Bioactive Ball Python Setup: One Year Check-in

[@alisongregory5506]

I am a new ball python owner and I stumbled across your videos while doing my research and I have to say, your videos have been so informative and helpful. I love that your videos are lighthearted and funny.

[@loriw2661]

I would definitely be a patron of yours. There’s no reason you couldn’t start it now. I love your videos and as a first time Ball Python mom (finally, at 60 y/o) I really appreciate your knowledge. My boy, Darwin, is doing well and he ate f/t last week, so I’ll give him another one tonight. I never knew I’d get excited about a snake eating f/t!! I was so proud of him (granted, he was doing what snakes do but I was still proud). I’ve given up on reminding myself that Kent isn’t a separate person from you because it’s much too fun to give him his own autonomy. So I’d request that 20% of my Patreon pledge goes to Kent🤣😂

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Congrats on the frozen thawed! Kent will be happy to get a cut of that Patreon donation ;-)

[@TheSnakeSocialite]

I never actually put any springtails in my BPs enclosure but I somehow have a thriving colony of them.

[@JuanGonzalez-rp1so]

Couldn’t find a well explained video for ball pythons in starting a ball python bioactive this helped a lot thank you

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm glad it was helpful for you!

[@dianya7]

Appreciate this update! There’s lots of videos on newly setup bioactives but I wanted to see what works and what doesn’t long term, this was perfect.

[@karenschmaltz649]

I was going to recommend a video I had watched that showed the best plants for a b.p. bioactive setup, but it turned out to be yours! Nevermind! I am so glad I found that video because everyone else sets up for a baby, and doesn't show how trashed it is later. You are one of the few people who actually know what works.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Karen! Glad you liked these. Yeah, there's a big difference between a baby and an adult in a bioactive ;-)

[@lilywatson4685]

I’d recommend Purple Heart/ spiderwort it’s a beautiful safe and easy to take care of plant all it needs is good lighting and moist soil. It’s very durable depending on the type you get but for the majority of the breeds it would be the perfect plant to ad a pop of color that is strong and easy to grow, (it will be a brighter shade of purple the more light it gets)

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Cool thanks, I'll check it out!

[@chrisd4590]

Yeah you should do patron your content is the best on KZbin. I send all new bp owners to your channel first

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Chris! I appreciate that vote of confidence :-)

[@bethanypatrick4286]

Thank you! I heard bioactive enclosures wouldn't work for bigger snakes but I'm super interested in this. I love a bit of nature in the house! I also love succulents so I'm definitely going to include those!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah it's definitely an ongoing experiment. It's worked for me so far for 2 years but big snakes do tend to destroy plants ;-)

[@ithewho6603]

I made bio active for my leopard gecko mainly because I think it looks good. And she does very well in there. No bad sheds, she eats great, digs around and has become overall more active.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah bioactive is great for geckos!

[@hopefultraveler3543]

The inspector is my favorite!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

He's a pretty cool guy!

[@bobmosh4970]

From one Bob to another, I love how you interact with your snake friends! I walk around every morning making coffee one handed with a couple of garter snakes in the other, so our lives have some similarities. My vivariums are all bio active with local isopods(porcillia scaber and Armadillidium vulgare) springtails, local millipedes and nightcrawlers, as well as tons of live plants. I Also have a rescue toad named Phil who gladly eats any isopods that breed excessively in the vivs. I'm lucky because my snakes are tiny and don't steamroll anything... well the garters do a bit, but the northern redbellies are closer to dart frog husbandry than keeping pythons. I'm very impressed at your bio-active set up and it's resiliency to such a heavy beastor. Love the channel dude!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Bob, glad you like the channel! Your setups sound fantastic!

[@jamieperry7473]

I love the inspector's head marking, it looks like a mystical symbol or something :)

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah, he's got a cool headstamp - hoping to figure out which genes exactly are doing it :-)

[@plantlover6392]

The vining succulent one on the left of your enclosure is commonly called “string of dolphins “. I’m so excited I’m about to build my new ball python a bio active too! Love your channel!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Aw thanks! That's good to know. Best of luck with your bioactive!

[@Anastasiya-kw1cs]

Haha “succs for you” 😂😂 that one cracked me up! I’m totally loving your content and would 100% support your patreon 😊 I’ve been watching KZbin for years and never felt inclined to join any other patreons, so yours would be my first!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much Anastasiya! That's nice to hear. I'm building the Patreon right now, so it will live soon ;-)

[@Meraxes6]

I'm late here, but thank you for making this video! I'm making my first ever bioactive enclosure for my ball python, and you answered all of my questions. The inspector is gorgeous and his setup is too!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much! I'm glad this video helped. Best of luck with your bioactive project :-)

[@alexiskelley1143]

I would love to see a video about how you clean and maintain your bioactive enclosure! (Cleaning hides/enrichment, spot cleaning, etc.)

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I haven't done that video yet because It would be such a short video. It's literally just cleaning the hides and spraying some of the enrichment items with chlorhexidine. Spot cleaning when needed and cleaning the glass. In over 2 years I haven't done a full change of substrate.

[@avaogara]

always fun to watch bot the inspector lol .his enclosure is beautiful n very natural n shure he loves it !

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Ava!

[@rozie.cheeks875]

You can do Raven ZZ's in the viv. They are dark purple/black! Some Hoya can "sun stress" and turn red/orange. Especially with the grow lights you've got in the viv! Begonia come in a lot of different colors. And coleus come in a crazy area of colors too!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Aw cool, thanks for the plant tips!

[@rozie.cheeks875]

@@GreenRoomPythons I'm pretty sure they are all considered safe for reptiles as well.

[@ajshearer625]

I learned the hard way succulents don't need much water, so make sure you look up your type so you don't drown them like I did mine. RIP cute tiny plants.

[@ajshearer625]

Sucks4me 😂

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yes, they need very little water. Sunlight or grow light is important though ;-)

[@ajshearer625]

@@GreenRoomPythons I also can't wait until your channel blows up! You deserve it! I'm still a huge fan, nursing school just has me a bit delayed on watching your uploads, but I'll always be here to cheer you on!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@ajshearer625 aw thanks Amanda! That means a lot :-)

[@amybentley1291]

You should definitely start Patreon, I would definitely support you! 😁

[@GreenRoomPythons]

And you've proved it!

[@amybentley1291]

Gotta send you a bunch of love! 🥰

[@ReptilesandResearch]

Wandering Jew is a good idea for a colourful plant

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks, I'll look into that!

[@momakajean]

And I suggest coleus. It comes in many colors, some varieties are more branching and lower growing than others. And the more light they get the deeper their color gets. They really are beautiful house plants. I'm sure you don't remember the giant tub of various coleus plants we had in the house on Longfellow. It sat in a south facing picture window.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Mom! I'll look into it :-)

[@hi.im.lilith]

I’ve always wanted to do a bioactive setup, but my big girl is what I call a “destroyer”. Some other animals in the house also have this title and it’s not hard to guess why. She’s like our turtle- you set up their enclosure all nice but they will decide to do their own renovation anyway. My ball python loves to climb, but it’s been a huge struggle finding wood that she can’t knock over or move. She’ll pull things off the wall of the tank and crush fake plants. This is why we can’t have nice things lol

[@plantlover6392]

I am going to guess that possibly the plants dried out. Just check the soil around them. The heat from the tank dries things out quickly. I have a ikea greenhouse cabinet and the humidity stays at 74% and I still have to water them myself. The only plant enclosure I keep that I never have to water the plants in has 95% humidity. So treat them like your houseplants basically and see if that works? Also about colorful plants oh my it’s endless! For example: tradescantia nanouk, Snow White waffle plant, some varieties of variegated African violets have purple or pink leaves, certain calathea plants, begonia Rex, or other types of begonia. Hope that helps! Happy planting!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah, they definitely got too hot and dry. Thanks for those plant suggestions!

[@caitrose1770]

i absolutely suggest croton bush or fire, or other varieties. they're tough & love humidity.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[@kevinthegrizzly5074]

Cool 😎 video Bob. The Inspector's set up is awesome. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Kevin!

[@jennymarie2865]

I love your channel! Very entertaining, great content… I see you going far, keep it up 👍🏼

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Jenny! I appreciate the kind words. Glad you like the channel :-)

[@citylifestevie]

I’m going to be a first time snake mom in a few weeks and have been binging all of your videos. They’ve been extremely helpful in choosing how I wanna set things up for my baby ( he was born in August) ball python. I do have one question though. Is a 4 month old hatchling to small to put into a bio active enclosure? I really don’t wanna go the tub route. If I’m gonna do it I wanna do the whole shabang right the first go around lol.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

As long as you have plenty of hides and clutter you should be just fine. Congrats on the new snake!

[@April-lp7pp]

Put a ZZ Raven in there. Jewel alocasias might do well in there too. They love humidity. And they have beautiful colors.

[@missgrimm5574]

I plan on doing bio active (I do bio active for my crested geckos and I love it) so thank you for all this info. Also I would support you on patron.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Miss Grimm, glad you like the video!

[@skedra7079]

Awesome video as always, definitely up for patreon :D

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks! I'll keep you posted :-)

[@jessicaperuti6877]

Your bioactive is so pretty :) I would be a Patreon supporter when you do it!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Jessica! I'll keep you posted once Patreon is up and running :-)

[@maryann350]

Great video once again!! I would probably join your patreon too 👍🏻

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Mary Ann!

[@bubblefishez]

You can add in a "wondering jew" hardy plant silver white purple colors

[@forrestcrabbe]

I have decided that unless I need an extra large amount of substrate all at once, I am better off buying biodude substrate. A good bioactive substrate isn't terribly hard to make except some of the ingredients are kinda hard to come by. Y'all have a badass day 🤘 Edit: yer tank looks good 🤘

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Forrest! Yeah I was going to make my own and then decided it was worth it to just order the stuff and save myself the trouble.

[@forrestcrabbe]

@@GreenRoomPythons yessir I figured the same 🤘

[@PitsFam]

Not sure if it’s just me finally noticing a change but the clarity in this video is awesome! I do have 2 questions about the bio active please. Do you have to add water to keep it moist/humid and if so how often? Also, do you ever take the inspector out and see the bugs on him? That’s the part I’m not too sure about lol. Edited to add, I feel like that bio-tank spot may be Eko’s one day.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I water the plants about once a week or so. There are never bugs on the snake and I have to really look to see springtails and isopods anywhere else... I'm not sure about putting a different snake in there after it's been The Inspector's home, but you never know :-)

[@ReptilesandResearch]

It’s interesting how you say you wouldn’t put a green tree python in a bioactive because that’s how everyone does it in the uk.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I'm just not good enough at bioactive or GTPs to do that. They're much easier to keep healthy in a sterile environment. If I was an expert, I'd love to try it :-)

[@ReptilesandResearch]

@@GreenRoomPythons for sure I get you

[@jeffersonmiranda7452]

You think a paludarium would work for a ball python?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

No, that would be better for a tropical species needing really high humidity :-)

[@matthewtracy8744]

I just put a mamey croton in my Viv. It has reds and yellows and is very hardy.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Cool!

[@itstegs]

Another fantastic video, thank you so much! This one (and the initial set up video) has really helped me get prepared to make my own bioactive viv, so much great information, I feel a lot more confident 😀 Can I ask how you would go about changing the substrate, when you need to (Roughly how often would that be for your particular set up?) Would you do some kind of semi-change where you remove half, let the ecosystem re-establish itself and then change the other half, or should you start all over again each time with new isopods, etc?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Glad you liked the video! I haven't had a reason to change the substrate at this point. I just add new substrate on top as needed. If I do a full.change, I'll just carefully pull the plants out and re-do the whole thing. I think I would only need to do that if it got infected with something though. Best of luck with yours!

[@itstegs]

@@GreenRoomPythons oh that's so great to hear! Thanks again for all this information! And send my wishes to Kent too please, he seems to be getting lots better with the snakes lately 😝

[@reptiliancain32]

Love it! However so far pothos is the only thing I CANT keep alive lol

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I have one that's not doing well at surviving right now too

[@calvindejak9839]

As for using bromeliads in your enclosure, I would use zoomed fake bromeliads. I have two of them in my enclosure and you can’t even tell the difference that they’re fake. They look so realistic. Try them out.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Very cool! I'm doing another build soon and I might try one more time with a live bromeliad to see if I can make it work

[@jeffkeithly6659]

Why the trouble with the pots you put in the background Too small? Not enough drainage? Or?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Too hot. They're too close to the heat element

[@bugnpop6531]

Couple of comments: Yes, you should do a Patreon (you have one already, by the time I get to this video). And, yeah, I get it. Yellow. Heheh. Two years after the joke, but I get it.

[@erinculp5532]

I love all your videos and I would support you on Patreon! This was a super helpful video! Good to know all the information about the plants. I have a bio active setup currently so I kind of know how to set one up (it’s just plants for now). I do have a ball python and want to eventually create a bio active for him. I’ve ordered a 4x2x1 for him already but no clue when that will actually get delivered. I was thinking I could put him in a temporary bioactive enclosure until I get the huge one for him. What size enclosure do you keep The Inspector in currently?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Erin! Glad you like the videos! My Patreon just launched last week :-) That Exo-Terra is 36x18x24 I believe. Your new one sounds great! Best of luck with it.

[@Oliver_and_arthur]

Hi Bob. Really enjoying your channel. I am in the research stage of getting a Royal/Ball Python and have found your videos the most fun to watch of the many that I have looked through so far. I think you said you had a heat mat and a che in this. Would you do it the same if you set it up again? Does the heat mat work with so much substrate (is there a drainage layer). I would love to see a video of you making a background by the way. This one looks great.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying the videos. I have substrate that doesn't require a drainage layer, and that's the only reason the heat mat works. The snake can go all the way down to the glass and he sits at 90° in his subterranean hide

[@mercedesjesso1289]

Hey!! I’m about to start a bio active tank , for her hide , if I want it to be burrowed with a heating pad , do I make sure there’s no clay balls / substrate under her hide ? Maybe put some bedding there?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

If you're using a drainage layer, a subterranean hide won't work as well. I'm using substrate that doesn't need a drainage layer, so I can dig all the way down to the glass.

[@KT-kn9vd]

Do it!!!

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Thanks Kelton! ;-)

[@amandalittle5310]

New here! Love this channel. But im dying trying to figure out (because i dont read between lines) is the brother real or is it him 😂 🤷‍♀️

[@fc_iwca420]

One question that has been bothering me for decades is should I leave my lights on all the time in the enclosure or turn them off at night I don't know someone please help me out with a awnser Thank You

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Definitely turn them off. Snakes need a day and night cycle :-)

[@rexplorer.official]

This is a great channel. All other snake channels are always about breeding or breeders or clutches.

[@momakajean]

What is patreon?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

It's a subscription based service for additional content. I'll tell you about it when we chat next :-)

[@matthewsbertoli570]

You crack me up.

[@poot-poot]

In your opinion would a 48x24x16 PVC enclosure be good for a bioactive enclosure for a female ball python, or is it not tall enough?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah that should work. I like height but 16 should work just fine

[@poot-poot]

@@GreenRoomPythons What heating option would you recommend for that kind of enclosure? I was thinking 40w radiant heat panel but I'm not too sure and would love advice from an expert! :)

[@GreenRoomPythons]

@@poot-poot radiant heat panel should work great :-)

[@poot-poot]

@@GreenRoomPythons Thank you!!

[@Elchuydemichoacan]

What are the dimensions of your Bio?

[@GreenRoomPythons]

that one is 36x18x24

[@Elchuydemichoacan]

@GreenRoomPythons thanks alot! Really enjoy your content

[@briannabrooks6806]

maybe some plants won’t survive because of how many isopods there are. i’ve heard there can be too many in a bio viv they can destroy plants

[@GreenRoomPythons]

I haven't had that experience in a larger vavarium. I don't think it's a big problem as long as there's enough decaying clutter in the dirt for the isopods to feed on. They generally won't go for a live plant unless there's no other food option available.

[@pooaxx]

Your “brother” thinks the snake is deadly. But I think the bioactive part is going great. But size is kind of on the minimum side for a adult 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jdssurf]

I got an idea for a video for you, unless you’ve already done it………..if you recall I’ve kept and bred herps for around 30 years, and I’ve always tried to practice safety as far as keeping things sanitary, to prevent health issues in the reptiles, but also the humans around my house. So I recently re researched some info again on salmonella from reptiles, and the odds of catching it from your snakes, by either getting it from them on your clothing, other surfaces, or if your just into eating snake terds lol. Anyways, just a thought………….after all these years I don’t believe I’ve ever caught it. They say young kids that are still establishing their immune systems and other immune compromised ppl are at bigger risk, but IDK. Just a thought. Did you make it to the Super Show? I’m focused on payin off some debt right now so I forced myself not to go lmao.

[@GreenRoomPythons]

Yeah I think there's a much higher chance of catching salmonella by eating lettuce. I've never even heard of someone catching salmonella from a reptile but when I was a kid, all the moms would warn their kids about salmonella if they found a lizard outside :-) No Supershow, unfortunately. I had a gig that weekend. Wish I could have been there

[@jdssurf]

@@GreenRoomPythons yeah I read that it’s extremely rare, if you look up if snakes are good pets or if they can make you sick….oohhhhhh man you get flooded with PETA stuff saying they will kill us lol. I spoke with some vets that said yeah more likely to get it from your food prep. My main reason for looking into it again was for the ppl that keep wanting to bash me for keeping reptiles, always look for facts to shut them up lol. Or some like a family member that things your spreading germs to them and such. Take care man.

[@karenschmaltz649]

At one point Kevin Mccurly from NERD walked into a room with snakeskins where the team was going to teach about them and put one in his mouth and ate it. They were NOT expecting that! Ever since then I only wash my hands if I have handled poop. So far so good! (Sorry idk which vid)

[@jdssurf]

@@karenschmaltz649 yeah I love Kevin, but come on, don’t base your life on one dude, even Kevin would think that’s crazy. He’s pretty sharp, but also very real and knows he does extra stuff now and then. Your risk.