs more humid.
Yes for my ball python I use this exact mix but only like 5% top soil. I use it for my tarantulas as well with no top soil. I don’t do a full swap at all. Last me years. Since my tanks are bioactive
What if my bearded dragon eats it? Would they get a clump of it in there stomach or no?
My peat moss has fertilizer in it, can I still use it
Hey cheif. I recently did this substrate method and looks great! My only concern is that the substrate was still a little damp and shot up the humidity through the roof, currently at 90%
I just bought a dehumidifier for my BD to regulate humidity levels.
Have any other tips? And let me know if this normal and if I did good move on purchasing the dehumidifier. Thanks
This is perfectly normal for the first few days the heat lamps will dry it out very quickly. Don’t have to worry about it too much.
use the high humidity to ur advantage change the substrate out when your bearded dragon starts shedding
Hey thanks for all your videos!
Currently building a bio active viv for a new beardie.
Going to do this substrate as its best i be found on here plus i can do it cheaper 👍🏽
One question i have though do i have to wash the play sand before adding it into the rest of the moss/top soil? Seen mixed reviews
I'm new to reptiles and I'm getting a bearded dragon within the next month. I was back and fourth between a bioactive and non-bioactive terrarium but I feel like going non-bioactive is safer since this will be my first reptile. I am curious to know if I can still use a top soil, sand mixture like yours without having to get a clean up crew or live plants? I don't want to use straight up sand or tile or carpet etc. but I don't want to go bioactive idek if that's possible
Of course with this mix you don’t have to have isopods or springtails you can just use it. I use it for my tarantulas and they don’t have springtails to isopods in it and it’s going strong!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseamazing thank you. do you know off the top of your head how often I’d have to change and replace the substrate? I would think it’s once a week or once a month?
@@cavanmehler7016in one of his other videos in the comments he said the can last up to 6 months, if you go bioactive it can last forever if you use isopods
Chukma Chief (that's my tribes salutation) anyways maybe i missed it but how often is it needful to be changed? Great videos and great mix just got done putting it in.
Thank you for your great content
That’s Chickasaw right? I’m seminole but live in Chickasaw country. Hear it quite a bit didn’t know if it was Choctaw or Chickasaw. So I don’t change mine out at all. I do grab all the dirt that was touching or even near the poop and throw it away. So over time I have to add more dirt. Appreciate you!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse wow Chief no one i know even knows what A Chickasaw is let a lone the language! I live in Seminole country but married a Navajo ha ha ha. Thanks for the update!
But what happens when the substrate dries out and isnt able to hold a burrow?
Usually when it dries out it is extremely hard and holds even better.
Alternatives to peat moss? Maybe coco coir?
Are you supposed to keep it moist or you just let it dry out And it’s ok
Dude your videos are awesome. I think you should live stream on TH-cam a lot for Q&A's or ideas for new videos when people ask questions on a topic. You're such a down to earth guy and i love it. I have been reading books about beardies to educate myself along with your videos.
I appreciate that so much I have been thinking about that a lot!
How old should the dragon be before I can use this ?
At least 1 month old
Your videos are amazing. Thank you so much question about this mixture how much of the Jurassic Natural Australian Desert would you add to this mix do you just sprinkle some on top after you set it up in habitat? Thanks again for your videos.
Yes I would sprinkle it on top of this mix maybe about two bags of the Australian desert Jurassic sand
Hello, I was just wondering what kind of isopods do you used for your bio active enclosure for the bearded dragon
I use common isopods and dwarf tropical white isopods
Just switched to this exact mixture today, so do I have to rehydrate it when it dries out after a couple days? And what’s the best way to do that if so.
Yeah I spray it down once a week usually. Or maybe two weeks. Just depends really
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse im a little confused one comment you said not to worry about humidity because it dries out fast but in this comment you said to rehydrate it 😅
Do you recommend coconut fiber in this mix or is Pete moss better in place of? I currently have coconut fiber and about to get some topsoil and play sand. BUT unsure if I should get Pete moss for my adult bearded dragon (who is used to paper towels ) thanks for your videos they help so much as someone with little experience, who rescued a dragon from someone!
Coco fiber can work
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you !
When the substrate gets dry do I have to spray it? Even if I don’t have isopods?
I’m getting my first bearded dragon soon. Any suggestions for which plants I should put in? Specific names of the plants would help since plants are overwhelming for me lmao
Aloe Vera, snake plants are great as well. Carex grass, fescue grass, dwarf jade plant. Hawthornia succulents, echeveria succulents,
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thanks! And I can plant them in his tank even without cleanup insects, right?
@@The-one-and-only-Fruitcake yes 100% you do not need the insects
Do you need to water the plants at all?
If I can’t find top soil will it still work and what would a good substitute be? My Lowe’s doesn’t have any in stock
If it’s peat moss and play sand 100% will still work
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseokay sweet thank you
Hey, would just play sand be okay for a bearded dragon, or is it best to mox everything in?
Oh yeah that’ll be fine
I have a question about cleaning. How do you sift through the soil and clean up the poop your bearded dragon leaves and also how often do you replace the soil. I heard that poop leaves nitrates that are harmful.
(And pee)
Following. I don’t want a smelly cage
Add isopods and springtails also live plants to make it bioactive and let the bugs handle the poop
I just got my first bearded dragon, a 3 month old named Bilbo. Just wanted to know how much you recommend feeding him? I've watched plenty of videos on it and have seen that babies need to eat a lot but the lady at the pet store said a dozen dubia roaches would last me a week. This doesn't add up to what I've read though so I wanted to get a second opinion
Yeah I don’t think a dozen would last my babies a week. I feed mine as much as they will eat. Once in the morning and once at 3pm.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse that’s what I thought, I went and got more roaches and wax worms to feed him, but I saw where wax worms can’t a staple food for their diet due them being high in fat content, anyways thank you for your reply! Your channel has been a huge help in preparing me getting my beardie
do you change it often? Thank you!
About every 6 months
Do you sanitize the materials at all or do you just use the right out the bag?
I go right out of the bag. I’ve never sanitized them.
Question do you sanitize any of the substrates before adding to the enclosure??
I don’t but you can
@ChiefSweetsUniverse ok just trying to keep my dragon safe i just got him 2 days ago and some people say that you must get reptisoil some say you can do your method but you have to bake it in the oven for a few hours before adding to the enclosure
Made this for my beardie and he loves it
Very nice!
How do you clean this substrate when the bearded dragon uses the bathroom? Should i get isopods? Or can i just use something like a papertowel to just pick up its poop?
Not sure if you'll see this, but I have a question. I'm a new bearded dragon owner. I've had my little guy for about 4 months now. He's going into his first brumation. He's been resting and laying low inside of his hut, just chilling. My question is, does he still require UVB? I keep all the lights including UVB on like usual, but if he stays in his cave for days at a time, will be still develop MBD if he doesn't come out for UVB?
Great video!
Thank you
My beardie is a rescue and has liver problems so she can’t have eggs. I have her on a rock/roll situation but want to do a bio active. Have you had experience with trying to keep ladies from having eggs? Thanks!!
Is this safe for other reptiles or specifically cornsnakes??
Oh yeah 100% I use it for ball pythons
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse can it also be used for white tree frogs as well? Sorry for so many questions
@@EscYourMnd no worries yes I use it for mine as well. Works great for all types of species.
Hey thanks for the vid really thinking about trying it out but I have to ask, is there a large risk of my beardie getting impacted from this mix? Or is it relatively safe for them?
No this is safe impaction occurs from other stuff that contributes to them not being able to digest proper like improper lighting dehydration.
The timberline topsoil I cannot find anywhere they’re out of stock. Is there any other topsoil that you recommend as a substitute?
Usually my enclosures range from 20-30 humidity here in Utah so it’s a bit easier managing. If it gets too bad I can just open a window. How would you recommend decreasing the humidity with that substrate for the first couple days? Should I just let it sit before bringing it into the enclosure?
I feel like it’s perfectly fine to go ahead and put them in right away could simulate a rainy day. the heat lamps will dry it out very quickly.
@@ChiefSweetsUniversethank you! I went out last night and got the material last night. I’m currently about to start the mix!
Do you have to put water in the soil or can you just put the soil in the tank dry?
It’s good cause it usually comes very dry and it helps mix it together but you don’t technically have too
im having mold issues with this sub what cleanup crew can i use for this sub
You need a drainage layer, that will help with over watering and circulation.
I hope this helps😅
I have 1 bearded dragon in a 4x2x2 enclosure. Do you have a " cheaper version " and how much should I buy?
How often do you clean the enclosure besides getting the poop out ?
Every 6 months
Is it neccesary to bake any of this stuff beforehand?
You can but don’t have to.
How often do you clean this out/change it?
If bioactive like once every two years if not I do it every 6 months
Can I use this for a leapord gecko?
Can this substrate work for a savannah monitor?
Yes it would work great
Can I add reptisoil and play sand together as a mixture
Yes
Whats your opinion on the biodude?
Good stuff. Just a bit expensive
Did you consider sterilizing the soil? Any concerns about that?
I don’t. It’s never been a problem. But people do bake it at 250f for a hour to sterilize
Can I use it in my leopard gecko tanks?
100%
Hey dude, I was wondering what would you add if it wasn't clumping together. Planning on doing this for my new beardie enclosure and just want to be prepared. Thanks!
Came looking for the answer to this as well. I’m assuming more water 🤔? Scrolling comments to see if I can find the answer.
I just changed my bearded to soil and he keeps eating the soil, any recommendations on how to stop it
Do you sanitize any of the material before placing it in the tank?
I wash the play sand but other than that I do not
What other brands of top soil would you recommend?
Is there a good top soil i can buy online? I cant find that exact top soil . Also is play sand from lowes okay if it says pet area safe ?
Yes that is ok I got mine from Lowe’s sometimes as well. Scott’s organic top soil is good
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseis earthgro topsoil good? [ I'm at the store rn
@@Mizuaux1027 yes that’s a good one as it doesn’t contain fertilizer
@ChiefSweetsUniverse it doesn't matter that it isn't organic right ? [ thanks for fast reply
@@Mizuaux1027 yeah it’s mostly just peat and some forest stuff mashed up. It’s good
I can't find the top soil you recommend to me. I was wondering if you think Garden Club Garden Top Soil would be good.
Thank you
Happy to help!
Can you use isopod for your breaded dragon cage
Yes
Hey there! I love your videos. Could you please tell me how many bags of each of these products I should I buy for a 72.5 long 18.25 deep terrarium?
I think 1 bag of each will do ya.
What are your thoughts on types of sand? I feel like I want to use authentic Australian sand mostly for aesthetic but also because I am trying to closely replicate my beardies natural habitat. I see you are using play sand but what are your thoughts on calci-sand? To my knowledge so far, calci-sand seems to be limestone. Not sure if that is a viable option and if so are there any pro's to using it in the blend? Thanks in advance!
calci sand is TERRIBLE, it will harm any lizard, just use playsand. or u can use the Australian dessert by joshs frogs or whoever makes it
How about humidity? When it dries out is it still diggable? If that’s a word. What I have now is way too dusty. Oh and for bioactive how often do you water? Sorry for the barrage.
If your going bio active water once every week this helps keep the dirt from getting so dry that it turns in to clumps and it keeps plants alive
Do you have to re-wet the soil if it dries?
Yes I do
Do you spray it every so often?
is this good for baby’s as well?
Oh yeah I’ve used it for babies
Thank you for sharing this, I am wanting to use this for my leopard geckos and bearded dragons. Just have one question, my leopards and dragons are juveniles. Would it be safe to add this in their enclosure while they are still young?
Yeah I use it with my juveniles and they are fine.
Could I use this for my leopard geckos?
Yes this is what I use for my leopard geckos
I just followed your substrate indications but the top soil has a strong smell?
That can happen as it’s sealed and the soil might be moist so it has bacteria that will die off due to it finally airing out.
Is Scott's brand still ok if you cannot find Timberline?
Yes that’s fine I have used Scott’s as well
So I actually did this for my first bearded dragon after watching a different video. I’ve now had him a month and he’s doing great. My biggest question now is do I clean this or just replace all of it. How often should I replace? I have 4 different plants in my enclosure planted directly into the substrate. So far he’s mostly pooping on his rocks or in his baths but I’m a little worried I won’t see or notice if he poops directly on the substrate. Thanks for your videos they helped me a ton on preparing for our little guy!
Did you ever find out?
I can't find the top soil you have in my city. Is there another top soil I can use?
Earth gro top soil. Organic valley top soil. Scott’s organic top soil. Really any organic top soil that doesn’t have manure or fertilizer will work
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Okay, thank you. Do you know how to make a top for an enclosure? My enclosure has a bar in the middle at the top and I can't find one that will fit the top with the bar there.
Why is there little tiny bugs in my substrate mixture?
How often do you change out your substrate kinda. New to the whole bio active thing
I don’t ever change it out myself since it’s just dirt. I do spit clean and grab all the dirt surrounding poop and throw that out so over time I do have to add dirt back to it.
if it dries out how do you keep your isopods and springtails alive
I usually keep it moist
Hey, so I just made a new enclosure for my beardie (with help of your video). I wanted to do this substrate. However, she is only about 5-6 months. So still juvenile. I've read that a loose substrate for a juvenile is not a good idea. Would you agree? Or do you think I'm fine putting it in there? Please help.
Love the channel by the way. You have helped me out a lot.
I put my babies on substrate 1 month old. It’s fine. Happy to help 😁
@Chiefs Universe thank you! Your awesome.
@Chiefs Universe hey so my build is done, I put the substate in there. Made sure to regulate the temps. We put her in there today and I've noticed she's been trying to eat it. It's this normal? Will she stop? Should I take it out?
Does it need peat moss or can I just do organic top soil and play sand
You don’t need the peat moss you can just do organic top soil and play sand
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thanks so much!
Is it safe to put live plants in a bearded dragon enclosure? Wouldn’t that bring humidity to the enclosure due to photosynthesis taking place?
I have live plants in mine and humidity is fine. The heat lamps really take care of any humidity issues.
Our beardy is just throwing this stuff everywhere she absolutely loves it. It does seem to get in her water and food, is it safe if its accidentally ingested?
Yes she will just poop it out. Yes my beardies love digging in the substrate
Hi! How often should I change the mix for my bearded dragon?
About a year
do you think lepoared geckos or bearded dragons are better as a first time reptile owner?
Leopard geckos for space. Leopards geckos don’t really like to be held but bearded dragons don’t mind they just need way bigger tanks.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse last question, if you have a 120 gallon tank could you still use a 12% arcadia 10.0 uv-b light?
The Pete moss is rather wet already when I opened it