Going Bioactive have some questions.

[Aerries]

Hey all, so I have a question about substrate, I bought Biodude’s pacman kit and I really like the sub....only problem is that I want to try out making one of my Royals bio but I really can’t afford to spend over 200$ for just one kit. She burrows like no ones business, so what? Peat, play sand, cypress mulch and some topsoil combo to help with humidity And allow her to burrow and not have the tunnels collapse. I think this combo imo could work. Any insight? Thanks again. And here’s my enclosure for my Pacman.


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[distaff]

Deleated, sorry.

[Aerries]

Deleated, sorry.

Why what happened? I didn’t really get to read it cause I’m at work


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[distaff]

Why what happened? I didn’t really get to read it cause I’m at work


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'Cause I went off on more of a rant, than anything, and I realized after posting that I hadn't carefully read YOUR post. Then, there was just too much to unpack, since I'm not altogether clear on what you want to accomplish.

That term, makes me cringe, yet I own two planted tanks, and they have worked well for me for years. Do you want plants? I'm not clear from your post. I have no issues with living soil, I just think people should clean up waste anyway - the snake shouldn't have to live in a compost pile. Also, plants and a bulldozing snake don't always go together, so maybe go with active soil, but don't expect plants to grow well (speaking from experience on that one).

I don't think BP's are the best snake candidate for such a tank, but a few people here seem to have made that work. I also once argued fruitlessly with a newbie who had a cool but small vintage corner tank, and wanted a water feature in it, along with the BP. Ugh. Don't do that, please.

Sorry, another rant about to happen.
I'll try to check back later.

[Aerries]

Plants are not necessary, I’m just going for the ascetically pleasing to the eye look. And see if switching would potentially “trigger” Daenerys to be more of a ball python then she’s been. Mainly encourage her to “create” her own hide as far as customizing it for her own comfort. I would of course started two separate burrows but just enough for her to make it her own. And yes I would be maintaining the sanitation of the tank as well. There would be isopods and springtails. But I doubt they would be able to break down her duces in a acceptable amount of time lol.


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[distaff]

My king likes to burrow. I used regular broken down leaf litter from the back yard, and sheets of bark, also from the back yard. Living soil needs to be light and fluffy, so the sheets hold up the soil. Coir, and frog moss, forest moss, or spagnum moss will help keep it airy. Peet (can work too). I make sure mine is OK for animals. Josh's Frogs and New England Herpetelogical are my sources for the stuff I purchase.

IMHO, a drainage layer is necessary, but some keepers say they do fine without it. What you do NOT want is a layer of mucky soil on the bottom, and this can be hard to avoid if you are going to keep things damp enough for soil organisms to flourish. Hydro balls, or gravel can work. Both get heavy. I prefer sheets of pond filter 1" thick, covered with fiber glass screen. The filter is a matted curly plastic, is lightweight, and can be cut to size. A drainage layer covered with screen allows the soil layer to breath from beneath.

I use dried grasses, dried whole leaves, more dry moss, and more bark on top.

A UTH stuck under the floor will not provide a hot spot for this arrangement. You can sandwich one between two tiles and seal with silicone, and place that IN the tank, but be warned that is "off label" so to speak, you are on your own for safety. (It does however, in my experience, work well.)

[Aerries]

So i think i have a solid mixture that helps with humidity, maintaining burrows, and wont create excess moisture at the very bottom. 1part forest floor, 2part peat moss, 2part eco earth, and lastly .75part playsand. I'm currently testing it with our Pixie Frog Koopa and its holding up very well, its allowing those air pockets needed for the spring tails and isopods to breed and feed off the leaf litter thats mixed in. I also have some Discoids in the mix of it all to help with the aeration of the soil and provide Koopa that instinct of allowing him to "hunt" when they crawl by. I have nightcrawlers also on their way that I'll add as well. I think this is going to work beautifully for Daenerys!

[distaff]

Good.
The viv. should always smell faintly woodsy. If it starts smelling off or swampy, check the bottom surface.