I'm a novice gecko keeper but I think this thing I do might be a good technique for some people: On my backgrounds I like to install them using industrial strength velcro strips. This means my background is modular, and can be replaced with a different one if I wish, or can be removed for cleaning.
I love this video because you showed way cheaper ways to get started on this! I got sucked into buying nice substrate and probably 100$ worth of cork bark when I litearlly have a woods in my backyard, lol
@@alternatereality9901 I've collected pieces of bark, oak leaves, rocks, and some sticks. I wash the rocks and heat the others in either the oven or microwave to try and kill any travelers. Then I let the pieces sit and cool thoroughly before adding them to my enclosure. I've only been raising a leopard gecko for seven months now, but this was advice I gained from websites, discussion boards, and videos. Best of luck!
Do the isopods reproduce by themselves? Or do they need to be replenished every so often? Put some in my leopard gecko tank, but haven't seen them since. No idea if they're all dead, got eaten, or just doing their thing lol
They do reproduce by themselves. It does take a little while but when they do they reproduce a lot. Definitely make sure they have leaves to much on and they will be perfect happy they will also dig deep in the substrate sometimes so you won’t see them
You should be able to purchase isopods online or at small pet stores (NOT PETCO OR PETSMART). Isopods are not intended as feeder insects, but your gecko might snack on one if it sees them out and about. As far as I can tell this doesnt harm the gecko in any way.
Great video! Thank you for the very clear and simple instructions! Is the clay necessary for the top substrate? I got a stone desert sand substrate but, do I need to add clay? If so, do you have a brand and how much clay to sand in the mixture? Also, could you make an upkeep video for this tank? I’m interested in maintaining this setup for my cleanup crew as well as my gecko. Maybe add some positive and negative signs and possible trouble shooting? I just want the confidence to continue with this kind of bio active tank. Thank you for your time!
Great video. New subscriber and new dad to 2 leopard geckos. Had them about 2 months now. Your videos are great and very informative. Can you do an update video on this enclosure.
nice we got that carpet that came with the tank kit for our new gecko but i really want to try this... im baking some wooden sticks right now for a natural vibe.
Love your videos! I plan to replicate your substrate mix but was curious as to where the nutrients for the plants were coming from, would it come from poop and the crew? Also, is that rocky top layer necessary? And can I add a drainage layer because I saw you didn’t meanwhile some do, etc? Is there any Home Depot alternatives to drainage too? (Sorry for all the questions 🥲)
The peat moss is dead moss so the isopods will eat on that and the leaves and will turn it into some good nutrient rich soil for the plants. You can add a drainage layer but it’s not necessary. No worries about the questions happy to help
The soil underneath and under rocks. That’s why I place many rocks. The rocks and top soil kind of seal in moisture below creates a nice environment for them. Also I did add lots of leaf litter in crevices as well
Looks amazing! The only things I worry about are how sanitary is the peat from home depot and the twigs from outside? Shouldn't they be sanitized with a 200 degree trip to the oven so no unwanted parasites come in? That's what makes cork bark safe.
So parasites are usually transmitted through fecal matter or through eating contaminated food like insects. Also parasites are usually around other animals since they are the carriers pet stores are actually the number one place of parasite transmission in captivity. Home Depot is just dirt with no animals around so wayyyy less likely to be a carrier of parasites. the only thing you would get from the dirt is gnats.
Im getting ready to start a bioactive tank for my juvenile leo...Is the sand you used safe for the Leo's? I've read a lot of conflicting info about sand...does mixing it with moss negate the risks of using it?
Anytime you have a loose substrate there will be risk of the gecko eating it. I have loose substrate but I hand feed mine or put worms in a dish to minimize the risk
I have two questions. First, how many bags of exo terra did you use for the top layer and second, When you collect leaves, sticks, or bark from outside, how do you dissinfect it?
I want to do this for my Leo but I have a question. Do I need to wait a month for the tank to settle before adding my little girl? Or is that more of a humid bioactive tank thing?
are heat mats strong enough to penetrate through the substrates? i’m thinking abt transferring my leopards gecko to bioactive for enrichment but im worried abt it bc of all the controversy. any tips are very welcome!!!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse I’m sorry for asking another question but I want to make sure I set my tank up well. What specific kinds of isopods and springtails do you use in the substrate?
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseTy! I ended up mixing sand and bioactive dirt. The plants I used for the enclosure are succulents. Im not sure if the succulents will survive but I heard they’re tough plants
No need drainage layers actually harm lots of plant growth. Adding a drainage layer creates a perched water table due to the balance between gravity pulling water down versus capillary action wicking water up. Where those two forces balance sets the height of the perched water table in a pot. When you add a drainage layer, that shifts that perched water table UP closer to roots.
Thank you! I've had my.guy like 10 years and I'm still learning. He's about to be SO happy! ❤
Very nice! He will be blown away for sure
I'm a novice gecko keeper but I think this thing I do might be a good technique for some people: On my backgrounds I like to install them using industrial strength velcro strips. This means my background is modular, and can be replaced with a different one if I wish, or can be removed for cleaning.
I love this video because you showed way cheaper ways to get started on this! I got sucked into buying nice substrate and probably 100$ worth of cork bark when I litearlly have a woods in my backyard, lol
Oh yeah the outdoors is a great place to get stuff. Been doing it for years and scored some great pieces
@@ChiefSweetsUniversedo you disinfect them in any way ?
@@alternatereality9901 I've collected pieces of bark, oak leaves, rocks, and some sticks. I wash the rocks and heat the others in either the oven or microwave to try and kill any travelers. Then I let the pieces sit and cool thoroughly before adding them to my enclosure. I've only been raising a leopard gecko for seven months now, but this was advice I gained from websites, discussion boards, and videos. Best of luck!
She looks so cute and cozy in her new home
Thank you so much!
Do the isopods reproduce by themselves? Or do they need to be replenished every so often? Put some in my leopard gecko tank, but haven't seen them since. No idea if they're all dead, got eaten, or just doing their thing lol
They do reproduce by themselves. It does take a little while but when they do they reproduce a lot. Definitely make sure they have leaves to much on and they will be perfect happy they will also dig deep in the substrate sometimes so you won’t see them
Where do you get the isopods and how many? Is this separate from what you feed the gecko? Thanks :)
You should be able to purchase isopods online or at small pet stores (NOT PETCO OR PETSMART). Isopods are not intended as feeder insects, but your gecko might snack on one if it sees them out and about. As far as I can tell this doesnt harm the gecko in any way.
I promise they are in there lol
How moist do you keep the substrate? I'm assuming it's not very moist at all but you'd have to have some moisture otherwise the springtails will die
Great video! Thank you for the very clear and simple instructions!
Is the clay necessary for the top substrate? I got a stone desert sand substrate but, do I need to add clay? If so, do you have a brand and how much clay to sand in the mixture?
Also, could you make an upkeep video for this tank? I’m interested in maintaining this setup for my cleanup crew as well as my gecko. Maybe add some positive and negative signs and possible trouble shooting? I just want the confidence to continue with this kind of bio active tank.
Thank you for your time!
Cant wait to try this
Awesome ❤️ thank you! 🦎
Happy to help
Great video. New subscriber and new dad to 2 leopard geckos. Had them about 2 months now. Your videos are great and very informative. Can you do an update video on this enclosure.
Yes! Will do as soon as I can. The succulents are going crazy!
commenting to boost bc this is a very good video about bio active setups
Appreciate you
Exactly, totally perfect! Well, minus the Jade plants. My geckos would destroy them in just a few days, silly things 😊
Thank you! Surprisingly my gecko hasn’t broken any at all. It’s grown in quite well.
nice we got that carpet that came with the tank kit for our new gecko but i really want to try this... im baking some wooden sticks right now for a natural vibe.
Hey you shouldn’t use reptile carpet btw, they can get their claws or even teeth stuck in it sometimes which can result in loving fingers or toes
@@hmrworld2925 ditch that carpet it harbors bacteria and disease. Plus they can lose toes
Nice bro you deserve way more subs!
Maybe he prefers pizza ? 🍕 🤔
Great idea on the spray foam
Thank you
Did you use any fertilizer for the plants because when I try to plant them they end up dying
Love your videos! I plan to replicate your substrate mix but was curious as to where the nutrients for the plants were coming from, would it come from poop and the crew? Also, is that rocky top layer necessary? And can I add a drainage layer because I saw you didn’t meanwhile some do, etc? Is there any Home Depot alternatives to drainage too? (Sorry for all the questions 🥲)
The peat moss is dead moss so the isopods will eat on that and the leaves and will turn it into some good nutrient rich soil for the plants. You can add a drainage layer but it’s not necessary. No worries about the questions happy to help
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse Omg you actually replied! Tysm, you are very helpful! Love your videos! ☺️
@@PotatoInk101 happy to help!
How do the isopods survive in a dry environment? Any tips? I have a crested I do a bio active for, but have been considering doing it from my leo
The soil underneath and under rocks. That’s why I place many rocks. The rocks and top soil kind of seal in moisture below creates a nice environment for them. Also I did add lots of leaf litter in crevices as well
setup starts at 3:50
Looks amazing! The only things I worry about are how sanitary is the peat from home depot and the twigs from outside? Shouldn't they be sanitized with a 200 degree trip to the oven so no unwanted parasites come in? That's what makes cork bark safe.
So parasites are usually transmitted through fecal matter or through eating contaminated food like insects. Also parasites are usually around other animals since they are the carriers pet stores are actually the number one place of parasite transmission in captivity. Home Depot is just dirt with no animals around so wayyyy less likely to be a carrier of parasites. the only thing you would get from the dirt is gnats.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse how many isopods should go in a 40 gallon ??
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse how many isopods should go in a 40 gallon ??
@@renesosa4107like ten they will multiply
Algorithm to commenting boost
Appreciate ya
Thank you for this video! I used a lot of bones in my gecko's enclosure hehe
Very nice!
How many isopods and springtails should you start with for a 40 gallon leopard gecko tank?
Hi! Thanks for the informative video :) Very helpful! Just one question, what kind of sand did you use to mix with the peat moss? Thanks!
He usually use play sand
Im getting ready to start a bioactive tank for my juvenile leo...Is the sand you used safe for the Leo's? I've read a lot of conflicting info about sand...does mixing it with moss negate the risks of using it?
I was thinking the same thing
Anytime you have a loose substrate there will be risk of the gecko eating it. I have loose substrate but I hand feed mine or put worms in a dish to minimize the risk
Also if it’s not much they are fine and will poop it out just can’t be taking mouthfuls of it
Can you make a video on bearded dragons on what to do right when you bring them home -dumb request tbh
Not a dumb question I’ll definitely add it to my list!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse ty I’m gonna get my beardie soon so I wanna know what to do on the first day/week
Is there a way to just buy the background? I have the same size tank and have been on the hunt for an affordable 3d background that actually fits.
Hmm idk but I made a video on how to make a custom one for this exact tank recently
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseThanks! I’ll go watch it.
Awesome content to have! :D
Thank you
I have two questions. First, how many bags of exo terra did you use for the top layer and second, When you collect leaves, sticks, or bark from outside, how do you dissinfect it?
Two bags of stone desert and I didn’t disinfect anything
Should I use a fish tank style enclosure where it’s see through all round or stick with the classic vivarium with the one glass panel on the front
I like the vivs with just a front opening
did you put the leopard gecko in immediately or did you have to wait a while?
wait a week-month so the plants and clean up crew to take hold
1:14 the background
2:42 the substrate
3:29 the second substrate plus the accessories and bulb
5:19 iso pods and outro
(Idk if this will help anyone.)
with the lights for the succulents, how long should they stay on?
Morning to night. 7am to 7pm
I want to do this for my Leo but I have a question. Do I need to wait a month for the tank to settle before adding my little girl? Or is that more of a humid bioactive tank thing?
Don’t have to at all can add them in right away
How do i change out the substrate with isopods in it?
You don’t need to change the substrate for multiple years- that’s the point of having springtails & isopods
are heat mats strong enough to penetrate through the substrates? i’m thinking abt transferring my leopards gecko to bioactive for enrichment but im worried abt it bc of all the controversy. any tips are very welcome!!!
If you go bioactive you’ll have to go with lights. I don’t use heat mats. Super easy I have a bioactive guide as well
Great video! I do have a couple questions. Would the moist hide be on the hot or cool side, and then would you have to mist it still?
You can have it on either side if it’s on the hot side you’ll have to spray it more since it’ll evaporate more water than the cold side
Thanks!
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse I’m sorry for asking another question but I want to make sure I set my tank up well. What specific kinds of isopods and springtails do you use in the substrate?
I was told pure sand is fine for leos and isopods/springtails can be bad because leos might eat them. Thoughts?
If they eat them wouldn’t matter. Also pure sand would be bad since they don’t come from pure sand areas
@@ChiefSweetsUniverseTy! I ended up mixing sand and bioactive dirt. The plants I used for the enclosure are succulents. Im not sure if the succulents will survive but I heard they’re tough plants
I read that leopard geckos can get impacted by the sand. Is this true?
No impaction occurs for bad care. So like dehydration would cause them to be impacted but it could be by anything. Food, dirt, calcium.
I did this today but my tank is at 80% humidity and i don’t know what to do can you please help me.
perfectly fine the tanks humidity will level out once the heat lamps dry it out over the next few days
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse okay thank you i was worried
How do you stop the succulents drying out and dying? Even succulents need watering sometimes
Just water it every now and then
How do you deal with high humidity levels with this set up
No issue at all. If anything I have to add water once a month. Not really issue with humidity
Yo how do we know that the little amount of dirt/sand they pick up off food won't kill em?
Just pay attention to bowel movement and behavior?
They naturally just poop it out if they accidentally get some in but they encounter this in the wild totally fine
i know this is a late comment butttt how many should i go with (isopods) for a 18x18x24
20 will be a good starter
I have a question any one can answer but do u need that top substrate or would a Leo be fine on just that sand soil mix
They would be fine on the sandy soil mix
Thank u😊
what types of plants are the isopods or springtails attracted to?
Dead leaves and like to hide under rocks
❤❤❤
😊
How do you give the plants water
I just pour water in the tank every now and then
Where did you order the 3d background? I cant seem to find them for that specific tank
This one came with the tank. I don’t think they sell it but universal rocks is expensive but have some reallly dope ones
How do you clean the branches before putting them in?
I’ll have a video dropping soon on how I do it
Hey man! I know this is 4 months old but do you bake any of this?
I do not
Yooooooo ima ecu tiger too 🐯
Heyoooo small world!
I believe Peat moss is rich in tannins
It is rich in tannins but not harmful to the reptiles.
Hello! Are you going to Pomona in January?!
I am not but someday I will
Where did you order the LED lights for the plants?
Walmart
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse thank you so much do you mind telling me exactly what light it was?
For a bio active tank like this how often would the substrate need to be changed if at all?
I never change it
you can get springtails or isopods to help!
@@hayesvallywhere do you get them?
@@Slapasaurus1423 online or your local reptile store
Where do you get the isopods?
Joshes frogs and expos
Why did you not do a drainage layer?
Not really needed at all. I never do drainage layers and my plants grow crazy well
Fuckin raddd
Thank you
How does it get water
Why no drainage layer ?
No need drainage layers actually harm lots of plant growth. Adding a drainage layer creates a perched water table due to the balance between gravity pulling water down versus capillary action wicking water up. Where those two forces balance sets the height of the perched water table in a pot. When you add a drainage layer, that shifts that perched water table UP closer to roots.
@@ChiefSweetsUniverse oh okay good to know I really appreciate the response I was feeling off by not adding the drainage layer
@@zarawte happy to help!
I bought a mated pair of leopard geckos 3 years ago hoping they would reproduce.
Nothing !!
I think the boy has reptile dysfunction..🤔
Haha maybe he does
how do you clean it?
Cleans itself
He put isopods and springtails in there which eat the geckos waste if you needed to clean anything it would just be wiping the glass
There’s two descriptions because 50 “US liquid gallons” is equal to about 40 “imperial gallons”. Confusing I know
Thank you so much that was a good explanation
Algorithm boost
5:08 bug
Hi
Any one byer off gecko leopord
Not yet
Awesome video, I just went to repticon today and it made me wanna get into reptiles and this gave me a good idea of what to do for an enclosure 🫶🏼
Thank you! Hope you come into the world of reptiles. They are awesome