Keepers have come up with a number of interesting and exciting ways to create increasingly realistic habitats for their pets as the art of vivarium design and maintenance has developed. This includes things like putting misting units up to make it look like rain and keeping multiple species in the same enclosure. However, bioactive vivarium have been used by some keepers to take things even further.
Natural habitats are never cleaned up. Animals urinate, shed their skin, and eventually pass away, leaving behind their lifeless bodies. However, these biological materials do not last forever. These materials are eventually utilized by other organisms, resulting in an endless cycle.
In their habitats, some keepers have begun attempting to recreate these cycles. This is not always simple to do, and it is not suitable for all species or circumstances. However, you should be able to create a bioactive vivarium if you are willing to do some research and experiment.
BUT, WHAT REALLY IS A BIOACTIVE VIVARIUM?
Bioactive vivarium typically looks like natural habitats with plenty of plants and substrates that are appropriate for the environment. Bioactive substrates, if designed and implemented correctly, can make it unnecessary for keepers to remove waste and other materials because they will biodegrade.
Note that, it isn’t simple to make a bioactive substrate that is perfectly balanced and quickly processes waste. However, even a bioactive substrate that is partially balanced and partially breaks down waste and organic debris is very helpful.
CREATING A BIOACTIVE SUBSTRATE
In general, keepers create bioactive substrates by combining a suitable assortment of materials and providing the appropriate environmental conditions for the organisms to thrive. The substrate needs to be properly cared for as well if it is to continue to thrive once it is established.
You can try to create a bioactive substrate for any species, but small pet chameleon or other herpes that live in forested environments do best. This is due to the fact that animals can thrive in smaller enclosures and produce smaller amounts of feces. Keepers attempting to construct a bioactive substrate can benefit from these two characteristics.
BASIC COMPONENTS OF A BIOACTIVE VIVARIUM
Each bioactive vivarium is unique, so “recipes” are somewhat challenging to create. However, the three primary components that will be utilized by the vast majority of bioactive vivarium are as follows:
- Drainage Layer
Common materials for drainage layers include river rock, gravel, or clay pellets. Some keepers even use grate materials made of plastic. However, the drainage layer serves the same purpose regardless of the application: It allows water to drain from the bottom of the vivarium. Though draining layers are not always required, they will typically assist in keeping your substrate from becoming waterlogged.
- Leaf litter
On top of a bulk substrate, leaf litter is frequently added. The litter assists in addressing a number of significant issues. First of all, it gives the small animals and microorganisms that break down waste a good place to live. However, it also provides some of the decomposers with food. Collecting a variety of leaves at various stages of decomposition is typically recommended. Some should have just fallen and remained largely intact, while others should have almost completely decayed leaves and a lot of leaves in the middle of their decay.
- Bulk Substrate
The majority of bioactive substrates contain a bulk substrate in the form of a thick layer. The material used will differ depending on the species kept and the goals of the keeper. However, the best options include orchid bark, soil, coconut husk, and cypress mulch. Keepers will occasionally create a custom blend that includes some kind of soil, bark, sand, or decomposed granite.
Additionally, you might want to incorporate a small amount of forest soil into the substrate you create.
