Bioactive Enclosures For Brazilian Rainbow Boas Are The Worst

[@reptilefae]

When you do the diy backgrounds with rainboas, does the polycrilic work good as a sealant? Do you add a tube to avoid water lock? Love how your enclosures look.

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Thank you! You know I’ve never used any polycryllic so I can’t speak to it. On my rosy boa cage I made some “rock walls” with grout that I sealed with a soy-based polyurethane, but the rainbow boa cages are pvc that I sealed the edges with silicone to prevent leaks. The walls I just used expanding foam to secure cork bark and moss to them and some screws. I notice some degradation of the foam after a couple years though. There’s a pond sealant foam I would use next time.

[@arkealunas4043]

Great video! Just a heads up, all animal fecal matter requires a decomposition time before nitrogen is made available. During this time, the bacteria will actually remove nutrients from the soil, and use it to break it down. This is why most farmers fertilize after they harvest. So it has time to break down.

[@giorfi-n7v]

I have heard other keepers say that bioactive really only works with small critters like dart frogs. For large animals you still need to remove poo or it will stink pretty bad. And removing it from a very complex terrarium could be a challenge. My L geckos poo stunk soooo bad even though it was so small. VERY pungent.

[@LetsTalkHerps]

It’s been completely manageable for me. A lot of people in the reptile community SAY things but not a lot of people DO things. As a result a lot of small issues become conflated with disastrous issues, which isn’t really the case. Yes, a big snake’s waste will accumulate quickly and can cause an odor if the clean up crew is unable to handle it, but each species is different and I’ve seen 150 lb retics kept in large bioactive enclosures with large waste removed but many droppings just taken care of by a dynamic clean up crew. Like all things, a little research goes a long way.

[@LetsTalkHerps]

I find lizard poop to be particularly stanky.

[@tycoontroy1484]

Do the bugs get out all over your house?

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Good question. Occasionally. The springtails are already in pretty much all houses everywhere. They’re nothing. If you really want a menace, keep an animal that needs to eat flightless fruit flies, they end up all Over your house 😆

[@tycoontroy1484]

@@LetsTalkHerps thanks for answering me, ive asked lots of ppl to no avail.

[@juliawelch2977]

You could use a plastic siphon hose to drain the water tub into a bucket, then you could let the nitrogen thing happen and not have to mess with cup

[@LetsTalkHerps]

That’s a much better idea! Lol. I just got an even bigger water dish too so siphon may be the way to go. Thanks!

[@durenpaul]

This is great! If you don't mind, can you list the actual plants you're using?

[@LetsTalkHerps]

For sure. I have a variety of calathea (prayer plant) that seems to be much smaller than most calathea species which I love because they grow really well in a tropical bioactive so this shorter version. Is more compatible in the vivarium where space is limited. Peperomia do well but they will eventually drown if you’re not careful and the soil doesn’t drain so well. They also aren’t really able to move for light like the others so other plants can block them out. The anthurium have the big, colorful, waxy flowers and seem to grow really well. The syngonium is the paler green plant and I placed it furthest from the light and it is really thriving with lots of new growth. I bet it would be a beast if it were under the light. The newest edition is a marcgravia vine and a small orchid. The orchid is in a pot (plastic cup) for now in very well draining medium, but when it establishes roots I’ll try to attach it to a cork stump. All are plants native to the Amazon although some of these varieties may be Central American. Particularly the last two I mentioned. So far my retic has golden pothos. Zz plant, and I believe peace lily. All found in SE Asia. I try and match them to their region of origin just for personal reasons. In other BRB enclosures I’ve had success with fittonia (nerve plant) and other varieties of peperomia, but the big calathea leaves blocked everything out so now it’s basically just calathea and anthurium and syngonium. The common theme: all of these plants (except the marcgravia which I found at an expo) are common and available at local garden centers. Phew, that was a lot!

[@durenpaul]

@@LetsTalkHerps Thanks man, that's super helpful--totally appreciate it.

[@davidcampbell5387]

The rainbow boa does not dig up and destroy all the plants?

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Sometimes! I try and stay with tough species of plants. But once the roots are down for a few months, the snakes tend to know where they are and burrow around or elsewhere. But you have to be comfortable with some plant loss as well as propagating your overgrowth too.

[@Uptown_Xotix]

I’m going to be getting my first Rainbow Boa soon. I plan on doing bioactive, and have been looking for a good enclosure. I’m leaning toward a Vision, but I see that Scale Box is larger, for less $$$. How long have you had yours, and how do you like them?

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Yes. I love them actually. I’ve had them I think 3 years now… Dustin was good to work with. He was on a panel about two years Ago in my older videos

[@Uptown_Xotix]

@@LetsTalkHerps that’s awesome!! Thanks for replying. It may not be for a year or two, until I get one. But, I’ll probably get one for the Mexican Black Kingsnake(s) that I’m getting too!!

[@evanb5290]

Just take the water dish and dump it all around your enclosure.. The cup method is just not efficient.

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Great point. I should have mentioned that. I do this with my smaller water bins but with the shelf and the size of that water dish I usually end up spilling too much on the floor or out of the enclosure. Otherwise I would. Thanks for watching!

[@yesidtac7863]

Wow muy bien

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Thanks for watching!