PDA

View Full Version : Combining Bio Substrate with 3d backgrounds


jjhill001
02-16-15, 11:03 PM
Alright, I've had snakes that poop in one corner and some that spread out the doooooo. I am planning a large enclosure with a custom rock background and a natural bio-active substrate with plants for my Baird's rat snakes when they get older. For those that have similar setups how do you go about cleaning a permanent structure if it gets pooed on? Just wipe it off? Clean it with something special?

Thanks.

herplover
02-17-15, 07:42 PM
I love those types of setups because they look great. Your question here is the only reason I havent set one up myself. Hopefully someone has a good idea on maintenance and I'll set up some like that myself.

Minkness
02-17-15, 07:54 PM
Personally I just wipe mine down with a damp cloth. But the poo that's on it is crestie poo and it's easy to clean. However, the next one I plan on doing will be done in grout and be removable. The sealant I'll be using is 100% water proof after 5 coats and can even be used in fish tanks! So, with the right materials, cleaning isn't difficult at all. =)

I plan on doing a bioactive with the grout bg as well so will let you know how that goes when I get around to it lol

Derek1
02-17-15, 08:27 PM
Add Springtails and some Doodlebugs and they will take care of it. Follow Josh's Frogs directions on the Springtails with burying some of the charcoal. I have mine on Bio and my Garter on a 3D. Granted it's a homemade foam 3D, but he pooped on a ledge a while back and I just decided to watch and see. It was gone within a few days. It will take a couple months for your Bio to really get rockin. But when it does, it's awesome.

I don't believe the springtails or the doodlebugs took care of that poop on the ledge. But beneficial bio microbes did. Bio activity is amazing.

Minkness
02-17-15, 08:43 PM
Curious about the cleaning crew.. if you have an insectivore, will they eat all the little bugs?

Derek1
02-17-15, 09:40 PM
Curious about the cleaning crew.. if you have an insectivore, will they eat all the little bugs?

Sure. They will eat some but not all. And the cycle repeats itself if you're keeping a good bioactive environment.

Tsubaki
02-19-15, 07:00 AM
I started making backgrounds in my natural vivs today, i will be using Epoxy resin to seal them. If i wanted to i could even clean that with a high pressure cleaner.. Very strong :) But a sponge and some water/vinegar mix will probably do.