First bioactive enclosure tips/guide

[Mats]

I'm planning out my first bioactive enclosure for my crestie and I'm unsure where to go for the substrate layer? I've heard that I should plan on mixing soil (I'll be using reptisoil) with coconut husk, moss, etc. This is the first time I've heard of mixing substrate and I'm pretty lost, so if somebody could guide me through a list of the best products, that would be great. Thank you!

 

[acpart]

The traditional way to do it is to get hydroton expanded clay balls and put about a 2" layer on the bottom. Cover that with a layer of screen and put your substrate on top of that. In the old days I used coco fiber which I still have in many of my enclosures, Some people use special soil mixes and one place to look for those mixtures is a joshsfrogs.com. They have a soil mixture that they say eliminates the need for the clay balls and the screen. I have that in a few of my enclosures and it works well. If you ask them a question, they're very responsive.

Aliza

 

[Mats]

The traditional way to do it is to get hydroton expanded clay balls and put about a 2" layer on the bottom. Cover that with a layer of screen and put your substrate on top of that. In the old days I used coco fiber which I still have in many of my enclosures, Some people use special soil mixes and one place to look for those mixtures is a joshsfrogs.com. They have a soil mixture that they say eliminates the need for the clay balls and the screen. I have that in a few of my enclosures and it works well. If you ask them a question, they're very responsive.

Aliza

Thanks for the reccomendation! Do you remember if it was either of these, and if not, which would be better/more suitable for a crestie?
https://joshsfrogs.com/sp/josh-s-frogs-tropical-biobedding-bioactive-substrate-4-quarts-jfc81548

Josh's Frogs TROPICAL BioBedding Bioactive Substrate (10 quarts)

joshsfrogs.com

 

[acpart]

I can't really figure out the difference between these two products. I recommend you contact joshsfrogs.com and ask them.

Aliza

 

[BrandyMontana]

I'm planning out my first bioactive enclosure for my crestie and I'm unsure where to go for the substrate layer? I've heard that I should plan on mixing soil (I'll be using reptisoil) with coconut husk, moss, etc. This is the first time I've heard of mixing substrate and I'm pretty lost, so if somebody could guide me through a list of the best products, that would be great. Thank you!

I actually buy the premixed bio substrate. It has everything you need. I wouldn’t do it any other way. I buy it from Josh’s Frogs.

 

[Sylvia1982]

Mixing substrate is totally normal for bioactive—it's actually the whole point. You want your soil to hold enough moisture without getting waterlogged, and that's hard with one component alone. A simple ratio that works is 60% organic potting soil to 40% coconut coir, or if you want more control, roughly 40% soil, 30% coco, 10% sand, 10% bark, and a top layer of sphagnum moss. ReptiSoil is a solid middle option if you want something easier than mixing five things yourself—it's peat-based and designed to support both plants and your cleanup crew. Just make sure whatever you use is fertilizer-free, and sift out any huge chunks to avoid impaction. The key is layering: drainage at the bottom (LECA or lava rock), then your mixed substrate, then moss and leaf litter on top. Once it's set up, add springtails and isopods to do the heavy lifting. Wrote up the full assembly and component breakdown https://answerlode.com/pets-animals/crested-gecko-bioactive-substrate-guide/ if you want to dig deeper into ratios and maintenance.