Best tank for a bioactive setup?

Hi guys! I've been doing research on bioactive setups and I think that's what I'm going to plan to do in the future. Right now my BP is doing well in his enclosure so I don't want to mess with it untill he grows a bit more. But I would like to get the research down.

I am aware it's not necessary, however, I just basically want to do it!

The thing is, can I do a bioactive setup in a wooden vivarium? Or even an Animal Plastics type of cage? Or does it need to have a screen on the top?

I have the Animal Plastics T8, but have not set up a bioactive enclosure within. I've been interested in the idea as well, though have opted not to go that route... for now. So, I have no experience in bioactive setups to answer your question, but I will say that the T8 has a low lip before stuff starts spilling out. I think for a bioactive setup you're going to need deeper substrate, making the T8 challenging, if not outright impossible, to achieve.

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Originally Posted by Charles8088

I have the Animal Plastics T8, but have not set up a bioactive enclosure within. I've been interested in the idea as well, though have opted not to go that route... for now. So, I have no experience in bioactive setups to answer your question, but I will say that the T8 has a low lip before stuff starts spilling out. I think for a bioactive setup you're going to need deeper substrate, making the T8 challenging, if not outright impossible, to achieve.

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Hm okay that's good to know! I just asked someone on YouTube who uses a wooden vivarium and they said it works but the wood is a pain, which makes me think it is possible. She's didn't answer my question about how the humidity works, but I could ask again!

I've seen a few people do setups for their bps but i mostly see glass enclosures. So I may have to go that route :/

I was initially considering a bioactive tank for the bp that I don't have yet... so, I did some research into it (googling, and the forum here). If you haven't read it already, here's a thread I started regarding that:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ctive-Question

There's a few people on here that have the bioactive setup... one who particularly comes to mind is Slither Sleeker. I really don't recall his exact setup, and too tired to read through the thread, but I think he might have had his setup in a glass tank. Either way, it looks like most bioactive are in a glass tank or one of those exo-terra glass enclosures.

I'm still new to snakes in general, having researching, and slowly setting up the enclosures since February of this year, and only obtaining my first snake last week. That was one of the reason I decided to backup a bit, first learn about keeping the snakes the way most people tend to, and then maybe later I will approach the bioactive topic again. Definitely would love to go bioactive.

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Originally Posted by Charles8088

I was initially considering a bioactive tank for the bp that I don't have yet... so, I did some research into it (googling, and the forum here). If you haven't read it already, here's a thread I started regarding that:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ctive-Question

There's a few people on here that have the bioactive setup... one who particularly comes to mind is Slither Sleeker. I really don't recall his exact setup, and too tired to read through the thread, but I think he might have had his setup in a glass tank. Either way, it looks like most bioactive are in a glass tank or one of those exo-terra glass enclosures.

I'm still new to snakes in general, having researching, and slowly setting up the enclosures since February of this year, and only obtaining my first snake last week. That was one of the reason I decided to backup a bit, first learn about keeping the snakes the way most people tend to, and then maybe later I will approach the bioactive topic again. Definitely would love to go bioactive.

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Oh! Thank you for that link, I'll definitely read through that soon! Haha I am actually in the same position. I just got my bp a little more than a month ago, and I'm receiving a little corn snake on Thursday. I simply came across this while researching and I just have a strong urge to do it. However, I am also planning to take my time. Knowing me I'll probably end up with a notebook with a list of the materials I need to require and instructions lol.

Also, if I do do a bioactive setup I want my little ones to be much bigger, since I'll want to set it up in the biggest cage they will be in. It's way too soon to move them so I have time. I just can never rest until ally burning questions are answered!

AP will modify their enclosures pretty much however you like. I have a 4x2x2 that they increased the litter dam to 9 inches so I could have a drainage layer and soil. You can also request screen cutouts on the sides/top for added ventilation and/or different lighting options.

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Originally Posted by John1982

AP will modify their enclosures pretty much however you like. I have a 4x2x2 that they increased the litter dam to 9 inches so I could have a drainage layer and soil. You can also request screen cutouts on the sides/top for added ventilation and/or different lighting options.

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Wow! So would you recommend this as the best option for giving a ball python a bioactive setup? I have a 40 gallon Exo Terra but I thought that I could use that for my new corn instead and then get my ball python an AP.

If I have extra ventilation, would it be similar to doing one in an exo terra or safer for a ball?

I would go with either a Demon Hunter or a Druid....wait....wrong forum. :)

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I would go with either a Demon Hunter or a Druid....wait....wrong forum. :)

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Def druid ;)

I've been looking into turning a T12 into a bioactive. It's been difficult researching. So far, if i go bioactive, i'll have to install a full-spectrum light or a glow & grow light from bio dude. It will help plants survive.

Also found that animal plastics will increase "litter-dam" to any height for free. Call to request. The litter-dam is just the bottom lip. Needed cuz bioactive means several inches of substrate.

They also recommend letting the tank "cycle" for a month first. To allow root development before snake starts tearing the place up. Also lets you recognize heat & humidity issues without questioning if it's animal related or possible harm while adjusting.

I have so many unanswered Qs still, and talked to Ally @ Animal Plastics. She said A LOT of people have said they would go route of bioactive but have not heard of any updates. I'm currently looking for a success story before I jump into it. (Lot of $$ for me to just "play" with hoping it will pay off)

Good luck on your search,
Heather