Bioactive drainage set up questions // BCI
In the research I've done I've seen a lot places state you need a drainage layer, however I've seen a lot of people also not include them. Should I include a drainage layer for when I make my boa's bio setup or no? Why or why not? I can't seem to find the reasoning for why some do and some don't online and thought I'd see what you guys think.
I could see some reasoning being burrowing down to the drainage layer, but wouldn't a screen or something prevent something like that? Especially if you provide enough substrate for them to still adequately burrow themselves. As well as tubing down into the drainage layer so you can drain it if it becomes to much. I feel like I would have more control over the humidity this way.
With enclosures without the drainage layer wouldn't there be more likely of scale rot or at least be a pain to try to take away humidity when it becomes too much? Or if it gets over watered that means it would need to be replaced and ruin the cycle of setup?
It doesn't seem like very many people are doing bioactive setups for boas, unless it's a BRB or maybe I am just not looking in the right place. Is this something I should do for a BCI or no? I honestly don't see the harm in it at all and I think it would do him good humidity wise.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Bioactive drainage set up questions // BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alien
I am in the starting phase of creating a bioactive set up for my newly built 8' X 2' X 2' PVC enclosure. I am going to use an inch of clay balls (drainage/moisture retention). Then landscape mean to prevent the substrate from mixing with the clay balls and 2-3" of locally sourced substrate. This is for my BCI that is only 9 months old so I have time to make it "work"
I have never tried bioactive but I am going to give it a try?
I've never done so either and almost want to use the small feeding tank that came with my guy as a test run and see what kinda happens.
I've been given the advice that because boa's sometimes burrow it's not a good if they burrow down into the drainage layer. Sealing could make it more secure but maybe they could still find a way?
My little guy was burrowing at first but hasn't since I got the proper humidity and heat going for him. Was planning the same thing for my little dude! Was going to slowly build an bio enclosure from the start. Either way I'm building him a sick enclosure.
Re: Bioactive drainage set up questions // BCI
Sounds like a pain, fake plants are easier imo. If you spend a little more some look pretty real and you don’t have to worry about keeping plants alive. Boas get large enough to potentially destroy plants so I think a bioactive setup would be better for something small like geckos and dart frogs.
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Re: Bioactive drainage set up questions // BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MarkL1561
Sounds like a pain, fake plants are easier imo. If you spend a little more some look pretty real and you don’t have to worry about keeping plants alive. Boas get large enough to potentially destroy plants so I think a bioactive setup would be better for something small like geckos and dart frogs.
I don't disagree that fake plants would be easier or that he wont destroy them. I personally don't mind the effort, love the way real ones look and the benefits of having a clean up crew and the cleaner air. I was thinking of doing a mixture of fake and real plants.
My main concern is whether it's going to do more harm to him than good.
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Re: Bioactive drainage set up questions // BCI
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CrypticPickles
I've never done so either and almost want to use the small feeding tank that came with my guy as a test run and see what kinda happens.
I've been given the advice that because boa's sometimes burrow it's not a good if they burrow down into the drainage layer. Sealing could make it more secure but maybe they could still find a way?
My little guy was burrowing at first but hasn't since I got the proper humidity and heat going for him. Was planning the same thing for my little dude! Was going to slowly build an bio enclosure from the start. Either way I'm building him a sick enclosure.
I would think the mesh would prevent burrowing into the drainage layer.
I have sent emails to the bio dude, joshs frogs, and serpa design asking their opinions on a drainage layer for a boa enclosure in a bioactive set up. I will post their replies (if I get any and with their permission).