After finding out one of the "Leopard Geckos" was actually an African Fat Tailed Gecko... (I didn't know, and it was labeled improperly in the pet store)
I decided to separate them and give them their own tanks. (Though for some reason they were constantly with each other in the old tank--I even put in a separator, and they both refused the separator, figuring ways over and under even with duct tape, etc. One of them rushed the barrier to get through...). I have an unused 20 gallon long anyway. I figure I can make it open from the front with some engineering skills. (And I have time to spare)
And want to do an upgrade for both, so they won't miss each other and so I can give them better care.
So I've been researching Bioactive tanks, but there are so many choices for substrates and they don't answer my questions:
- How complicated is it to do a bioactive substrate for a leopard gecko by mixing it myself?
I have eco Earth, forest floor, sand, and I can get powdered clay. (I also incidentally have most of the plants needed already for both geckos). If I mix the soil myself, what are the proportions for that?
- How does the biodude manage to not have a bottom layer to his substrate?
My Leopard gecko loves to dig. So I'm kinda worried about her burrowing to the bottom and kicking things she shouldn't and accidentally swallowing them.
- Will I have to change out the soil once I have the clean up crew in there?
Aquariums, you're supposed to do it every few years even with a bioactive set up because the soil get old, etc. Like should I add more leaves every so often, add food for the clean up crew, etc.
- What is the difference between the bought substrates for growing plants?
Arcadia?
Biodude?
Josh's frogs?
- Are red worms a good idea to add to the tank?
- I also have rice straw (rice hay) a ton of it from a different project. Is it OK to use rice hay in the bioactive tank? If so, would it substitute for the spagnum moss or the leaf litter or would it be separate?
I decided to separate them and give them their own tanks. (Though for some reason they were constantly with each other in the old tank--I even put in a separator, and they both refused the separator, figuring ways over and under even with duct tape, etc. One of them rushed the barrier to get through...). I have an unused 20 gallon long anyway. I figure I can make it open from the front with some engineering skills. (And I have time to spare)
And want to do an upgrade for both, so they won't miss each other and so I can give them better care.
So I've been researching Bioactive tanks, but there are so many choices for substrates and they don't answer my questions:
- How complicated is it to do a bioactive substrate for a leopard gecko by mixing it myself?
I have eco Earth, forest floor, sand, and I can get powdered clay. (I also incidentally have most of the plants needed already for both geckos). If I mix the soil myself, what are the proportions for that?
- How does the biodude manage to not have a bottom layer to his substrate?
My Leopard gecko loves to dig. So I'm kinda worried about her burrowing to the bottom and kicking things she shouldn't and accidentally swallowing them.
- Will I have to change out the soil once I have the clean up crew in there?
Aquariums, you're supposed to do it every few years even with a bioactive set up because the soil get old, etc. Like should I add more leaves every so often, add food for the clean up crew, etc.
- What is the difference between the bought substrates for growing plants?
Arcadia?
Biodude?
Josh's frogs?
- Are red worms a good idea to add to the tank?
- I also have rice straw (rice hay) a ton of it from a different project. Is it OK to use rice hay in the bioactive tank? If so, would it substitute for the spagnum moss or the leaf litter or would it be separate?