Quote:
Originally Posted by Shauna0522
Hi everyone,
So I want to go bioactive for my BRB. I have looked at BoiDude's starter kits for this and I basically have everything in my substrate that is in his kit except his bio shot which is a supplement of beneficial micro organisms and the nutrients for bioactive vivariums. Does anyone know if I absolutely need that in my substrate? I am also wondering if I can get maple leaves off my tree to add into my vivarium for the isopods to eat, would it be ok for me to get earthworms out of my yard and do I have to have springtails and isopods or can I just have isopods?
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I started up my bioactive setup also using the biodude's products a few months ago. Before he released his bioshot stuff so I can't comment on that. It's not so much oxygen from what I understand but it's basically a slurry of the beneficial fungi and stuff that eventually finds its way into your substrate after a few months of the isopods and springtails munching on the leaves and pooping and such.
People have been doing bioactive for ages without such a thing so I wouldn't say that it's necessary at all. More of a bonus than anything.
Unfortunately at the moment the biodude's shipping for bugs is kind of outrageous, I got both isopods and springtails initially but found that they weren't really taking to the terrarium that well so I wanted to supplement the population a bit. I found reptile ready feeders online and ordered their 8.95 temperate springtail culture and their 11.95 count of the white isopods. It came with ALOT more bugs than what came with my biodude order and was only 30 bucks shipped if I remember right, I now have isos and springtails all over in the enclosure and they are doing a pretty good job of breaking down waste already.
https://www.readyreptilefeeders.com/...tegory&path=70
In regards to your leaves. I had leftover leaves from a previous project for a terrarium but also supplemented that with some oak leaves from outside. I would freeze these before using them in your terrarium. The only reason is that when I didn't I ended up releasing a few tiny spiders that started making webs that I've had to kill every now and then when I find them and I'm sure they are eating some of my bugs.
As far as worms, I don't really think they're necessary to be honest though probably wouldn't hurt your terrarium at all to be honest.
I hope I was able to help you out if you have any other questions hit me up either here or PM and I'll be more than happy to educate you some on what I've learned throughout this experience.
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