Terra Sahara provides excellent organic nutrition for your vivarium by creating necessary air pockets for root development and plant health. Layer 4 (above the substrate) The true meaning of bioactive comes from these small organisms that are seeded into your terrarium after the previous steps have been fulfilled. These are also really… October 15, 2020 October 19, 2020 Harmony. Our Complete Vivarium Kits include everything necessary to turn any common enclosure into a beautiful and long lasting bioactive terrarium. This is the main source that should always be provided. They are very high in calcium, minerals, and vitamins that are a great supplemental source of food found naturally in the tank. Terra Sahara, a one of a kind substrate is designed to hold the perfect amount of water while allowing for evaporation, preventing anaerobic bacteria growth, which is a common issue in desert terraria. It is very important to mix in valuable biodegradeables into you substrate. Since then, it has been very hard for hobbyists to replicate the same results themselves for different biomes, such as temperate forests, deciduous forests, plains, desert and even different types of neo-tropical habitats. A good vivarium substrate drains properly while retaining the right amount of moisture, has the nutrients your live plants need, and contains beneficial microorganisms to help break down waste. What Is a Bioactive Vivarium? Fruit Fly Media, Insect Gutloader, Gecko Diets,  Some substrates are examples of products where some sort of the life stage of the grain mite will be present. Written by The Dude himself, Josh Halterwww.thebiodude.com. In almost every area of the world where life is supported, there are millions of different biological processes that happen right under our feet and above our heads. A bioactive terrarium usually involves several elements that work together in balance to create a naturalistic, aesthetically pleasing home for reptiles and amphibians. Reach out to us and we can help you at customercare@thebiodude.com or 717-305-0684. FAST & FREE. How do I go bioactive with a Terra Sahara setup? Below the substrate, you will need a drainage layer. From time to time, you may need to siphon the excess water from your drainage layer. In any terrarium the soil is the most important part of the setup. Marcel runs the place around here. October 9, 2020 October 19, 2020 Harmony. To maintain these different balances each living organism has a unique role to play, in which it will either benefit the ecosystem or cause an abrupt change. Alternatively, you can use any of the premixed ABG mixes available. These microorganisms will breed very quickly in the tank and create a small micropopulation that will establish quickly in your terrarium. The detrivores and biological processes established in the tank will break down feces and other decaying matter which recycle nutrients back into the soil, thus keeping the substrate fresh and ready for the next generation. With a bit of careful waterproofing you can even convert melamine and wooden enclosures bioactive. When maintained appropriately, your substrate will take on water. I am constantly looking for new houseplants to gradually transform my apartment into an urban jungle. With a dense substrate that retains proper air pockets to aerate appropriately the substrate will have various humidity pockets in which your reptile can easily rehydrate, shed and have clean, fresh air in their terrarium. While they are commonly bred in captivity they are still wild animals that need to be treated as such. Custom Made Bioactive Vivarium Terrarium Paludarium. Natural Wood Decorations for Bioactive Enclosures . You could, but we would suggest against it. If the water level gets too close to the substrate, simply siphon out the excess water. Not only do many reptiles prefer to have live plants in the terrarium, but  it also provides many different types of benefits for them. If you do not want to create your own mix, the ABG mix (mentioned above) is a great tool for very high humid terrariums, but that too will eventually breakdown into a very large orchid based substrate over time. Having springtails in your soil is a positive thing as they help to control the health of the soil and are beneficial for your plants. Not only will different invertebrates utilize these to help maintain burrows, dens and tunnels, but it will also become a microbial hotspot for beneficial fungi and bacteria. Many times you will see whether the isopods were chewing on something as whole pieces will be missing and chunks of it can be gone until all the food vanishes. After initial setup, or even months after initial setup one may notice things in their vivarium that they have absolutely no idea how they got there or what their function in the vivarium is. This mixture will ensure that your substrate is both airy but will be able to hold humidity. Not only does it hold a burrow, it also holds a complete tunnel when the moisture content is held at 25%-40%. While these flies produce in smaller amounts, they breed rather quickly and can get out of hand if not taken care of immediately. Ensure the wood has no sharp edges (these can be sanded smooth) or holes where your reptile could get stuck. Refer a friend and they get $10 credit and you'll receive 200 Dude Bucks after they place their order. Excess water will fall through and sit directly into the bottom of the drainage layer. Soil ingredients such as coco coir, peat moss, sand, charcoal, orchid bark, Spag moss and other things can all be used and mixed to your liking, but it is very important to know that the soil is aligning with the humidity and biome requirements. As these microscopic processes breakdown matter, they create Nitrogen and other important organic compounds that are utilized by plant roots. Also written by Pete Hawkins Bearded Dragons and shedding . :: Page 2 . If you are looking for a drainage layer that is very light, 100% natural with no glass that fully aerates and drains, the Bio Dude’s HydroGrow is recommended. Detrivores such as isopods and springtails are the most commonly seen. A vivarium is the natural habitat of the snake. Perfect, high quality reptile housing with best prices & speedy delivery options too! But what does it mean to have a Bioactive Vivarium? In addition, you can buy all kind of isopod foods that have been specifically developed for isopods. Usually, you will be lucky enough to not have a queen present in the vivarium, so the ants will just wither and die on their own. Specifically, if you are dealing with more tropical plants, humidity needs become a big topic. This video is part of a series where I show how I build a automated, bioactive vivarium. Complete Vivarium Kits The best bioactive terrarium kits, totally customizable by you! If you prefer to utilize your own, handmade mixes, it is very important to understand how well the soil drains, aerates and if you are going to need a drainage layer. In this article the Dude will discuss the different types of fauna, how to handle it, if they are a problem or a benefit in your vivarium. Many times hobbyists will setup a terrarium and have to break it down months later because of the microbial build up in the soil, as well as the death of plants from using soil that becomes water clogged. or Best Offer. Springtails are another tank janitor, but besides breaking down decaying matter they also flow through the soil. If you do not mind them eating some of your plants, let them roam. These kits include an upgraded plant light (the Dude’s Glow and Grow instead of the Solar Grow), more plants, wood and carry a higher price point (but bigger discount) than the Dude’s basic species specific bioactive kits. This is usually accomplished by adding leaf litter and sphagnum moss. From the larva stage their evolution happens quickly as they are vulnerable. The drainage layer used in the likes of my bioactive Chameleon set-up’s, are not needed. The vivarium setup for my young Corn Snake. If you do not want to create your own mixes, the Bio Dude is pleased to offer a full range of bioactive substrates to cater to the needs of each biome while taking the needs and instinctual niches of the inhabitants in to consideration. A vivarium is an enclosed, live ecosystem, containing flora and fauna that are typically tropical in nature. Bioactive Vivariums are a great way to prevent mould to build and to ensure your plants are not rotting under such circumstances. Taking care of houseplants is one of my greatest passions. Bioactive enclosures are often maintained as display terraria constructed of PVC, wood, glass and/or acrylic. Survival of the fittest at it’s best. They will decompose pretty much everything that is not soil, feces, logs, dead organic matter, and turn it right back into nutrient rich soil. These microorganisms will breed very quickly in the tank and create a small micropopulation that will establish quickly in your terrarium. Remove any loose bits including bark and leaves. A height of several inches or centimeters is sufficient to collect the water. They will quickly chase down a piece of decaying matter, cover it, and devour it very quickly. Not only does the Terra Firma not need a drainage layer, its design allows for proper water retention while holding all burrows and tunnels your critter creates! Isopods can range from 8$ per 12 isopods to 50$ per single isopod for some of the rarer isopods. Poor soil consistency will quickly kill the terrarium and can even cause damage or death to the inhabitant. Terra Sahara provides excellent organic nutrition for your vivarium by creating necessary air pockets for root development and plant health. Once the glue is activated it will … You also can construct your own hides using rocks, wood, or clay. Layer 2 (above the substrate) The true meaning of bioactive comes from these small organisms that are seeded into your terrarium after the previous steps have been fulfilled. Wooden stands; Gallery. If you do not eliminate all mites and their life cycle they will re-appear again causing you to re-treat the afflicted. A screen on top of the drainage layer can help to separate out of the soil and drainage layer. As your vivarium develops and changes, the springtails and isopods will outcompete the gnats driving their populations down and eventually eliminating them completely. This mix should have at least a  3” layer in the terrarium. Another great benefit to bioactive is the money saving aspect. Once you have everything needed for the different layers you can first put the drainage layer such as leca pebbles into your bioactive vivarium. In this article, I will discuss how these different processes and cycles must be replicated, as closely as possible in a captive environment when keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets. It is one of the largest land isopods discovered to date. Jun 14, 2019 - Explore Marly McGuire Beaudoin's board "bioactive vivarium" on Pinterest. The medium grade is best for most vivarium uses. The soil is the backbone for live plants, water drainage, and tank maintenance. How do I setup a Terra Aranea Bioactive Terrarium? Fungus Gnats -  Probably the most common complaint for new vivarium owners. But Isopods are fascinating animals and there are hundreds of different types. As long as the water line does not exceed the drainage layer into the substrate, the proper soil will maintain, cycle and flourish for the life of the animal. Let’s have a look at the most commonly used clean-up crew combo: Springtails are tiny animals, that are technically not insects because they have internal mouthparts, whilst insects all have external mouthparts. Reptile and Amphibian UVB Bulbs and Fixtures, Terraria Heating Fixtures and Under Tank Heaters, Reptile and Amphibian Caresheets with cited veterinary and herpetology sources. Not sure which is best for your animal? The right substrate, drainage layer and mesh ensure that the substrate of your vivarium does not oversaturate with water as this would build up anaerobic bacteria that would quickly kill every living organism in our enclosure. In addition, they feed on fungi and rotting roots and do not harm your plants! The soil is the backbone for live plants, water drainage, and tank maintenance. It is also very important to understand their needs as an animal, if they are arboreal, you want a taller cage. When keeping you clean up crew, you need to make sure that they have enough food. It also allows you to provide a natural setup for your wild animal. These annoying winged creatures are attracted to moist surfaces and stagnant water. How do I create a Terra Sahara BioActive Vivarium. We have hundreds of models in stock from leading brand VivExotic which are ide... 0161 351 4700. Any terrarium can be made bioactive by addition of the appropriate substrate, plants, and detritivores. Using charcoal will mimic a natural environment where wildfires happen and will keep the ph level of the substrate used in-check. Not only does it hold a burrow, it also holds a complete tunnel when the moisture content is held at 25%-40%. Vivarium’s, are typically used for observation or research. £91.74 £ 91. Really small isopods such as Dwarf White Isopods are often too small to even be spotted by animals and can hide quite well due to their size. andcrafted bioactive substrate for reptiles such as bearded dragons, uromastyx, leopard geckos, and other desert dwelling reptiles. Keeping reptiles and amphibians in a 100% organic, self-cleaning, self-maintaining setup will allow you to closely replicate their natural environment, which in turn nurtures the natural instinctual niches that make these animals so unique to begin with. See more ideas about Gecko terrarium, Reptile terrarium, Gecko vivarium. Some are colourful, they come in sizes big and small and they can be beneficial to your plants and bioactive setups. On top of the mesh, you finally put the substrate. Bioactive enclosures in laboratory "rack" style caging are uncommon. Recent Articles . In-between the drainage layer and the substrate you need some kind of mesh that prevents parts from the substrate to get into the drainage layer and vice-versa. Crested geckos, bugs etc a forest floor looking for food I add identical holes to... Fruit fly cultures etc in the tank dragons and shedding springtails can be bioactive. Right ground substrate is specifically designed for biomes that can find their way into vivarium! To yank the soil which help with drainage, and the composition of drainage. Very thin garden netting or mesh until saturated, but besides breaking down decaying to! The decaying matter, cover it, will fly in and out of hand if not taken care houseplants... 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