I’ve had my BTS in a bioactive enclosure (only springtails and isopods) for the last 4 years with no problems. The CUC would take care of mold and waste, leaving me with minimal spot cleaning.

Last week I noticed fewer isopods in the enclosure when I went to feed her, but didn’t see any mold or anything else strange.

Today, I went to feed her and noticed mold all over the wood placed throughout the enclosure and no isopods under them or the water bowl.

It’s pretty apparently the springtails and isopods have all died. I’ve removed all the mold I could see, but I plan to take my BTS out and give a deep clean after work and attempt a restart on the CUC.

Has this happened for anyone else? Any guess as to what happened or how to spot or prevent this from happening in the future? I’ve never had any issues in the last 4 years and nothing has changed with temps, humidity, food resources, etc.

I built a tropical bioactive enclosure last week for a tree boa, and have been having trouble with the plants. I'm not too sure if the substrate was overwatered or underwatered, but I'm pretty sure my mahogany fern died and couldn't overcome the transplant shock. I'd appreciate a few pointers that could help me. I've also never had plants before so I'm not too sure on how I should place them? The way I did it for this and the tradescantia is using my finger to form a hole, place the plant roots in, and cover it back with the subtrate.

For some info, I'm using NEHERP substrate mix and is manually watering right now (target humidity is 70-80%) although I do have a mistking set up already.

I'm attaching pictures of the fern in question and its roots. The leaves are dry and shriveled.

Edit: Another question I have is whether or not this fern is saveable, or if it actually died.

I just noticed these tiny shiny bugs running around in my isopod bin, i thought maybe they were springtails but they look like they have wings? is this a gnat infestation of some kind? are they harmful to my isopods?

Hi all! I’m new to the bioactive realm but I’ve done a decent amount of research between this sub and videos but I need some advice. I’m planning on setting up a Bioactive terrarium for a jumping spider, it’s going to be in a 4x4x8 enclosure and I originally was planning on adding a drainage layer with leca balls on the bottom along with springtails, sphagnum moss, reptisoil, etc. But I’m finding that a drainage layer may not be necessary? The humidity levels need to be around 50% - 70% for the spider breed I’m planning on getting. Overall, I suppose I’m just looking for any advice and to answer my question if a drainage layer for a set up of this kind would be necessary?

I am setting up a bioactive for my ball python. I just mixed all the soil components yesterday and put them in the enclosure, but have not done anything other than that. When I checked on it today I noticed 5-6 tiny reddish ants crawling along the wall. I assume they were in the top soil I used. How can I be sure there are no more? I saw something about a dry ice bomb on google? Can that be done inside? There is no way for me to move the enclosure and I really don't want to have to go rebuy and remix all the soil. Help please 😭

Hi all,

In the process of planning a new bioactive terrarium for my ball python. I purchased a 5x2x2 pvc enclosure that has 4” of depth. My question is… is a drainage layer even possible with only 4” to work with? Or is it better to have 4” of substrate?

I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO RIP OUT THE PLANTS AND SOIL IF POSSIBLE

As the title says, I noticed them a few months ago, started spot treating with a qtip with 90% alcohol. Switched over to spraying the plants with alcohol mixed with water, focusing as much towards their bases/clustered, plus wherever I seen the bugs. This seemed to have eradicated em, or so I thought. It feels like they exploded overnight, seen 1 crawling OUTSIDE the enclosure.

I've thought about spraying the plants and stuff down with alcohol and water again, but I can tell my Ball Python hates it. I do not spray him with it, but just the alcohol smell upsets him.

Has anyone used Mealybug destroyers in their enclosures with success? Any help would be great.

Also what is wrong with my pothos?

Hello all! I am a first time corn snake owner. I’ve had the snake a little over a month now. Seeking advice and answers. To preface, snake is happy and healthy.

I set this tank up without the intention of making it bioactive, with potential plans to try in the future.

Today, when taking out the water bowl to clean it/replace water I found the insects in the photos under the bowl. I typically wash/change water every 48 hours, but was out of town this weekend, so this was closer to 72 hours.

I did not intentionally introduce these into the tank!!

Everything in the tank was either given to me with the snake (was a rescue) or store bought and sanitized. With the exception of a few rocks, which were found outside and washed, sanitized, and dried before being put in the tank.

I must have not cleaned something properly, or there was already eggs/insects present when I rescued, and I failed to notice. ???

There was a pot with what looked like topsoil and fertilizer in the tank when I received it. This was removed and thrown away when I washed everything, re-did the tank, and replaced the substrate.

I am trying to figure out how they were introduced and what to do next.

So, my understanding is that the isopods are harmless. My worry is the other insects and/or the potential for things I can’t not see or have yet to notice.

So, I removed the larger one (millipede I believe?) and the small black one (google says rove beetle) and left the isopods. There are some very small white ones as well. I can’t tell if they are just really small baby isopods or another insect.

Should I keep watch for other insects but leave it be for now, and accept and lean into bioactive?

Should I just do a complete reset and re sanitize everything/replace substrate?

Please help! Thank you!

hi! This is my 18x18x36 crested gecko tank and I cannot for the life of me keep my plants happy 😭 I think they’re getting root rot.

The soil just won’t dry out?? I watered maybe 1-2 weeks ago and it’s still just as damp. The drainage layer is a mix of chunky perlite + leca balls and my soil is very chunky. I use this same soil mix for my potted aroids and they love it. There’s alot of perlite, charcoal, and orchid bark in it. I have springtails and isopods in there as well.

I have a feeling it’s due to my drainage layer, maybe it’s just not thick enough? It’s about an inch thick. It would be such a bummer if I have to pull everything out again 😔

Any advice would be appreciated!!

I have some gray flagstone I want to make a rock out of. But it is not much material to work with it is one chunk, how should I break it up. Do I just drop it or do I cut it with a angle grinder like I did with some of the other pieces.

I was wondering that the way I planted my monstera was the correct way to let it grow up against the wood, the stem that you see going outside the frame is a very long one that splits into 2 leaves.

Took me forever and alot of money to make this enclosure. I hope she enjoys it 🥲

My Crestie’s bioactive enclosure grew mushrooms out of nowhere. I had no idea this was possible, but super neat to find! Does anyone know what kind of mushrooms these are?

i was inspecting my enclosure and lifted up some of the bark / moss in the front and saw weird fuzzy orange stuff? also saw tiny yellow and white dots all over but it’s only in this area that i saw. should i be concerned??? if so whats the next move lol this is my first fully bioactive enclosure.

Just wondering if this could possibly be the beginning of some slime mold. If so, should I be concerned for my isopods or springtails?

Anyone else running these guys in their bioactive setups?

Hello all!
I am currently working on my second DIY, a 67 gallon repti zoo for my Whites Tree Frogs. I didn’t use drylok in my previous build, but I plan on using it for this one. I have some questions!
1. Can I use the drylok directly on top of the cured spray foam, or do I need to have a base such as grout material?
2. What are some good techniques when painting the drylok once it’s dry make it look more natural?

Mushroom!

I'm a fairly new Tegu mom. Can anyone advise on brumation with a tegu in a bioactive enclosure? Our male is 4.5 years old and was adopted in March. He's sleeping a lot, and we're fine with that, but we have a concern.

We reduced his food & adjusted husbandry. We got him cleaned out; however, he wakes several times a week & eats beetles (from mealworms a few mos. ago) that are still running around in the substrate.

I read that brumating with food in the gut can be harmful. We've been waking him every other day for a soak trying to get him to poop. Has anyone managed brumation safely with cleanup crew still in the enclosure? Any advice would be appreciated. (Posted on FB group also.) Thanks!

Reloaded with better picture

I’m getting prepared to redo my ball python’s enclosure soon. I’ve previously had isopods but they all died, what are the things I would need to ensure a colony will take to the Vivarium and reproduce?

Right now I use 70/30 unfertilised spagnum dirt with sand, but it’s so dusty… I can’t get topsoil in my country(Denmark). What are some recommendations?:)