REPTILE ROOM TOUR & DIY ENCLOSURES 2024

Join us for an exciting tour of Brad's incredible bioactive reptile room, featuring DIY enclosures that are sure to inspire! In this video, we're teaming up with Will Exotic ‪@willexotic‬ and Ravishing Reptile ‪@ravishingreptiles‬ to explore a variety of fascinating species.
Highlights include:
Vibrant Dart Frogs
Mesmerizing Chameleon
Rare Lanthanotis Boreiensis (Earless Monitor)
Various other captivating monitor species that include Asian water monitor Varanus Cumingi, Macraei BlueTree Monitor, Mertensi Mertens monitor, Acanthurus Ackie monitor.
Gargoyle Gecko
We'll also share some behind-the-scenes footage and provide updates on the enclosures. Whether you're a seasoned herpetologist or just curious about reptiles, this tour offers something for everyone.
If you want to support me more & get bonus content, 1 0n 1 video calls, plus early release videos and more please consider joining my Patreon.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
patreon.com/us...
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more reptile adventures!

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

Freaking speechless at how beautiful these enclosures are

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@DoorsToHideBehind156 Thank you. They were definitely some fun projects!

[@mikesmonitors1148]

Great video Bro! Thanks for always shouting Mike's Monitors! out! ❤️

[@pumpkinchow]

You deserve to get shout outs and you should be proud. I know I definitely look up to you your definitely one of the greats. I always enjoy watching your videos and learning whatever you share. I can’t wait for the day I get a monitor from you and can shout out Brad for the enclosure ideas and Uncle Mike for the amazing one of kind monitor. I’m just finishing up redoing some enclosures and gotta make couple more so once I finish all that I’ll definitely be talking to you bud. Wish you all the best and hope all is well 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx bro and I always gotta shout out greatness my friend. Looking forward to editing the video we recorded by your place next! 🤘💯🤘

[@MrHillbilly]

Mike do you sell baby monitors? I’m looking for something that’s not a Nile monitor. 😂 did that and now looking for something more friendly and less bite my hand off!

[@pumpkinchow]

@@MrHillbilly check out his morphmarket account

[@TamNguyen-zv9pd]

Bad ass!! I think a lace monitor will complete your collection 😉

[@pumpkinchow]

Definitely need lace monitors and croc monitor. When I think of Brad doing a croc monitor enclosure it’s just absolutely epic. 🤯 blows my mind even a lace monitor enclosure would absolutely be awesome to see how he would do it. Brad is absolutely inspiring and has a wealth of knowledge. We need more people like him in the reptile community

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Tam.... you are very tempting, my friend! Bells phase would be awesome! Some day this will happen!

[@pumpkinchow]

You guys are awesome and truly seems like a blast all hanging out together 😂 that’s cool though making friends. 3 of my favorite channels getting together definitely made my day. I wish you all the best and hope you guys have a great day stay awesome 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you, it was a blast filming and hanging out with Will and Alex all weekend. Did a lot of cool stuff. It's cool meeting other content creators and hobbyist. Wishing you the best too and Thank you for your continued support!

[@truemads8828]

Unbelievably good enclosures. Good work!

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@truemads8828 thank you!

[@ravishingreptiles]

Man, what a great time. Video came out amazing dude !!

[@pumpkinchow]

You guys really seemed to have a great time together that’s awesome man. I definitely had few laughs just watching 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx bro! It took all 3 of us to make it a great video! Till next time!

[@willexotic]

Iris truly has my heart

[@pumpkinchow]

You three need to do more videos together 😂 stay awesome bud 🙋‍♂️✌️

[@willexotic]

@@pumpkinchow i agree😂these my guys

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@@pumpkinchow more will be revealed 🤘💯🤘

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@willexotic she is definitely an amazing little lady! She doesn't just walk onto anyone bro!

[@MrHillbilly]

I’ve learned so much from Brad! Thank you and keep teaching! Someday I’ll be watching Brads zoo on KZbin! 👊🏻

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx bro! Much appreciated and hopefully 1 day there will be a Brad's Bioactive Builds ZOO 🤘💯🤘

[@kaimanacoyaso7864]

This channel has the most badass enclosures I have ever seen! Awesome bro 🤙🏻

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you very much! 🤘💯🤘

[@hannahworley3336]

Awesome video!

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you! Your continued support is appreciated!

[@GarysmostlyMonitors]

Thats print @willexotic and @ravishingretiles got you is 🔥

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

I know right! I was totally not expecting such a cool gift! They are 2 amazing guys for sure!

[@GarysmostlyMonitors]

Always good to see my favorite tubers doing some colab videos.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

That it is, you rock Gary and stay awesome!

[@GarysmostlyMonitors]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds monitor fest 2025 baby. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼. Riddler better show or Im goin over the pond for him 😂😂

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@@GarysmostlyMonitors 2025 will be a good one bro and we will catch the redeye to kidnap him lol

[@GarysmostlyMonitors]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds Im down 😂

[@ravishingreptiles]

Loved this video so much had to rewatch it. Can’t wait to DRIVE up next year 🤣❤️

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Lol, yeah, it was cool watching it too. I got to relive the great time we had. And bro, stake your claim and fly! See you again sometime soon!

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Anyone reading this make sure to subscribe to Ravishing Reptiles. He puts out some amazing content.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Can't wait to see that new paludarium build!

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx, it's coming along nicely, waiting on some more zoopoxy to get in so I'm at a little bit if a standstill. Hopefully have another video out soon once that comes in!

[@jermaineconwayjr7991]

So inspiring! Fantastic job man

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@@jermaineconwayjr7991 thank you 💯

[@vids595]

Fantastic earless paludarium! For paludariums I have moved to using external canister filters with inline heaters. That way all maintenance or equipment replacement can be performed without working inside the enclosure.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx! Yup, I agree, that's how I would like to do these types of enclosures but this one I wanted to build as simple as possible. I will most likely be swapping it out information a canister filter in the future with a heater connected to the hose like I did in my 36x18x36 paludarium.

[@leegraham1732]

One of my favourite vids thanks for sharing 👍🏻 the cummingi is growing fast

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you and yes he is! He is such a cool Varanus to work with!

[@Dendo_Dave]

Great video bro ❤

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you! 🤘💯🤘

[@andrewhodgson6985]

Absolutely quality 👍

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you!

[@Milquetoast702]

I love it

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you, it was a fun video to do!

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Excellent tour. Brad does some of the most amazing enclosures I've ever seen. Love this channel.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thanx Luke, I'm glad you enjoyed the tour. Your continued support is appreciated!

[@michaelsturgill666]

Awesome video. Thank you for all the in dept build videos you have done. You truly are an inspiration in the hobby/lifestyle of reptile keeping. Think I have finally decided on the bioactive build I am going to do.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you very much! And I enjoy showing others what I have learned to try and make it easier for others What kind of build are you gonna do?

[@michaelsturgill666]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds I have decided on what some would call me crazy for. I'm doing a triple build all connected forming a huge L shaped bioactive one. A corner one ( haven't worked out the size of it yet) connecting two 6 ft long 3 ft wide and 6 ft high ones. the whole thing will be bioactive

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@@michaelsturgill666 that sounds AMAZING!

[@TikisGeckos]

Insane set ups! I am happy to see one of my geckos living its best life out there with you. Great hob

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you! He is doing great and lovin life! 🤘💯🤘

[@user-id1xy4ns9q]

I don't typically comment on youtube, probably a couple times a year. This video seems fitting for a comment. Beautiful builds and super healthy animals thanks for sharing brother. One question are all your tanks on wheels? Sounds like something I should invest in haha

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Well, thank you for commenting! I used to be the same way until I started creating content, so I get it. I'm glad you enjoy the builds. To answer your question, my 2 bigger enclosures are on casters, but the large 8x4x6 paludarium I'm building is not bc of the water weight (300 gallons) plus land area. I'll be adding casters onto the rack if i have to move that around. If you can add casters to enclosures, you will thank me later lol. Thanx for watching!

[@jpslizards]

You're setups are among the best of the best! Where do you get your plants from?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you very much! Glass box tropical online. Reptile shows in IL. Reptile smiles on IG. Home depo, Lowes quarantine for 3-4 weeks. Rinse roots and leaves and plant. Hope this helps

[@jpslizards]

@bradsbioactivebuilds you live in IL? Thought you live further. Mike is always talking about your setups and it was because of him that I learn about your channel. And thank you! I have gotten a couple of plants from Reptiles Smiles when I met her at a show.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@jpslizards yeah man, I found your channel from him to lol. Great guy for sure!

[@jpslizards]

@bradsbioactivebuilds he is! Maybe one day we will meet at a show. I'm thinking about asking him to make part 3 of his facility soon.

[@HKH_Oficial]

Man these enclosures are insane. Such cool animals getting the best homes ever! Out of curiosity, what are the dimensions of your ackie nest box and your tree monitor nest box and how are each of them heated?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@HKH_Oficial thank you, they are definitely fun to put together and rewarding when done! I have full step by step diy builds on all of my enclosures including the blue tree and ackie enclose that goes over all of that. If I had to guess the ackie hide is 16x12ish. Hope this helps

[@HKH_Oficial]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds thx for the help I’ve watched all your build vids lol they are super helpful. 12 tall for the ackie nest box? I’ve always been told they need at least 18 inches for a female

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@HKH_Oficial that's what's up. And in the ackie it's more of a cool humid hide. She usually lays in the dirt right under the basking ledge. Dirt is about 16 inches deep.

[@willexotic]

First again🤧

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

On that video drop like a real one! It was great having you over bro. To anyone reading this make sure you subscribe to my guy, he puts out some amazing content!

[@martincrazereptiles8477]

Give me ideas to do setups like this for my reptiles

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

That's awesome!

[@LEMIEisa_BALLPYTHON713]

I Hi Brad, I don't see the 50/500 spring tails and isopods in my bioactive BP tank. Is there a trick to actually see them or could they be dead? I have a lava and clay drainage level on the bottom of my custom 5ft PVC enclosure, with Josh's frogs substrate barrier and a homemade abg type mix for the plants, I have leaf litter/mulch ,and real wood pieces, that are flat, laying on top of the soil level. I mist once a day and run a small fan for three hours a day. My snake is doing excellent but I didn't see my clean up crew on his defecation yesterday. I picked it up myself and sanitized the wood piece

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Sounds like you are doing everything right, and with that size enclosed, there are also micro climates too. What kind of isopods do you have? How many did you add? How long ago did you add them? What are your temps? What's your humidity?

[@ayh4968]

sorry if I didn't catch it, what are the dimensions of the cumingi enclosure?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@@ayh4968 8x4x5.7

[@Joshua-zv1ux]

What kind of water lizard thing I'm new to the reptile seen

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Welcome to the reptile seen! You might be talking about the Lanthanotus Borneensis aka Borneo Earless Monitor

[@Joshua-zv1ux]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds Thanks

[@cherylj7460]

Do the dart frogs swim?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Not intentionally, they are terrestrial. I have not had a casualty, but for new keepers, I do not suggest having large water features. Hope this helps

[@digimanify]

What’s the name of the monitor that’s in the Ackie enclosure?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@digimanify Varanus Mertensi aka Mertens monitor. They're cool and entertaining to interact with.

[@omarbakir3423]

Is the female Mertens already full-grown?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Nope, she will continue to grow some more! She is amazing!

[@TheReptileJedi]

Alex And Will Look TINY Compared to Brad 😂

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

😂😂😂😂 but they can whoop my a$s in basketball

[@TheReptileJedi]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds Yikes 😬

[@ACapybaraLover]

Whats the moss you use?😅

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

I use a few different types. But mainly Spanish moss, Java moss, fern moss and Christmas tree moss

[@ACapybaraLover]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds thanks so much.😀

[@holdenbaloun5257]

Hey brad. I need some advice. Im looking to get a large lizard, and cant choose between savanna monitor, caiman lizard, or durimels monitor. Caiman is my forst choice, but i dont have experince with water filter and tank regulation. Which of this is the most sustainable lizards, which is the cheapest? I would be happy with any of them, so now I am looking at stricly pricing and hardiness. Ive got to make sure it lives long. Thank you so much!

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@holdenbaloun5257 savannas are usually WC so they usually come in work parasites and dehydrated. So going to the vet 1st thing would be recommended so he lives past 3 weeks. Caiman will need a large water and land section. Check out this video I did on filtration. Sometimes it's worth it to spend more money out of the gate to save money further down the road. Hope this helps and I washing you the best. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJeUinuqlqx7g5osi=lOUvwkUVVg6akc-w

[@holdenbaloun5257]

@bradsbioactivebuilds will do! I recognise you didn't mention the dumerils monitor in your response.I presume then he is probably not the best option? How much are the monthly expenses for caiman lizards vs dumerils if you have the insight to answer? Thanks so much man. Caiman is def my top pick, so lemme get on watching thag vid

[@holdenbaloun5257]

My plan is to buy prebuilt, as I can only house 4x2x2 rn. But within 1/2 a year I am moving and will be able to build a diy. Is it particularly more difficult to implement the filters in a prebuild?

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

@holdenbaloun5257 it really depends on what kind of material the prebuilt is if you can drill a hole for some tubes to attach a exterior canister filter to handle the bioload then youbshouod be good. A 4x2x2 won't last long for a baby of either species

[@holdenbaloun5257]

@@bradsbioactivebuilds I see. I am hoping a 4x2x2 can last 1 year? What do your think?

[@vids595]

It is disappointing to see dart frogs being kept in a palladium. Especially a species that is absolutely awful at swimming. We have seen many instances of these frogs drowning in paludariums but that is not the only risk of keeping darts in paludariums. - Foot rot is a common problem with darts and water feature dramatically increase that risk. - Dart frogs spend most of their time foraging in leaf litter. In the wild they use around 30 cubic meters of space, so committing any space to an unusable water feature is a bad idea. - Pathogen spread is much more likely with a water feature, and some fresh water pathogens that are not harmful to fish can be fatal to darts. The only motive for doing this is aesthetics. Plenty of documented risks and the only motive is for looks.

[@bradsbioactivebuilds]

Thank you for your input and well said. Over the last 9+ years I have not had any of the above issues but in the same breath I would never advise a new keeper to do this until they learn the animal and how to stabilize an environment.