bioactive terrarium

[Geecko123]

hi, I decided to change my setup a little bit and I would have Eco Earth as my substrate ( I have been using tile ) I would keep my background and hides ( I might change the cool hide ) and do you have any suggestions on plants and how to use Eco Earth, I also would like a clean up crew so if you have suggestions on what to get I am open, I already have some Isopods ( rollie pollies/ pill bugs ) started, they are not going in the tank untill I have the substrate, do Isopods eat leopard gecko waste? I have also heard of using millipeds but I'm worried about him eating them, I am also worried about the rollie pollies eating is favorite bark hide, what clean up crew eats leopard gecko waste, I am very open to critisizime. sorry if this is confusing.

 

[chillwill007]

Hey I'm thinking of going bioactive for my son's track when I set that up and passably changing my daughter's over to that too. I was looking at the bio dude site. He sells whole bio active kits specifically for leopard geckos and other lizards. It comes with substrate, plants, cork hides, leaf litter, and no shot which is like an enzyme that breaks down waste. But he also sells isopods and spring tails that break down the waste. I believe he uses purple isopods.

 

[chillwill007]

Not sure if this is going to work but here is his YouTube video of setting up a leopard gecko bioactive tank

 

[chillwill007]

And then here is that same tank 8 months later

 

[Geecko123]

thanks SO much, this helped A LOT.

 

[chillwill007]

It seems pretty simple and no real have once established

 

[chillwill007]

Sorry so many separate posts but her is a link directly to the leopard gecko kit. He sells them by tank size

https://www.thebiodude.com/collections/gecko-bioactive-kit/products/leopard-gecko-bioactive-kit

 

[Geecko123]

does anyone know if I should use live plants? where do you get those flat shale rocks? can I get my plants and rocks from outside? I would like everyones opinion on this since every one has different preferences and opinions.

 

[Sg612]

does anyone know if I should use live plants? where do you get those flat shale rocks? can I get my plants and rocks from outside? I would like everyones opinion on this since every one has different preferences and opinions.

1)You can use live plants if you want, just make sure it’s reptile safe. I know there was a list somewhere on this forum because I read it in the past. Type it in search and see if your lucky.

2)You can use rocks from outside, however I would take a few cleaning steps:
1.scrub with antibacterial soap
2.rinse
3.soak the rocks in a bucket, 1 part bleach to 10 part water for an hour.
4.rinse, soak in plain water overnight to help remove residue.
5. Air dry for a week before placing in the enclosure.

Please keep in mind that I am not a geologist and don’t know what each rock is comprised off and so you may notice things like fading or change in color. I have boiled rocks(slowly), but there is a risk of explosion.

You can purchase flat rocks at stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[Sg612]

I wouldn’t recommend eco earth it’s too dusty and loose. You want packed substrate that won’t be easily sucked it by their cloaca while defecating. This substrate in the link by bio dude may be ok, however you want to consider the health of your leo and your experience)keeping leos . If you don’t know what is normal behavior yet, it’s likely not wise to go this route.

I’ve never use loose substrate with my leos in part because all were rescues and part of their history was unknown. There can be irreversible damage done when a reptile has a rough beginning. For example a gecko with Cryptosporidium may have intussusception in the bowels which makes digestion and absorption difficult. I had this experience and the Leo looked healthy overall. My point is they can have underlying health conditions which will increase the changes of substrate impaction and you wouldn’t even know.

https://www.thebiodude.com/blogs/the-science-behind-the-soils/the-science-behind-terra-sahara
We do not recommend the use of Terra Sahara if the animal in question has any existing health issues that may put them at risk of becoming impacted.

If you insist to use it, I’d suggest a vet visit at minimum to check hydration and parasite load which can be a problem with impaction as well.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Here's a link of non-toxic plants.

Click: List of non-toxic plants for your terrarium​

Eco Earth's coco fiber alone is nutrient-poor. Coco fiber does not sustain any plant. For starters I suggest plants in pots.

Try short hardy sansevieria (snake plant) planted in a 50:50 mix of good potting soil and sand. Prior to transplanting, rinse you newly purchased sansevieria well. Some sources may have used fertilizer. Keep it relatively dry. Maybe water it 2x per month.

Keeping plants alive in a leo enclosure is tricky, because leos don't seem to be fans of bright lights. Concentrate on low-light plants.

I wonder about all that daytime lighting in Biodude's leo bioactive video.

Don't depend upon side-mounted heat mats to work at all, since heat rises. Heat really does not spread out sideways like Biodude demonstrates.

 

[Geecko123]

thanks a lot, what about the Arcadia Arid earth mix. I have heard it is like eco earth eccept its for arid animals. I have heard a lot of good reviews about it, doo you know about this?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

thanks a lot, what about the Arcadia Arid earth mix. I have heard it is like eco earth eccept its for arid animals. I have heard a lot of good reviews about it, doo you know about this?

I don't know about Arcadia's Arid Earth Mix.

 

[Geecko123]

It has volcanic rock which helps with drainege in it and a lot of nutrients. there are quite a few Youtube videos on it, I am not surprised you don't know about it, it's a very new product.

 

[Sg612]

It has volcanic rock which helps with drainege in it and a lot of nutrients. there are quite a few Youtube videos on it, I am not surprised you don't know about it, it's a very new product.

Let me guess, you got this idea from the young lady on you tube One think I would like to point out is her Leos are housed in wooden enclosures. Holds in heat and humidity helping prevent the health problems common with glass enclosures. If one day you can build an enclosure like this video I’m about to post, I would cheer you on because I know it would be safer. I was super excited when I saw the appropriate ventilation:yahoo: I don’t see this very often and so I had to share it. Bonus: Leo comes out to be nosy like I recently described in the past��. This is how my Leos were.

https://youtu.be/62Tgm7rdgXs

This type of housing can help prevent impaction and substrate health related problems. People outside of the US are more fortunate by having access to appropriate enclosures.

 

[Geecko123]

so could I use it with a glass terrarium?

 

[Sg612]

so could I use it with a glass terrarium?

I can’t say no you can’t, simply that glass enclosures can dehydrate the gecko increasing the risk of impaction.

 

[Geecko123]

Couldn' t just spray the tank down once or twice a week?

 

[Geopard Lecko]

Let me guess, you got this idea from the young lady on you tube

Shes very informative, tho I cannot say I agree with Everything she says, her ways seem to be working well for her an its really cool she shares with us. Her videos helped get my daughters into geckos and well I find her pleasant to listen to (I'm a guy.. :muhaha: )

Couldn' t just spray the tank down once or twice a week?

I would think as long as you keep the humidity at acceptable levels it would be ok. Also it doesnt seem to be very expensive to build pvc foam board enclosures if your just building for one gecko so maybe thats an option?

 

[Geecko123]

I already have a foam background but I would like loose substrate because I would like a bioactive tank and I want substrate Citrine can move.

yes I am refering to the lady on you tube, there is one or two things I don't agree with ( like using a timer instead of a thermostat ) other than that I watch her videos quite a bit.