Just curious if anyone else has a bioactive setup for their leopard gecko? I just fixed mine up a few days ago after i got the kit from the bio dude. Ive got live plants in there, humidity is good right around 40%, problem is i cant make it to moist in there because i dont need humidity but my springtails and isopods i havent seen for days now im afraid they are dead because it isnt moist enough for them. Anyone have any idea on this?
Leopard gecko bioactive vivarium
- Thread starter ChamoNate
- Start date
There is a Facebook group about bioactive setups which you should look for. The problem, as you've realized, is that desert environments need to be drier than an environment that would support springtails and isopods. One solution is to have a small area that's moist, kind of like a humid hide area. The other solution is to use dermastid beetles instead. They do tend to overpopulate, though some people add vegetable matter for them to eat.
Aliza
Aliza
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I don't recommend dermestid larvae or beetles at all. If they escape they can devour all sorts of things in your home. 
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I actually use a turkey baste injector to inject water into the mid layer of the dirt to retain moisture pockets and also supply water to my plants, this does not increase the humidity at all and should also keep my isopods and springtails alive but i have honestly not seen any since i created this tank two days ago
I don't recommend dermastid larvae or beetles at all. If they escape they can devour all sorts of things in your home.
It may be a climate issue, but I haven't had any problems with this.
Aliza
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I'm glad, Aliza.
Here's what Hilde posted on 6 Sept 2017:
"Springtails and isopods are vegetarian, and need a fair bit of humidity, so they wouldn't work.
There's really no way to remove the dead animal matter using a cleanup crew. Anything that would eat it, could also attack the worms and beetles.
"Some people recommend dermestid beetles, but they come with their own set of problems. The beetles will fly if disturbed. Should they get out, they'll happily munch on any animal products in your house, including wool clothing, carpets, leather, and even dry cat and dog treats that might be stored in the pantry, if they can get in there.
"The easiest way is to use the strainer/sifter method."
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