I need help making a bio active terrarium

[Bigbrothet1$$]

I’ve tried making a bio active enclosure before but I was never able to see the isopods and when I tore it apart there were no ispopods at all. What I’m doing differently now is thst I’m going to add coco bark and sphagnum moss, my question is: besides the isopods and springtails should I add earth worms and what are the best isopods to use that are easy to breed and hard to kill?

 

[jamest0o0]

If you want straight cleaning efficiency, giant canyon isopods hands down. They will establish fairly fast and have poop gone within hours or less.

I don’t think earth worms are a good idea for enclosures, eventually they lead to soil compaction as they turn everything into castings. Seems odd since normally you think of them aerating soil, but over time it does the opposite. Basically the soil becomes too rich and dense and almost becomes muddy.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

If you want straight cleaning efficiency, giant canyon isopods hands down. They will establish fairly fast and have poop gone within hours or less.

I don’t think earth worms are a good idea for enclosures, eventually they lead to soil compaction as they turn everything into castings. Seems odd since normally you think of them aerating soil, but over time it does the opposite. Basically the soil becomes too rich and dense and almost becomes muddy.

Oohhhh I’ll definitely look into the giant canion ones. Do you have any tips and tricks on keeping them alive though, like do they require a lot of leaf litter, water, and etc?

 

[jamest0o0]

Honestly they’re very hardy, they survive well in dry(with spots of moisture) or humid conditions. They eat just about anything as well. I had some survive in a bin in my garage over winter which gets below freezing at times lol.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Honestly they’re very hardy, they survive well in dry(with spots of moisture) or humid conditions. They eat just about anything as well. I had some survive in a bin in my garage over winter which gets below freezing at times lol.

Oml that’s perfect then. Does your chameleon ever try to eat them? And what would you recommend as a starting cluster? And besides leaf litter do you use anything to help get them breading faster?