How To Set Up A Bioactive Bearded Dragon Enclosure| Common Bioactive Mistakes

how to make a bio active bearded dragon set up it can be overwhelming when starting out. today i made a step by step video on how to make a bioactive enclosure for a bearded dragon. we talk about the materials you will need, go step by step on how i set my bioactive enclosure up and then talk about the common mistakes people make when first setting up a bioactive enclosure for a bearded dragon.

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Guys I filmed this video the same day we streamed jeez 😂

[@GodGunsGills]

Yooooo... does bioactive make the underbelly look dirty or stained? That's the only thing stopping me from doing it

[@The_Real_Adachi]

I was kinda late to this vid but when I watched this I was wondering what you used for the background?

[@matthewtracy8720]

Thanks. This will come in handy, soon (year or something) once I upgrade mine to 4x2x2 enclosure. Want to go bioactive.

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

I hope its helpful!

[@loganthewyrmlord9739]

@@Dakotahblueexotics I want to upgrade because carpet sucks due to staining.

[@FourLetterWurdz]

I know this video is old.. but I appreciate it so much. My little baby Cheeto is gonna be so happy with his big boy digs when we get there!!

[@torquess454]

You made this way less complicated for me, thx bro! ❤️

[@staceyroberts3468]

Remember if u collect wood for the outdoors, to put it in the oven for about 30 mins on 200 degrees to kill any bacteria/parasites that could be harmful to your reptile 👍🏼

[@DISELMEDIALLC]

Thanks

[@valzie9558]

Great video. You didn't just cover something American specific but branched out to other places like the UK which helps a lot

[@MinerJB]

Tried live plants in my Beardies tank. Ya didnt work out well so now they are in my kitchen window living happily. He gots a pair fake plants that he wants front and center of his tank, I have tried putting them where I want them. But he comes over and pushes them around until they are where he wants them lol. Switching to bioactive this week so more plants will go in and we will began the battle of where the plants should be all over again.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

good stuff my guy!

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Only the best beardie content around

[@Scales13]

Great tip. You can apply some of these same principle to setting up Ackies as well.

[@kurisuuuuuuu]

man everytime i search fo whatever reptile i want to have you are one of my first results and always is a fantastic video, you deserve more subs, likes and more love. Keep up de good work

[@dmar26]

Glad I came across your video, been researching bioactive and was kinda stumped on which organic soil to use along with using coconut coir or not.

[@idk2289]

id love to see more videos of your quince monitor

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

We will be doing future videos on him in the future!

[@jy8032]

Do you need to have plants or can you just add the clean up crew?

[@ordoabchao1308]

👋 I am ready to get my breaded dragon! Many years of wanting one and lots of videos! So I am definitely wanting to do a bio active enclosure as that’s what my other reptiles have! But I was also wanting to do the clay excavators, do you think this is possible to have both inside a 4x2x2?

[@joemo2215]

Hey team, I know bearded dragons live to the central and west but does this guide apply to animals like the Children's Python as well?

[@hudsonlaporte7849]

Instead of play sand can I use Jurassic natural sand

[@DISELMEDIALLC]

Video still relevant to this day thank you good sir!

[@mrssandlin3176]

I put a flowering vine in mine and stuffed it in the crevices of the side next to her basking rock, she tried to eat it. That was the day she finally ate greens😂 she just had to stare at some fake plants for awhile. So thankful to the LORD she didn't get impacted. My girl has mobility problem as she was sick when I got her from the pet store at a month or two old. She flops from side to side to get around. She's on fleece blanket now with a flat basking rock. I'm thinking about a bio active but I'm also afraid for her to try to eat everything. Going to have to do a lot more research. I can't provide much enrichment as she can't climb even the smallest elevation. Her front arms are straight back with her body, she can't bend them well. When she moves, all four legs stiffen out and that's how she gets around. The vet did not recommend euthanasia as she has so much life in her. I'm trying to hard but it's crushing me to not know the best substrate for her. Vet took x-rays and said it's not mdb. He thinks it's adeno virus but she only pottys once a month. She refuses food. She is two years old and it's crazy she's still alive even though she will only eat once or twice a month for me. Vet said her bodily systems are out of wack because of her condition but he says I'm doing great because she's alive. I just hope I'm doing everything. There's not a lot of info and my vet is over an hour away. I can't seem to have the gas to go when she pottys😔

[@Inverts4Introverts]

Weird thing, but for the play sand, have you read its safety document? Oddly its says to wear gloves when using and not sutible to for ling term use. Also a carcinogenic?

[@cliffspab]

Thanks man!

[@JosephWarner]

Random question, can I just collect pill bugs from my backyard to act as a clean up crew?

[@julieann4956]

Can you add your bearded dragon the same day you finish adding the clean up Crew or do u have to wait I only have 1 cage

[@JsMatteo]

Can you dig soil from your backyard and use it, I live in a area that has rich, sandy/ dirt mixed soil. Would I have to clean it first or?

[@TheBurebo]

Im just curious, wont the small roaches wonder out of the terrarium?

[@BjornWithASlash]

Best place to get cleanup crew for an ackie?

[@jjquintero5275]

I have a key lime tree and king palm tree that releases a lot of dry leaves, can i use them as the bio degradable plant matter?

[@AOA9871]

What would you suggest for beardies who like to eat everything? Every time I’ve put safe plants in my dragons tank, she usually just try’s to eat the substrate. She’s grown up on repti carpet her whole life, so I’m worried that she would try to eat the soil and then get an impaction or choke.

[@addinoelle7402]

how old is she? and what kind of feeding routine does she have? beardies truly are not very smart so loose substrate isn't for everyone especially if she has no experience with it. a removable dig box with plants might be interesting, then you can monitor any digging/potential munching-of-dirt

[@AOA9871]

@@addinoelle7402 she’s around 7 years old at this point. I like the dig box idea, thanks for the advice!

[@mrssandlin3176]

I put a flowering vine in mine and stuffed it in the crevices of the side next to her basking rock, she tried to eat it. That was the day she finally ate greens😂 she just had to stare at some fake plants for awhile. So thankful to the LORD she didn't get impacted. My girl has mobility problem as she was sick when I got her from the pet store at a month or two old. She flops from side to side to get around. She's on fleece blanket now with a flat basking rock. I'm thinking about a bio active but I'm also afraid for her to try to eat everything. Going to have to do a lot more research. I can't provide much enrichment as she can't climb even the smallest elevation. Her front arms are straight back with her body, she can't bend them well. When she moves, all four legs stiffen out and that's how she gets around. The vet did not recommend euthanasia as she has so much life in her. I'm trying to hard but it's crushing me to not know the best substrate for her. Vet took x-rays and said it's not mdb. He thinks it's adeno virus but she only pottys once a month. She refuses food. She is two years old and it's crazy she's still alive even though she will only eat once or twice a month for me. Vet said her bodily systems are out of wack because of her condition but he says I'm doing great because she's alive. I just hope I'm doing everything. There's not a lot of info and my vet is over an hour away. I can't seem to have the gas to go when she pottys😔

[@whyyousocranky4523]

Where’d you get the back round for your beardies tank

[@eastnewyork3434]

SplashWoRld🌎The Greatest

[@Ella-tv9yt]

Would you recommend a drainage layer?

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

No for an arid species like this. Dont think its completely necessary

[@joenegrete8925]

How often are you moistening the soil

[@oceansend7679]

My questions with bioactive cages are the insects and plants. What happens if your Beardie eats them? Will it make them sick? Cause any future issues? Will the insects bite your dragon when they are sleeping?

[@seanlindy]

I use springtails which are too small for him, and powder blue isopods which are smaller and won’t be as appetizing for him but it’s still a risk 😅 it’s why I have a culture going so if they die off, I can always add more

[@mattsilva1467]

Horn worms, super worms, and crickets can bite. I’d say the one difficulty with bio is feeding. The insects will start to colonize. I had so many super worms turn to dark king beetles. At first I thought it was the coolest thing but then realized they were starting to take over.

[@mason-rz2hn]

hi im looking to buy a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon if i was to buy one of them where could i buy them from online

[@baybay4954]

i suggest a breeder in your area rather than a chain pet store, i live in Dallas so im using the serpentarium in Richardson.

[@RoxUrSoxRen]

Joshsfrogs.com

[@kayleemcbay1200]

Morph market! When you look it up it says crash site reptiles

[@leahmccool4101]

Question: Everything I've read says you shouldn't have any loose substrate for a bearded dragon in case they ingest it which is why I didn't go bioactive, but really prefer bioactive. How do I know the substrate I use for my beardie will be safe for him? ALSO: Would love to see you do a set up for a white's tree frog if you haven't done one already(couldn't find one when searching).

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Definitely will be doing some whites tree frog content. If you go to my channel anf to the bearded dragon play list. I have multiple videos on the loose substrate debate and a step by step guide on bioactive set ups for bearded dragons.

[@jdandkikisExotics]

if your beadie is healthy he will be ok

[@watashiwannadie]

They only eat substrate if they're lacking nutrients. Use Rep-Cal (pink and blue) and shake the worms and crickets in it in a bag before feeding. (This was told to me by an actual reptile expert who worked with them professionally and has since started just breeding them at home). She hates that people are so quick to say you're a bad owner for using loose substrate.

[@michaelross5674]

I used bio dude

[@cz1always608]

OK I heard do not use play sand

[@LeviBowman10]

I recommend using it, bc opinions and facts change and now it is the best sand to use

[@kodavulpedrius6712]

HMMMM, something seems familiar, I just can quite put my finger on it...

[@TodaysRemedy]

Your editing skill improved, but still, you can cut as long as you finish that sentence, now there's like a 0.3 seconds gap seeing you smile, which is a little odd.

[@esmokebaby]

I would definitely set up for a month or 2 before adding the pet to test and see what works and don’t

[@christopherfarmer2511]

questions! 1: Where did you get the backdrop it has an amazing mixture of wall and sitting/basking spots. 2: What plants would be perfect for 4x2x2? i want room for the dragon to run and have fun but i also want room for the enclosure to be split in half like yours. 3: this is my first time ever havving a bearded dragon so any more tips about the perfect looking enclosure that ensures both me and the dragon are satisfied with the look

[@SarahG0711]

He probably made it himself out of insulation board. That's what I did.

[@michaelross5674]

I buy succulents from home depot. For couple bucks ... My plants always die too plus beardie tramps all over them lol

[@savannahmarieee6282]

Just get fake plants and you'll be good to go!

[@kayleemcbay1200]

Plants also have to have certain hours of light even succulents can get to much sun, need to be on the cool side so they get plenty of uv but not direct and plants only need 6 to 8 hours of uv

[@Awsomesism1994]

What about putting in a non needle cactus? Just curious lol

[@reptilerobots]

"doobie roaches" haha!

[@DevilxDucky]

For your background, what did you make yours out of, do you have any tips on making one? And as for the plants, I want to put some in my 4x2x2, what's some good sturdy plants that can handle my baby stomping all over them xD?

[@dylannolt6025]

Thank you so much for this information I really like how you support local nursery/businesses

[@valzie9558]

One quick question though. How often should a mist the tank?

[@MckaylaExoticz]

Never. Bearded dragons are arid species they cannot have high humidity

[@shaynabaker3251]

Take them out and mist them

[@tycoontroy1484]

How would you keep roaches from getting out and all over your house?

[@taybakeak8958]

Do your dubia ever escape out of the ventilation holes? That’s one of my worst fears, I absolutely do not want them in my house.

[@jessicaann9027]

If it makes you feel better Dubia can’t live in your home. They’ll die. They’re not like house roaches. They do not make colonies and breed like the normal “house” roaches most think of. If one gets our they would die off pretty quick. Some fine screen over the ventilation holes would suffice.

[@joyglocker8318]

That was helpful, thanks

[@SenseiJynx]

Is sphagnum moss ok? I have a baby beardie and i put some moss in his cooling/hide area

[@definitelynotavegan7285]

My beardie is slightly over wight and has stomach issues (she's had this for almost all the life, that's what her previous owners said) would I be able to use dubia roaches and super worm beetles in? I'm nervous she might eat a ton of them....

[@paradoxmaelstrom1892]

Here in Australia organic top soil in non existent they always have organic fertilizer in it like kelp, worm casings, perlite etc I made my bioactive from coco peat/coir, sand, charcoal and spaghmun moss no reptile in it yet though since I am establishing it and getting used to schedule stuff if all that in organic top soil here is safe of what I first mentioned I will re do the whole thing or just add worm casings or safe fertlizers here, also have problems with humidity in atm I think it's because I just have my LEDs in there for now and that I have back vents and not side cross vents (melamine 3 bay tank) will the worms and superworms/mealworms eat the leaf litter? Also not sure if I should moisten the lower layer only on the cool end not sure how to do that.

[@flightmonkeyuk6944]

Hi mate, i really wanted to watch your video but you sound was clipping and overloaded constantly i had to stop watching. With future videos lower your DB on your editing software of you audio mate. Hope you don’t take the constructive criticism the wrong way 😊

[@littlecraftsofhorrors5418]

what dirt did youn use can u post a link? Ive been trying to find Organic top soil

[@melissashepard247]

What outside logs and branches could u have in the inclosure

[@kbs36]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@ianjustus324]

My beardie always tried to eat the succulents 😅

[@cathyjerome1662]

Started on tiles BUT now want to move to bio

[@GlorifiedGremlin]

What background are you using? And did you add those shelves on the background yourself or did it come like that? Because I can't seem to find any that have little rock shelves

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Its a custom piece that i did.

[@ultiscrubgaming915]

Gonna need to make a list

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

And check it twice.

[@leeabrahams9889]

I'd like to see a blue tongue skink set up please. Ideally an Indonesian to see how you handle the humidity.

[@Y0oisaac]

But Australian blue tongue lizards are just more cute

[@jdandkikisExotics]

or u could do terra saharaa from teh biodude

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

True, though getting as much of that substrate for something like this 6x2x2 would be $$$$$$$

[@jdandkikisExotics]

@@Dakotahblueexotics yea i saw his ackie monitor one and it was a few thousand for the substarte

[@wackerracing3126]

Where did you find your background rocks

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

I made it myself. Heres a tutorial on how I did it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZXNq2lnlr2Kp6c

[@RC-bs6eb]

It's funny that you're plugging the Scott's topsoil because I tried that crap and its god awful. Its mulch and literal plastic garbage with maybe a little soil mixed in lol.

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Thats funny, have never had that issue lol

[@RC-bs6eb]

@@Dakotahblueexotics Check the reviews, its not an uncommon issue, unfortunately. I wonder if the company maybe sources locally and that creates the discrepancies? As in, the soil in your bags comes from wherever general area you live and mine comes from my general area, instead of all the bags sent out being made up of the same stuff?

[@terrellgriffin7610]

Question. How do I get the humidity lower? Mine is stuck at about 50%

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

What kind of set up do you have yours in?

[@_BlackYoshi]

@@Dakotahblueexotics not sure about him but I have a similar problem, mine always says tropical on the humidity measuring instrument, and my setup is the biodude soil.

[@ashlieday5280]

Do you recommend a drainage layer?

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Usually not needed for an arid set up.

[@ashlieday5280]

@@Dakotahblueexotics perfect, thanks! I'm working on my beardies 4×2×2 enclosure and am planning on making it bioactive! This video helped a lot :)

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

This is well done and thorough! Looks amazing!

[@Dakotahblueexotics]

Thank you sir!