We keep saltwater tanks, and freshwater planted tanks, so this past year I wanted to dive into a bioactive setup for my ball python. I have an exoterra terrarium, with tinfoil (gotta keep it classy) on the screen top to maintain humidity.
The biggest issue I encountered was finding plants hardy enough to withstand the humidity and heat as well as the abuse of a snake climbing on them. I tried golden ferns as ground Cover and they looked really good but they are fragile and died quickly. I replanted them twice before abandoning them completely.
I have a layer of hydro balls on the bottom of the enclosure, with a piece of replacement screen cut to size. The mesh kind rather than the metal kind. I also pre rinsed the mesh in case there was any chemical coatings. I like the Hydro balls, because they are clay they absorb and keep moisture very well, and create a nice moist reservoir.
I then made a mixture of Coco fiber eco-earth, repti soil Cypress Bark and Spangham Moss and layered it about three inches over the 1.5 “ of hydro balls. On top of this, I put leaf matter. I recommend buying it from a reputable reptile source, no leaves from your yard as you will be introducing fauna that might not be right for your side up.
I then added my cleanup crew. I went with pink springtails, and purple isopods. The species are good for the type of environment and temperature needed for your ball python.
I then added a miniature umbrella tree, Pothos, a type of small Chinese evergreen, and the golden fern.
I lost the pothos, it wasn’t able to root before I added my snake I will likely try again in the future. The fern also didn’t make it, but the umbrella tree (trimmed to bonsai) is thriving and the Chinese evergreen with monthly pruning is also thriving.
Heating: I have a Uth and ceramic bulb on the hot side. Wattage is 100w thermostated. On the “cool side” is where the plants thrive, I have an aquarium LED set up it’s about 8” and provides the plants with proper lighting for photosynthesis. Going forward I will upgrade to a larger light. CFLs will work so long as you account for the heat they produce.
I can post photos tomorrow!
Additionally I can post links to what I used!
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