CUSTOM BIOACTIVE MOURNING GECKO ENCLOSURE! | How to setup gecko tank!!

How to setup a custom mourning gecko tank! This vivarium is completely bioactive, filled with live plants, a clean-up crew and everything needed for any gecko. This tank will house my group of mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris). Check out the Links 👇
Product Links:
Tanks: - amzn.to/30XGMEV - amzn.to/3I0b6iy
Foam: Black: amzn.to/32CWWE5 Yellow: amzn.to/3rdLjhd
Dremmel Tool: amzn.to/3cVXuXw
Shop Vac: amzn.to/32yBoZ7
Nano Light Dome: amzn.to/3p3lgXa
Exo Terra LED: amzn.to/3FSyQUg
Quikrete Charcoal: amzn.to/3nSfCrv Quikrete Terra Cotta: amzn.to/3xwGGzJ
Acrylic Paint: amzn.to/3xwGLDx
Mixing Sticks: amzn.to/3DZcxM0
Paintbrushes: amzn.to/3xzT5TB
Varnish: amzn.to/3cRi2R1
Website: www.thejunglevault.ca/
Merch: teespring.com/stores/alpharep...
Instagram: / alpha.reptile
Facebook: / alphareptile
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: / miketytula
00:00 Intro
00:38 Costa Rica Teaser
1:10 What you’ll need
4:54 Background Build
11:15 Setting up the Enclosure
13:33 Planting the Vivarium
14:40 Outro

[@BeckyS]

I absolutely love watching bioactive tank builds - the more you make the more I'll watch! Id love to see someone addressing long term care and maintenance, especially in a tank where a water feature is foamed in. Love the geckos, and I bet they love their home. Great work!

[@MikeTytula]

Water features typically don't end well in my experience. They can be done extremely well and still something will go wrong haha. I will definitely be making a video about their care and what not in the near future, just wanted to get this one out!

[@rachelkunz611]

Looks great 😁 Thank you for sharing this!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching Rachel!

[@pamelaharris5055]

This is a really helpful tutorial - thanks for posting!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!

[@barbhelle5481]

You did a great job Mike.

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks Barb! I kind of threw it together, but it seemed to work out!

[@tigerlilly7889]

Love the video cant wait to see the GECKOS in the tank :)

[@MikeTytula]

Ya I'm definitely going to need to spruce it up a bit again because I let the tank dry out a little too much before the geckos were in the tank.

[@joshjh4407]

This is a amazing build I have a 12x12x18 exo terra sitting around might do this one day! Love from the UK!

[@MikeTytula]

If it's just sitting there whats stopping you?

[@ingeniouspixie]

Awesome! Totally looks do-able and perfect for my NEW Exo-Terra Dart frog tank!! (Happy dance Happy dance)

[@MikeTytula]

That's awesome!

[@JUSTDOIT539]

🦎🦎🦎🦎 Love the build Mike!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks Allison! They geckos seem to be enjoying it as well! (I actually built this tank in like June haha)

[@Kar41run]

🦎 great video, thank you for the inspiration

[@MikeTytula]

No problem!

[@kymberlysteiger8125]

Can’t wait to see the cute little 🦎🦎 🦎’s in their new home 🏡 And of course more Costa Rica 🇨🇷 footage!

[@MikeTytula]

There will be plenty of Costa Rica footage coming next week and shortly after!

[@bigbruffy1976]

🦎 thanks for sharing.

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@jph290]

🦎 Looks amazing!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoyed!

[@jph290]

@@MikeTytula I did. I am going to use this method when my new enclosures get here in the next couple weeks. Got some of the Toad Ranch enclosures.

[@lauradietrich6736]

Glad to have found another Episcia and mourning gecko fan! 🦎 🦎 🦎

[@MikeTytula]

I do enjoy both of those things haha.

[@ABINASH87]

Awesome 👌

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks man!

[@apss5736]

awesome enclosure mike

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks man! You weren't first this time hahah

[@steviedenogean6918]

🦎 love the build makes me wanna do a background for mine

[@MikeTytula]

Do it :)

[@rickcroney1286]

Nice build 🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks Rick! Much appreciated

[@TheGrandChaosMaster]

Can’t wait to get my Mourning Geckos!

[@MikeTytula]

They are such interesting little geckos!

[@rickycubUK]

Cannot wait to see the Costa Rica video's and see if you spot any different GECKO's ;)

[@MikeTytula]

There was plenty of geckos that we saw, and so much more! We actually did see mourning geckos as well hahah

[@Jeff-kx1po]

Geckos are cool

[@MikeTytula]

They most certainly are!

[@T.K.FExoticCreations]

Awesome video, I am going to get some morning geckos in my 3x3 I'm building

[@MikeTytula]

Nice! What else are you planning on putting in it?

[@chilzky14]

🦎 i love the drylock applications but something about the dirt/ peat moss/ coco fiber app make bioactive scream a more naturalistic look and feel to me. But also the drylovk does give it a stone wall look which is awesome too. Some of these builds just dont have much room for the tenants after all said and done. But great job mike.

[@MikeTytula]

Ya they both offer different aesthetics.

[@oscarshah480]

Great video. Thanks for sharing :) (Gecko)

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!

[@tomaspinheiro9068]

That's fire! I mean... Fuego! 😂

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching until the end! And thanks for subscribing!

[@LakesReptiles]

Super smooth editing here, it came out really clean

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it! I kind of like the whole voice recorded after type deal

[@LakesReptiles]

@@MikeTytula when done like this it definitely works, I’m trying to do that right now for a video but it’s not going as well as yours haha

[@MikeTytula]

hahah I'm glad you think it turned out well, because I completely winged this video!

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

I have a simple 8x8x12 for my mourning gecko. I made it bioactive though and she’s happy as a clam in there 😃🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Nice! IMO a little small for an adult, but a perfect size for raising them up.

[@christysank7705]

Gecko, this is so cool and this will help me learn more about Gecko habitat

[@MikeTytula]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@christysank7705]

@@MikeTytula thank

[@alyssawoodruff5914]

I'm about to set up my first bioactive tomorrow and I'm so excited! Your video is very helpful/inspirational! Also, side note, your voice sounds to me like Hiccup from HTTYD 😅🙈

[@MikeTytula]

Hahah I’ve been told that before! Thanks for watching and good luck :)

[@WitchersCreatures]

Amazing job Mike! Can’t wait to see it once the plants have really grown in.

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks so much! I actually setup this tank a couple months ago, and I let it dry out a little too much. I'll have to do a little sprucing up hahah

[@WitchersCreatures]

@@MikeTytula omg nooo! Well can’t wait to see the new setup then lol.

[@MikeTytula]

@@WitchersCreatures hahah ya going to need some new plants in there but it should be even more epic!

[@WitchersCreatures]

@@MikeTytula if it’s as epic as you say it’s going to be then I can’t wait to see it. Can’t wait to see what plants you’re going to use this time.

[@MikeTytula]

@@WitchersCreatures I mean it's the same tank, so it won't be much more epic, but it will look different and hopefully work this time.

[@easternshorescreenprinting5426]

Can't wait to see your travel content!

[@MikeTytula]

It will hopefully be several great videos!

[@easternshorescreenprinting5426]

@@MikeTytula Really looking forward to it! Been watching your channel for a long time! So much great info

[@MikeTytula]

@@easternshorescreenprinting5426 Oh really> that's awesome! I don't recognize the name, but maybe you don't comment all that often?

[@easternshorescreenprinting5426]

@@MikeTytula I honestly just started commenting on videos at all. Realized how much it helps creators. Especially now that I own my own business!

[@MikeTytula]

@@easternshorescreenprinting5426 Ahh thats makes sense! Well thanks for the engagement as well as the kind words and your support!

[@allysontl3401]

I'm enjoying watching backgrounds bring made. I'll be creating my first background sorta like that. Just cork tile and a bunch of wood pieces though - the drylock method seems like too much to me. 🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Ya it can definitely be a lot, as a first background the method you are considering is optimal

[@JupiterJamie]

Excellent job! I've been trying to find a mourning GECKO breeder near me for a while now. I just can't manage the shipping cost. No luck at my last expo, but maybe this coming February!

[@MikeTytula]

Where are you located?

[@ReptiHero]

Good Job! Pero los lugubris son muy hábiles para escapar, cuidado! 👏

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for the concern! They are well contained in there, I sealed all the different escape roots!

[@MrElchauve]

Amazing build. Did you seal the foam border with silicone?

[@MikeTytula]

I don't think I did on this one!

[@hereshetep2337]

geckos rule 🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Heck ya they do!

[@torquess454]

I can not wait to see your Costa Rica trip with da boiz! That exoterra bulb, is it just light, or uv as well? I see peeps put isopods in there with the springtails, what’s the difference?

[@MikeTytula]

The exo bulb is just light! Being that there are so many UVB LEDs hitting the market now, I'm sure there's will be coming at some point haha. Isopods serve a slight different purpose in the enclosure.

[@daniellerepp6093]

Gecko!!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching Danielle

[@Loviekinz]

I love these tanks, but I keep mine in a plastic container with paper towels. Helps me know where they are at all times to avoid escaping. I only have 2 adults. I have a ton of eggs but none have hatched yet. The longest egg has been waiting since the end of July. - GECKO

[@MikeTytula]

Their eggs take forever!

[@Loviekinz]

@@MikeTytula hah after I posted this, I got my first baby! I have it in a little setup by itself, sadly the sibling egg got eaten so it has to be a little loner until it's big enough to not get eaten itself. Really hope it makes it, looks fully formed and good though and seems active so i'm hopeful. :)

[@MikeTytula]

@@Loviekinz That's great to hear! Hopefully it makes it! I kept babies in with the adults with no issues, but raising it alone is probably for the best!

[@sarahhuffman3366]

Gecko!!!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@Timothee_Chalamet_CMBYN]

Im just here to watch but def just keeping my gecko in a 10 gallon simple set up. Can’t afford this or would know how to donit 😂

[@MikeTytula]

Ya that’s totally fair

[@catherinesaulnier5448]

Gecko 🦎....Awesome tank...so sphagnum is not something used anymore as a layer before leaf litter...or is this just for Geckos🦎.would you make same build for dart frogs 🐸🌿👍❤

[@MikeTytula]

I never do a layer of sphagnum. Sometime I will incorporate into the substrate layer though. This could be for darts if you wanted it to be, but I would have choosen different placement for the wood and different plant selection.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

The carving step isn't strictly necessary. Dry-lock will paint onto smooth surfaces. So you only have to carve if you don't like the look of the foam, but that look won't be as prominent if you stick some kinda substrate to it.

[@MikeTytula]

I'm guessing long term the dry lok won't stick as well to the uncarved foam as it does to the carved foam.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

@@MikeTytula I think you're probably right. Of all the related videos I've seen only one has chosen to forego the carving practice and I haven't seen any updates from it. Still, I wonder though. I've also heard people say silicone won't stick because it's too smooth, yet it sticks to glass like glue

[@MikeTytula]

Who doesn't carve their setups?

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

@@MikeTytula it wasnt a prominent creator. I can't remember now who it was specifically

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

I recently saw an emzotic video where she didn't carve but it was kinda half-assed, imo. It was supposed to be for a gecko but she just ended up tossing a large roach in it. I don't get it lol. Weird. No offense to her, though, just seemed rushed, I guess. I'll definitely be carving mine.

[@martindumouchel5894]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching

[@christines.7419]

Gecko 🙂

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching Christine!

[@Loviekinz]

Also gecko ;)

[@MikeTytula]

Ayyye thanks for watching ;)

[@PerryTribeMetalBaker]

gecko!!

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@beverlyjensen443]

What fun! You don't spray well with water after putting the plants in...or do you wait till animals go in? 🦎🦟

[@MikeTytula]

I soak it down a few times before the substrate is even in. Before the geckos go in I treat it like theres geckos in there, meaning I mist it daily and check up that everything is doing okay.

[@johnagen3688]

Can u do a follow up of this.

[@MikeTytula]

What did you want to know?

[@SamCityLPs]

Go to taiwan!!! they have some cool reptiles there man

[@MikeTytula]

Ya that would be really neat!

[@ninolaisne5465]

and how long for the smell of the paint to go away

[@MikeTytula]

Typically a couple days!

[@jeremybradford7244]

Hey Mike, so I have my leopard gecko that is eight years old in a desert style enclosure and I was wondering if you thought it would be ok to transfer her to a completely different enclosure with different hides and substrate and just an overall different place.

[@MikeTytula]

uhh depending what you are planning to change her over too that should be no issue.

[@jeremybradford7244]

@@MikeTytula ok thanks!!! I hope she likes it

[@MikeTytula]

As do i!

[@ninolaisne5465]

Does the foam harden when you need to respray on the second side? Do you just open another can?

[@MikeTytula]

Normally it remains useable to complete the entire tank.

[@Colorado-Coyote]

I'm assuming I don't need a heater.

[@MikeTytula]

Depends on the temperature of their enclosure

[@Kay_Reptiles_]

Do you ever have issues with the babies escaping from the crack between the door and the sides?🦎 loved the build by the way!

[@MikeTytula]

Not in this specific tank but I know there are some tanks that do let that happen. Something to worry about it is the gap in the top of the tank.

[@Kay_Reptiles_]

@@MikeTytula thank you so much I have the same tank I’m thinking of setting up for mourning geckos but was hesitant because of this, so now I will go ahead and do it and foam the the top sliding hole thank you for the heads up!

[@MikeTytula]

The build varies per tank, some exos they'll escape from, some they won't.

[@guillermoatayde7471]

🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@Commander_Thorn.]

🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching

[@oceanbalsley-roupe1013]

Where do you buy your wood? Have been looking for bulk buy

[@MikeTytula]

If you find someone to buy bulk, let me know hahah

[@jamiecaudlereptilecorner5981]

I think Amazon is messing with your link everything that you linked is unavailable. Love the finished tank great job.

[@MikeTytula]

Really? I will double check!

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

I've ordered my tank and some of the supplies. I believe I'm gonna go drylock over silicone and coco fiber. I heard that it's easier for geckos to climb on and for plants to grow upwards on. Is this true?

[@MikeTytula]

Not sure why you would waste the money on the silicone and substrate if you are going to be covering it in drylok. I'd just do one or the other.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

@@MikeTytula I didn't buy both lol. Just the drylok. Now I have some deep holes in the foam that I haven't been able to get the drylok all the way into, which makes me regret not using the silicone and substrate method. I'm wondering if it will be a problem. I watched Troy's video of the build on one of his large tanks and he does one coat of drylok and he doesnt fully coat the foam on that one at all. I couldn't find the black foam, unfortunately, so the deep holes are plain to see, and there are a lot of them. I'm gonna try to fill them with hot glue, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get to all of them. They weren't obvious until I put a dark coat of drylok on the foam, which made them really stand out. I'm worried water might collect in them and mold or mildew and crash the tank's ecosystem. I think some of the holes lead into large air pockets under the foam.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

My substrate, mesh, leca and microfauna is coming in today, yikes

[@MikeTytula]

@@LukeMcGuireoides Nice!

[@MikeTytula]

@@LukeMcGuireoides You could always let the drylok finish drying and fill a couple spots with the silicone and substrate method?

[@brendenleal7829]

🦎🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching, hopefully you enjoyed!

[@raven5144]

What is the full name for the flowering plant you added to the top?

[@MikeTytula]

I believe a cultivar of this species, Episcia cupreata

[@raven5144]

@@MikeTytula thank you

[@MikeTytula]

@@raven5144 No problem!

[@ninolaisne5465]

how long do you wait before adding another coat of dryly

[@MikeTytula]

Wait for it to dry completely.

[@ninolaisne5465]

@@MikeTytula how long does it usually take like a couple hours

[@MikeTytula]

Ya it depends how thick of a layer your applied

[@ChantalsCritters]

Do you think that a heat gun would work?🦎 Great video.

[@MikeTytula]

Heat gun would work for what?

[@ChantalsCritters]

@@MikeTytula instead of cutting

[@MikeTytula]

Nah because it basically makes the same coating which reduces the adhesion.

[@ChantalsCritters]

@@MikeTytula oh ok

[@MikeTytula]

@@ChantalsCritters Ya believe me I wish it worked hahah

[@geraldmyers8010]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@HFISHING]

🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Yes indeed!

[@alexanderachter5914]

Hey, where do you apply the terra Cotta?

[@MikeTytula]

Not really sure I understand the question? Maybe include the timestamp where you had the question

[@alexanderachter5914]

9:25 there's charcoal and Terra Cotta quickrete, but where does the terra get used?

[@MikeTytula]

I used it mostly as some highlights and mixed into the other colors.

[@alexanderachter5914]

Like during the touch up phase?

[@MikeTytula]

The detail phase, ya

[@nicklasdupont5679]

gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidforsyth4073]

Gecko Imogi 😂

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@rhyswerner1748]

Apparently these guys can “coexist” with other species. Is that true?

[@MikeTytula]

In general, yes.

[@terra_linus9194]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching

[@alvinalejandro7430]

🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@fiona0236]

🦎🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@anonymkomodovaran6078]

gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnmonahan365]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@monicaharmonica7152]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@drae437]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@jungle__bites806]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@pklfeedtheflame]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@MommaBean518]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@8fuzzybuzz]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@Noedeltas]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks!

[@bmadd3614]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@josephdelaney7684]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@snawnson5519]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@magicalmacaw]

🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@mayamarch9353]

🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@210exoticreptiles7]

🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@dmax6080]

🦎🦎🦎

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hopefully you enjoyed the video

[@lanadeaton5588]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching Lana!

[@hmoobvaj0231]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@monajakobsson9447]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!!

[@rolfthomasgrindhaug1637]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@adamzocchi]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@barbhelle5481]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks!

[@stacyyingst5916]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@tngal5807]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@debrakostick8239]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@luispaiva4905]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrispeters8515]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed!

[@chrispeters8515]

@@MikeTytula absolutely picking up my MGs in December and this was very helpful

[@MikeTytula]

Fantastic! Good luck with them!

[@jenniferirelan1606]

Gecko

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching!

[@jenniferirelan1606]

I love your content. And the animals you have. Thank you for your blogs

[@MikeTytula]

Thanks for watching Jennifer!