Bioactive AFT setup planning....

[Jski711]

Hey everyone,

My son and I are looking to setup a natural bioactive setup for some African Fat tails. I have tried to look up some setup but I am having trouble finding a lot of info. I did use the search function and that didn’t work too well either. Any info would be great. Thanks!!!!

 

[acpart]

Here's what I've done for my AFT's: Use the standard drainage layer setup which normally involves a layer of several inches of expanded clay balls ("hydroton" sold at most hydroponics stores), a layer of vinyl mesh cut to size,several inches of ABG or coco fiber substrate. Here's what you do to make it possible to have a hot side: install the hydroton balls in 3/4 of the enclosure. Use the vinyl mesh under the hydroton and wrap it around to contain the balls and keep them to 3/4 of the enclosure. Put the coco fiber substrate on top. The result will be that on the cool side there will be hydroton, vinyl and coco fiber and on the hot side (where you have installed your heat source before doing all this other stuff, obviously) there will be only coco fiber. Put the hides over the coco fiber on this side. I used to plant directly into the substrate but that hasn't worked too well, especially if the AFT's want to lay eggs and dig stuff up. Now I make ceramic pots (you can buy them) and place potted plants int the enclosure. For a cleanup crew, use isopods since it is possible to keep the substrate moist.

Aliza