Jibba!
This is an amazing project you're accomplishing! The boa that lives in there is going to be one lucky snake.
I am also undergoing an extremely similar project for my ancient ball python. I must say, I feel you on the 'omg; this is costing a ton'. I thought I could whip together one of these grand enclosures for perhaps a few hundred dollars... That used to be a nice thought haha.
A few tips about your bioactive endeavor:
-no matter what the haters say, stay confident that you can establish optimal ecology within your enclosure!
-Don't bother using fake climbing logs, just utilize real tree limbs for that. Saves money, is more natural, and depending on your wood will last many years.
-It may take several months for the fungus gnat populations to reach a point where they are environmentally out-competed by your springtails, but rest-assured, the springtails will prevail (provided your substrate is optimal).
-Do your absolute best to ensure stringent biosecurity controls, meaning sterilize the heck out of your enclosure components so other unwanted insects do not develop populations in your enclosure. Microwave wet leaves, bake the wood, bake substrates as best you can, and wash all the soil off of your plant roots. I have staphylinidae populations which have crept up in a few of my enclosures (likely from stow-away eggs in substrate component I had not sterilized), and its been a hassle.
-Don't worry about fungal blooms or slime molds! Most fungal activity is benevolent, however, if you see an excess of black mold developing within any of the hides, do what you can to cleanse it, then modify the hide so there is more airflow into the hide.
Creating a large and successful bioactive environment is a load of work and biological research, but once its' there; it will be incredibly optimal for your animal and beyond rewarding for the both of you.
Good luck and keep us posted!
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