I have a 5x2x2 that I am going to set up for my Solomon island ground boa, Jolene. I really want to make her a nice vibrant naturalistic setup, bioactive if possible. I am not very diy savvy or creative. Is there someone that would be willing to give me some pointers and as much of a “guide for dummies” as possible? Her current enclosure is straight soil but it gets dry and I feel like I’m missing something to give it “life”. Plant ideas are welcome also. I’m sure she will just flatten them like she did her last pothos but I love seeing the green.
Awwwww. Jolene is lovely Erin!
The Bio Dude and Josh’s Frogs have great choices of substrates that are already premixed for whatever temp and humidity you are going to keep for Jolene. You can also create your own substrate. Of course your isopods will have to be compatible with the humidity and heat levels.
Unfortunately @logar Logan is an expert on bio active but he has been MIA lately. I believe The Bio Dude and Josh’s Frogs have videos regarding bio active setups.
I’m sorry I haven’t helped you much but maybe this is a start.
Two questions:
How “hard” do you want to go? How much money do you want to spend?
Thank you for the suggestions I’ll look into these!
In terms of how hard, I’m not handy with making a background or anything like that. But I want to go big with the substrate and decor/hides. I’ve got some wood, cork rounds and a sky hide I’m going to put in there. I’m also looking at putting up a fabric of some sort along the back for some pothos to climb.
Budget I’m trying to not go over a couple hundred but this project is also no rush so it’s something I can do over time if I need to spend more.
I forgot about that thread you made! Thank you for linking it. What did you use for your soil? How are the plants holding up now?
No worries! I figured it was probably along the lines of what you were looking at doing so felt throwing it up would help
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This was why I asked, did not want to suggest you spend hours watching ZooPoxy vids if that is not your thing.
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The background I made for my cage is stupid easy - just glue down cork flats and you are good to go. Lots of texture for plants to climb up. You can also use tree fern panels (I will get a shot of some cages I have done that in later). Looks a lot more natural than fabric too
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I make my own blend - one part coco peat : one part hardwood pellets : one part good quality leaf litter mulch. And then you can add any amendments to it that you like to help customize it toward your specific biome - sphagnum, sand, APS, etc.
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They are doing great. Growing in and looking a lot more natural than when they were first planted. I will get some updated pics today
Promised pics
A shot of both of my 180cm cages. Top is the Candoia, bottom is a black milk snake
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Some closer in shots. Left and right side of the Candoia
And left and right of the black milk (There is an entire hollowed out half log under all that Hoya LOL)
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Lastly, here is a different cage that I have mostly fallow at the moment but it shows how you can use treefern slabs instead of cork to get a nice effect as well