The SECRET To The BEST ARID Bioactive Substrate Mix

[@corald3638]

Great video. Really taught me a lot. I especially appreciated that you showed us how substrate layers work outdoors. Not many of us have access to a good example, and not many other bioactive KZbinrs do that.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Aww thank you kindly

[@danwilson5160]

I use darkling beetles and desert milipedes as my cleanup crew. Leopard gecko doesn't touch them. There are lots of types of darkling beetle that work well in arid enclosures: mealworm beetles, morio beetles, blue death feigning beetles, etc. Canyon isopods are also quite arid tolerant if you have more humid places for them to hide.

[@mariahhopkins4036]

I know this comment was 8 months ago, but thank you for this

[@olyvia1380]

the cleanup crew is what i’ve been struggling with the most in my bioactive rosy boa setup. this is SO helpful!!! thank you :)

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

Just got our leopard gecko. We're setting up a bioactive enclosure once he's done quarantine. Thanks for the tips on the arid mix, this helps a lot!

[@reptilecare5394]

I’m about 3:30 min into the video and the first portion covered majority of what I was looking for which not many people do cover, I’ve tried to recreate how you described the layers out in nature and found the best way to accommodate for cuc is to keep the watering area for your reptile slightly moist for the cuc living in the surface and add earth worms as in my set ups my cuc use old worm tunnels to breed in and to get from the surface down underneath the substrate into the moist layers, can’t wait to watch the rest of the video and see if there is anything I can improve on, one thing I love about keeping animals bio actively is the amount of information you learn and then in turn see how it reflects in your reptiles behavior

[@jodaddyswoodshop331]

Hey Bud! I have been doing a lot of research on and off KZbin and have some questions for you. Here we go 1- I saw your other video you have out on the substrates.(you know the one where you are wearing the yellow vest out in the park.) I love they way that you took it back to the environment. That gave a great prospective on what we are trying to reconstruct in the enclosures. Now here is the question: When you say clean up crew I am assuming that you are using spring tales as you said in video and isopods. With that said, Why do you not mix in calcium into your jungle mix? Either crushed eggs or calcium in a bottle? 2. Why do the leaves have to be a hardwood origin. Can any fruit tree leafs work as long as they are dry. Mull-berry leaves to be more specific. 3. Once the bio enclosure is up and " running" how do you manage the substrate. As far as the health of the cleaner crew. Do you add anything to the soil to help the cleaner crew for long term for longevity or do you change out the substate all together. Thanks in advance.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Hardwood because softwoods can harbour bad bacteria and absorb negative properties like parasites and deep rooted fungi . Hardwood has more nutrition for the clean up crew to eat intern they fertalise the substrate with there waste meaning no need for calcium in the substrate. With added calcium the animal could injest the substrate causing other problems

[@DawntheCrone77]

I just found out about bio active enclosure s a year ago. Ever since I've been studying for assorted snakes. I'm ready now and thanks to your video, I can set up a arid tank for my baby bull snake. I also have a ball python. She will get the more humid bio active container. You explained it quite clearly, easy to understand. Thanks.

[@ambassadorofpeboiv5366]

This’ll be super helpful with my tenrec enclosure!

[@rebeccaward2152]

This is awesome, definitely using this to inspire a bioactive build I'm putting together for my Dumeril's Boa

[@petramatkovic4122]

This is SUPER helpful. Ill definitely try this for my leopard gecko. I'll just put Earth mix arid in with the top layers. Can't wait to see you Leo's enclosure though!

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I'm just waiting for the hardware store to open

[@Jorduan100]

A damn fine lesson, much appreciated! Just upgraded our Bearded Dragons enclosure, so will be looking to give her the best substrate possible (much better than the temporary one!). We've had to make room for the latest arrival - a baby Australian Water Dragon, exciting times!

[@belindamoles9192]

Yaay I would love a piece of your merch when it comes out x

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I'm looking into it. :)

[@nathankeogh1981]

I have a bioactive setup for my beard dragon Venom. The substrate I use is the Arcadia earth mix arid which is a really nice blend of volcanic rocks and reptile safe soil.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

The problem I found with that was the dust when he was chasing bugs

[@nathankeogh1981]

In my opinion there all the same but one might be better then the other. It isn't that dusty if you mist the substrate down every few days or once a week.

[@plantingwithnat]

I love the video. Your arid substrate mixture, I would use this mixture for my bearded dragon when he's 6 months older and a future leopard gecko. This was a very good illustration of how arid substrate works. The only thing I would add for the 1st layer is Hydroballs and a substrate barrier.

[@lunytunez3634]

one of the best videos i found so far on the substrate topic thanks a milly my good sir oh ive been subscribed and i hit like cause i couldnt find the hit love button lol

[@rdnkenki]

I have Dairy Cow isopods started. They do well with Leopard Geckos. I've tried Top soil ,sand, moss mixture so far

[@Scales13]

This is going to help alot when I get upgrade my leos this weekend

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Good luck

[@Scales13]

@@NORTHERNEXOTICS I think it worked out pretty well theyve settle in nicely. I'm doing a follow up video to the first one this monday.

[@lag---ing...8543]

i suggest boiling the leaves to get rid of anything on the leaf that could hurt your gecko

[@barbhelle5481]

Thank you Richard. I will be changing my Bearded dragons substrate soon. You gave me some good and cheap tips. Stay safe

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Aww thanks a million.. hope your well

[@olivearodriguez9603]

Remember even arid tanks need water for the plants think of the animal you have so you don’t put to much moisture so definitely think of getting more dry plants with small root systems

[@TheNebraskaChick]

What products do you recommend for those of us who don't live in an area where we can just go collect substrate from outside?

[@lavender_z3]

With all this wonderful information being said, if I don’t have a drainage hole, is my bio active tank going to be okay or could that be a problem?

[@Viktor-kb1px]

It can be a wee bit of a problem but drainage is very easy to make, just put gravel there and a piece of cloth over it and it should be fine and well

[@carlyhill4028]

Definitely going to recreate this for my first leopard gecko!

[@thegecko4704]

I use power blue and orange isopods The breed great and they handle arid setups great as long as you had a small humid part for water

[@gollumtheartisticnewt1028]

I’m gonna use this tomorrow for my red knee tarantula setup

[@emilyn2635]

Is top soil just regular soil or is this a specific reptile brand?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Just regular soil

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Organic. No pestasides

[@tonyhind6992]

Great stuff

[@witasw2109]

Another brilliant video Richard. Thanks for that. Tell me this bioactive substrate mix is good for all species? I have Mountain horn dragon. And what You think about hydro ball under this substrate mix? This is my first lizard and I really want now as much as I can about this species but there is not much info. It's not very popular lizard.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

This is good for all arid /scrubland species . I use hydroballs for my drainage layer

[@gzusrlz10]

In my bearded dragon terrarium I use buffalo beetles as a cleanup crew.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Great idea

[@jackjazz8558]

I live down in Australia if I went outside and just went and dug isn’t that already the perfect bioactive soil for a ackie

[@tyresesp9696]

Whats an ackie?

[@jamesjung8931]

@@tyresesp9696 The smallest (?) monitor. Only grows about 2 feet long.

[@chrisgeorgiou3838]

That should be fine as long as you some how sterilize it.😀

[@morganhiebert2380]

Yes that would work! And no you don’t need to sterilize it as that literally ruins the “bioactive” part. You can absolutely use soil from outside, just collect it and keep it quarantined for about a month, and it should be fine!

[@morganhiebert2380]

@@Ash-ev2es you definitely could use it right away, you just run the risk of potentially bringing something harmful in with the soil. The quarantine is to give the soil time to settle in and hopefully show you any bugs or anything that it might have accidentally brought inside that could harm your animal.

[@ScottsInverts]

Might give this a try on some of spider and other invert enclosures

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I did it with my t.albipolosum. She went into hiding for a month but now she's out and about

[@ScottsInverts]

@@NORTHERNEXOTICS went in doors for a molt ?

[@DanielleaBella33]

Would this work for reptiles that burrow? I am getting a rosy boa and have been trying to find the best arid substrate for her enclosure that will allow me to make it bioactive with love plants. But I know rosy’s love to burrow down into their substrate

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Yea perfectly fine

[@DanielleaBella33]

NORTHERN EXOTICS Thank you!!! Quickest reply I’ve ever gotten on KZbin. ☺️🙌🏼

[@louiseckeman2021]

Is it a good idea to add some charcoal too? And in which layer would you put it? Love your vids btw you're so passionate!

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Not in the substrate because your not draining moisture through it. However if you wanted some around your plant roots that would benifit

[@joaquinplantinga350]

Hey in the video at 3:31 I saw stones and was wondering where you got em from

[@carlomalantic4501]

Thanks for this wonderful share. Will the approach be the same for Uromastyx? Maybe you can share more thoughts on this. Thanks!

[@mrazspeaks9071]

This vid helps a lot, damn you need some mill subscribers!!! so useful!! thanks :)

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Feel free to share the channel ;) thanks for the comment. Much appreciated

[@beachaddict7653]

I want to make a soil thar can hold up to 75% humidity. Got a video on that?

[@hakunamatta1]

what topsoil brand do you use?

[@williamwatson9781]

mix natural clay with charcoal over the drainage layer to make a substrate that will allow water to pass through without holding on to it

[@geckosarecute6304]

This is a wonderful video thank you! I want to do a bioactive enclosure for my leo. Though where I live I can't get the very good already made substrates here. So this would help allot! I do have a question you still put the Boi balls layers I think you said this but just wanted to make sure. :) thank you very much! I also know this is an old video though.

[@Dovietail]

In AZ, the cleanup crew is ALL ABOUT BEETLES.

[@noobwithstrawhat9251]

u can use biodude's substrate and if you live in the uk earthmix arid is a good option

[@GNIK__]

I'll be honest, I havnt watched a video of yours in a while.... and fuck me you've come a long way 8k+ subscriber's huge well don't mate 👍

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Awww mate thanks a million. Really working on that 10k goal now

[@TallonC]

How often are you adding new leaf litter?

[@animalloverandericadetmer5485]

The comment I just wrote I do you need to know because I do know you do colonies of Dubia Roaches but my leopard geckos their bio active enclosures are great I don’t have any Dubia Roaches in there I had to add that so I’m sorry I thought it was dubia Roaches colony the other one I used the joshes frogs I do you play balls instead of charcoal and so far it’s been awesome and I do all the things you’re saying so it is a good video so thank you

[@availz2580]

Ik this is 3 years ago but would this work for a bio active western hog nose setup as all my reptiles are bio active accept my hog nose

[@Viktor-kb1px]

I believe this should work for any terrarium, not just arid, if it's moisty enough, it can work perfectly fine for tropical terrarium too

[@iandavies7991]

Subscribed! I don't have reptiles, I'm in to inverts. Crossover audience 🕺

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

We have inverts to. An a.semarnii and a t.ablipolosum and a big ass centepede

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Welcome to the family

[@iandavies7991]

@@NORTHERNEXOTICS Nice 👌

[@jvc8947]

Me too. Reef inverts. Trying to find videos to convince my mini me 11 year old son that his leopard gecko won’t die if I use some sand and a deeper active bed. He’s allowed me to use 1 tablespoon of sand for his 10 gallon 😂. Reef keeping has taught me the benefits of a more natural cleaning approach.

[@fishingwithliam2460]

What should i do if i dont have a drain hole at the bottom of my tank

[@darbones1673]

We have 2 wedge-snouted skinks i'm looking for a substrate that will support their burrows. they need low humidity which is the issue i am finding with a lot of other burrowing substrates. there is very little to help with the setup and care of this skink species and any information would help.

[@butch2726]

Great video! Might want to work on those transitions though 😂

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Normally its alot better . Thanks for the feedback

[@callumthomas9113]

So would you reccomend this for a beardie Richard?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

My beardie is on this. He doesn't have much access to the ground . He's always climbing

[@callumthomas9113]

Haha I love diego! My beardie is only 8 months old but i cant find anything online that says whether to keep a juvenile on a bioactive substrate is safe or not, what do you think?

[@callumthomas9113]

I know you got Diego after a juvenile but I would love to hear your opinion?

[@ashichan3538]

Hoping to go bio with my beardies. I think you mentioned a drainage layer and having to drain that out if need be? How would you do that if it's at the way bottom of the substrate? Thanks for the informative vid!

[@oscarma15]

If I were to do it, I'd probably put like a tube in one corner that sticks out of the dirt and into the bottom. Then just attach a siphon tube to it and siphon the excess water out

[@buglady2254]

I enjoy your transition gimmick. The jumping was cool, but a little cheesy.

[@davidredmond8279]

I live in the Sonoran Desert. Near Phoenix AZ. Theres many two soils.. Rocky soils with lots of sand and gravel and some dirt. And then theres clay like soil with sand and gravel. You cant just dig with ur hands! And neither are like that soil in that forest at all. The ground is pretty hard to concrete like clay soil. U need to go to the real desert!

[@mangetout9882]

Is this safe for leos I'd just worry about sand

[@Czesin]

i think dried coco fiber can achieve a similar result as it dusty and act like sand if u have enough and can be used with the lightly wet coco fiber have yet to test it myself

[@myzoo2856]

Ya it is because the sand is mixed in and also very fine

[@anthonysmith7196]

for my bearded dragons

[@kylebuckley-mayall93]

How could you make an arid bioactive setup work for tarantulas? I have a L. Parahybana, a G. Pulchripes & a B. Auratam all of which are arid terrestrial species. Wondering what clean up crew would be safe and effective

[@kelvinengland3991]

L. P is a rainforest species.

[@Izaac_Artist]

Can you use any Sand ?

[@davidcrookes3483]

Eventually a: Starred/Painted/Clown Agama

[@lornafletcher6174]

Hi, was wondering if you could do a video on how to maintain a bioactive enclousure? Ive tried bioactive twice now for the beardie and i cant get the humidity levels to stay level. As a result Blu has a had a few respiratory infections due to the rising humidity levels. Would appreciate some helpful advice.

[@JJ-ji9xx]

Where do you live? How's the climate? Make sure you have plenty of ventilation, adding a false bottom can help especially if the bottom of your enclosure has a drain. Water very rarely and only very small amounts. Use well draining substrate, maybe add gravel on the bottom layer of ur substrate. If all else fails, use a mini fan on top of the enclosure (make sure your animal can't reach it). Also you can use timers if you want. The fan keeps air circulating and removes evaporation quicker. Also make sure your room is well ventilated.

[@Carl_Carabao]

how about for scorpions? how to set up arid bioactive

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Yea for more arid species

[@lornafletcher6174]

could you still use this setup if you didnt have plants? i cant afford a grow light

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Yes it's great

[@joshcommon5317]

HOW DO YOU DRIAN OUT THE EXTRA WATER WITH AN EXOTERRA TYPE OF TANK LIKE THE ONE IN THE VIDEO.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I never need to. Good plant growth means the plants will absorb water.

[@kanyenorth5711]

hi mate, just wondering, how do you feed your reptile in a bioactive? i’ve always assumed that the feeder insects would just hide in the leaf litter.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I personally tong feed but occasionally I just throw a load of non burrowing bugs in there and let him hunt. Ads good mental enrichment

[@kanyenorth5711]

thanks

[@lornafletcher6174]

Can this also be used for beardies

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

It's what I use

[@rustyshackleford7288]

Beetles clean dry envorments

[@briancuprisin4571]

Well done sir. How would you go about draining this particular setup?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Little pipe in the corner to Syphon the excess out

[@monsterkajiu1912]

Can you do a 2022 update?

[@maduzilla4677]

I am thinking about using this natural substrate for my leopard gecko, but I have to ask: there is really no risk of impaction because of that amount of sand? I always look up for safety when changing something on my terrarium, so I am kinda worried.

[@SummaRiot]

Impaction is usually a secondary symptom caused by an underlying condition such as parasites or malnutrition for example. A healthy reptile should be able to pass reasonable quantities of fine substrate without issue. I would also avoid calcium carbonate based sands as the calcium can bind in the intestines of reptiles. I have 16 reptiles in various bio’s for over a year and have witnessed them consume substrate without any adverse reactions. I hope this helps, I believe all reptiles should have the most natural set up and life possible :)

[@ipromisemusic]

How can you grab leaf litter from outside but they say to sterilize wood if you take it from outside?

[@thatgothbrat1992]

So I have made the horrible mistake of joining bearded dragon facebook groups. Which as you can imagine has made me very conflicted. I am going to do a bioactive set up for the beardie I get, but I really wanted your opinion. The enclosure is going to be 4x2x2 could I keep a younger bearded dragon in that setup? It seems like a silly question considering they live in wide open spaces in the wild but I figured I’d get your opinion.

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

That's fine

[@michaelzelaya873]

Can I use this mix for a bearded dragon

[@animalloverandericadetmer5485]

I know I’m late on this video I’m trying to clean the Doobie roach colony because they start to smell when you have the water layers in the bottom so I just started the colony probably about maybe two years ago the other stuff I do know about hopefully this comes out right because I cannot type right now I am a KZbin so I hope it’s not crossing a line because I have service bearded dragons and Crested Geckos and leopard geckos too but I don’t do the teaching guides so I do like your approach on that but my Dubia Roaches I’ve been doing great but now I got a cleanup crew the black beetles in there with them and so far so now I have clumps of wet dirt in the bottom so my best guess is to try them completely out and just did the Dubia Roaches again if you see this please let me know thank you hope everyone is safe

[@thatgothbrat1992]

Could I use this mixture for a bearded dragon?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

It's what I use in mine

[@bethmegansmith4642]

Can you use this for bearded Dragons as well ?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

I do but I compact every layer for mine

[@bethmegansmith4642]

Thanks for your speedy response 🦎

[@desimoon6495]

So basically arid bioactive tanks don't need hydroballs?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Depends. If your using alot of live plants that require water then yes. Use a drainage layer

[@desimoon6495]

@@NORTHERNEXOTICS thank you so much. My leo is going to be soo happy

[@Dumpylongstockings]

Is this the correct substrate for ball pythons?

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

No. This is for arid species

[@Dumpylongstockings]

@@NORTHERNEXOTICS aren’t ball pythons from sub-Saharan grasslands?

[@monsterkajiu1912]

@@Dumpylongstockings they're mostly a tropical species

[@Nikos2016]

Can we use isopods from the wild?i mean from the forest?

[@monsterkajiu1912]

third one here!!!

[@NORTHERNEXOTICS]

Welcome

[@olivearodriguez9603]

Not the best arid setup honestly and also sand is a larger size than dirt is that’s why it goes in the bottom and should remain separate from everything else because this layer would hold all the moisture which slowly will be released as it evaporates to make air pockets in the soil and keep the tanks air quality clear causing circulation of air

[@nigelsreptarachnids5931]

This was pretty hard to follow along to honestly.

[@alc5527]

The use of sand really isnt advised as it can lead to impaction, PLEASE DONT USE SAND

[@carterjacewalkerbraun5192]

Are you British

[@Viktor-kb1px]

I think he's an Aussie