Bioactive Vivariums...

**lady_bug87** · 08-07-12, 08:43 AM

Hey all just a quick question,

Does anyone have any experience with bioactive vivariums? I am really interested in making one for my GTP, and possibly my ATB

The type of info I am primarily looking for is:
- types of plants to incorporate
- types of substrate (I use pesticide free black earth for my lacteras which is actually works amazingly well as both a substrate and an incubation medium)
- should I put in some night crawlers or something for waste?
- type of building material to make the enclosure

Any and all info would be a great help thanks!

StudentoReptile · 08-07-12, 09:01 AM

Here's a few that I set-up over the years.

various habitats for my crested gecko in college

Exo-Terra 12x12x18 for Pacific dwarf boa

Exo-Terra 18x18x24 for juvenile water dragons

----------------------
This was all mostly 4+ yrs ago, and taken from Philippe de Vosjoli's The Art of Keeping Snakes. My MO was this:

1.) use bulk lava rock chips for the base surface (lots of surface area for bacteria)
2.) stick a small PVC tube in one corner for drainage or maintenance purposes
3.) plant my live flora
4.) add a layer of cypress mulch, soil, coconut coir, or combination of any of the above
5.) add a thin layer of peat or sphagnum moss on the top
6.) decorate with branches, etc.
7.) add other invertebrates as needed

StudentoReptile · 08-07-12, 09:02 AM

Here's a couple more:

Exo-Terra 18x18x18 for adult crested gecko pair

36" Neodesha enclosure for Aesculapian Snake

stephanbakir · 09-05-12, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

What plant is that on the left?

**lady_bug87** · 08-07-12, 09:21 AM

wow those look really incredible any other tips?

StudentoReptile · 08-07-12, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

wow those look really incredible any other tips?

Definitely research plants. Really more of an issue for herbivores and omnivores. In that last photo of mine, that bushy plant is called a snake plant (I think). I was told it was toxic, but kind of an non-issue for a snake or insectivorous gecko.

BarelyBreathing · 08-07-12, 09:39 AM

I have bio-active set ups. I have ATBs in them, too. I prefer sturdy plants for snakes. I use/used pothos, dracaena, and philodendron. For substrate, I use commercial Eco Earth with a false bottom. Some of my enclosures have night crawlers, all of them have wood mites and spring tails. Any materials can be used for a bio-active enclosure. I've set them up in glass, plexiglas, wood, and even Sterilite tubs.

BarelyBreathing · 08-07-12, 09:43 AM

An ATB enclosure (not broken down)

Not a good picture of the entire enclosure, but here's another one (still in use)

**lady_bug87** · 08-07-12, 09:51 AM

yea I would only be doing bioactives for my arboreals and any other I pick up, (Hubby is wanting to get into arboreals and semi arboreals almost exclusively now) I imagine plant ingestion isn't something I would really worry about.

I toyed with making a bioactive for my bearded and planting lettuce lol this way he could prepare his own veggies!!

beardeds4life · 08-07-12, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

yea I would only be doing bioactives for my arboreals and any other I pick up, (Hubby is wanting to get into arboreals and semi arboreals almost exclusively now) I imagine plant ingestion isn't something I would really worry about.

I toyed with making a bioactive for my bearded and planting lettuce lol this way he could prepare his own veggies!!

That is what I am doing with his outdoor pen ( a big reptarium lol). It gets warm enough where I live to live outside in the summer. I am making a desert one (except only as little will have plants)

beardeds4life · 08-07-12, 10:00 AM

I do not have experience with gtp or atp but I know with a lot of animals you can add different species from the same area.

jarich · 08-07-12, 12:37 PM

That layer of rocks/pebbles in the bottom allows for the water to drain out and not mold. A very important part of the live medium. I also will put a layer of volcanic rock or activated charcoal in the bottom too. I usually use a single layer of fibreglass screen on top of that to keep the soil above it separated. Then at least about 4-6 inches of soil. A layer of moss over the top is good too, keeps the soil moist evenly and looks great. Here are a couple of mine and a close up of the sections.

Robyn@SYR · 08-08-12, 07:21 PM

Bio active setups are pretty interesting!

**lady_bug87** · 08-09-12, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

Bio active setups are pretty interesting!

They really are, I think they not only look great but once set up properly are easy to maintain and the plants provide natural hiding and perching spots as well as (in my opinion) creating an environment with better air quality.

Thanks to everyone for providing pictures! Keep them coming

poison123 · 08-24-12, 09:31 AM

oh oh i wanna share mine