Key Takeaway:
- Keeping your leopard gecko in a bioactive tank is a surefire way to ensure they live a long and healthy life.
- A bioactive tank is a self-sustaining setup that supports plant life and microfauna. The setup mimics the natural habitat of a leopard gecko.
- Bioactive tanks are important for leopard geckos due to their realism, low maintenance, and ability to support a gecko’s natural behavior. Besides, bioactive tanks are pretty hygienic.
- To create a bioactive tank, you need a glass tank, bioactive substrate, plants, isopods, lighting, heat sources, hardscapes, a backdrop, thermometers, and a hygrometer.
- Creating a bioactive tank is all about choosing the right tank, creating the background, creating the drainage layer, setting up the hardscapes, applying the substrate, transferring the plants, introducing the isopods, adding leaf litter, setting up the lighting, and adding the thermometers and hygrometer.
- Common problems with bioactive tank setups include mold growth, excessive humidity, unhealthy plants, and a declining isopod population.
- To ensure that your bioactive tank serves you long, you should maintain it by spot cleaning regularly, topping up the leaf litter and isopod population, and keeping the drainage layer moist.
If you are going to keep a leopard gecko as a pet, you should aim to keep them happy. Giving your gecko the best possible life will ensure it lives longer.
But how do you ensure that your leopard gecko is happy? You could start by providing them with a bioactive tank.
A bioactive tank mimics the natural habitat of your leopard gecko. Therefore, your pet leopard gecko will feel as if it’s still in the wild when you keep them in a bioactive setup.
So, instead of using paper towels or tiles as your substrate, why don’t you use a substrate that supports bioactivity?
Surprisingly, most pet reptile keepers have gone bioactive these days. So why should you be left behind?
What Is A Bioactive Tank?
A bioactive tank is a self-sustaining enclosure. Such a tank has a system that mimics a living ecosystem.
This means that the tank will have living plants, leaf litter, and microfauna. At least your geckos will live in a habitat that looks and feels natural.
Items Needed For A Bioactive Leopard Gecko Tank
If a bioactive tank is something you’d want to try, here are the items you’ll need to make one:
Bioactive Substrate
The most important part of a bioactive tank is a substrate that supports bioactivity. A good substrate should support live plants and microfauna as well.
In most cases, the substrate will be a mixture of sand, organic soil, and clay. It is up to you to use a DIY blended mixture or buy a bioactive substrate from the stores.
You may not need to use a drainage layer because a leopard gecko tank setup should be relatively dry.
The good thing is that the substrate will form a crust that traps the moisture needed to support plant growth and the survival of microfauna.
Just ensure the substrate is at least 5 centimeters deep to allow the leopard gecko to dig and burrow freely.
Isopods & Springtails
Isopods are the most preferred recyclers in a bioactive setup. These tiny insects will munch on any decaying material in the leopard gecko tank.
You can combine isopods and springtails in your semi-arid bioactive enclosure. This duo is the best cleanup crew you’ll ever have in the leopard gecko tank.
Some of the best isopods to use in a bioactive setup include:
- Trichorhina Tomentosa Dwarf
- P. Pruinosus Powder Blue
- Orange or Oreo Crumble
- Lepidocyrtus Cinereus 24K
- Entomobraya Sp. Silver
- Sinella Curviseta Pink
- P. Dilatatus Giant Canyon
For springtails, you can use Entomobraya Silver and Coecobrya Tenebricosa Pink/Tropical.
With this combo pack, you’ll have the essential microfauna for your semi-arid bioactive enclosure.
Plants
Plants are the next crucial item you need in a bioactive enclosure. Having plants in a bioactive setup creates a natural and beautiful environment for your Leo.
You just need to select hardy plants that can withstand dry conditions. Additionally, you should consider factors such as ease of care, durability, and toxicity.
Live plants offer nice hiding spots for your leopard gecko. In addition, they help maintain the right humidity level in the tank.
In a leopard gecko setup, you don’t need to use a lot of plants as they might raise the humidity to unsafe levels.
Some of the best live plants to use in a leopard gecko tank include:
- Echeveria
- Zebra Cactus
- Aloes
- Dracaena
- Jade plant
- Christmas Cactus
- Pink quill
- Snake Plants
Avoid having any plants that can hurt your crested gecko.
Thermometer/Hygrometers
Bioactive tank setups are just like any other setups. You must actively monitor the humidity and temperature to ensure the leopard gecko is comfortable.
That said, you need two digital probe thermometers in the tank. One should measure the temperatures of the cold side while the other should measure the hotness of the warm side.
A hygrometer is also needed to monitor the humidity level of your tank. You can opt for a digital hygrometer as it’s pretty easy to read.
Heat Lamps And Mats
Your bioactive tank setup is almost complete but you still need a couple of good heat sources. For leopard geckos, you must have a heat source at the tank’s bottom.
The best underground heat source is a heat mat or heat pad. These sources will provide your leopard gecko with much-needed underbelly heat.
The second source of heat should come from a heat lamp. Leopard geckos like to bask during the day, meaning it’s important that you provide them with a nice basking spot.
A heat lamp enables you to create a good basking spot for your leopard gecko. The basking spot helps the gecko’s digestive system to function.
Lighting
Lighting is also important when setting up a leopard gecko. Your pet gecko needs light to establish and maintain its circadian rhythm.
Artificial light is crucial especially if you’ve placed the enclosure in a dark room.
However, you may not need artificial lighting if your enclosure has access to daylight. The light that comes in through your windows is enough for your gecko.
If you must use artificial lighting, make sure to use low-wattage bulbs. Strong lights can irritate your leopard gecko’s eyes.
Hides And Backgrounds
To create a realistic leopard gecko enclosure, you must use a background. Backgrounds add aesthetic appeal to glass tanks.
Besides, your leopard gecko may feel more secure in a tank that has a background.
You can use a 2D or 3D background depending on your preference and budget. However, ensure the background you use looks real and natural.
The perfect background should mimic a gecko’s natural environment.
The last item you need is a couple of hides. Three hides are enough if you have a large glass tank.
You should have one hide on the warm side, one on the cold side, and another at the center of the tank. The hide that is at the center of the tank should be humid.
How To Setup A Leopard Gecko Bioactive Tank
Now that you know the items needed to make a bioactive tank, how do you go about setting up the enclosure?
Well, we are going to walk you through the entire process of setting up an arid bioactive vivarium.
Step 1. Choose Your Vivarium
The first step in setting up an arid bioactive tank is choosing a tank. You can opt for a wooden, plastic, or glass vivarium.
But for the best results, you should opt for a glass tank. Besides, a glass tank allows you to view your leopard gecko effortlessly.
Make sure you also purchase a vivarium that’s large enough to accommodate the necessary supplies and still leave space for the gecko to wander.
Step 2. Create The Background
Once you have the tank ready, you can proceed to create the background. Creating it should be easy if you purchase a pre-formed background.
Some people may opt to create a DIY background using grout, expanded foam, and sealant.
Whichever option you pick, you must secure it to the glass wall before proceeding with the next step.
Be careful not to block any ventilation holes you’ve drilled on the walls.
Step 3. Create The Drainage Layer
Arid bioactive vivariums don’t necessarily need a drainage layer. But you can install one just to be sure that the substrate won’t remain damp.
You can use a layer of expanded clay balls or smooth rocks.
The drainage layer should help maintain moisture at the bottom of the tank, thus allowing the plant roots to absorb water without having to raise the tank’s humidity.
Step 4. Set Up The Hardscapes
Hardscapes should make your tank look natural and realistic. Besides, they add texture to your enclosure.
So, if you wish to add logs, wooden hides, rocks, or any other hardscapes, you better do so before applying the substrate.
Step 5. Apply Substrate
Once you’ve set up your hardscapes, you can now apply the substrate. Remember you must use a bioactive substrate that contains a mixture of sand, soil, and excavator clay. The perfect substrate should support plant life and microfauna.
Ensure the substrate is deep enough to allow your pet gecko to burrow. Ideally, the substrate should be at least 5 centimeters deep. A deep substrate allows the clean-up crew to thrive.
Step 6. Add Plants
Now that you have the substrate set up, you can add a couple of plants. Remember to pick plants that can’t injure or poison your leopard gecko.
As you plant your chosen plants, ensure to give them enough space for them to grow. You don’t want to overcrowd your tank with too many plants.
Your leopard gecko needs space to wander around and having too many plants might restrict that.
If you wish to go for a full dry desert, you should use the following plants:
- Aloes
- Haworthia
- Succulents
- Sanseviera
On the other hand, if you wish to create an Arid grassland environment, use the following plants:
- Spider plant
- Tradescantias
- Carex grasses
- Succulents
- Epiphytic cacti
Step 7. Add the Clean-Up Crew
To kickstart the bioactive process, you should introduce the clean-up crew. The crew will consist of isopods, but if you can introduce springtails the better.
Most species of isopods should thrive in the leopard gecko tank as long as they have a slightly damp area for them to retreat to during the day.
Ensure you use inexpensive isopods so that you don’t have to incur high costs when replenishing them.
Step 8. Add Lighting
The second last step is to add lighting. You may need to install a thermostat-controlled basking light, a UVB light, and an LED light to support plant growth.
Step 9. Add Hygrometer & Thermometers
To complete your bioactive tank setup, you must install a hygrometer to monitor the tank’s humidity. You can attach the hygrometer inside the tank to get accurate readings.
The next step is to set up two digital probe thermometers. One of the thermometers should be on the warmest side of the tank while the other one should be on the cold side.
Once you complete the setup, monitor the humidity levels and temperature of the tank for a couple of days before introducing the pet gecko.
Maintaining Your Leopard Gecko’s Bioactive Tank
Your leopard gecko’s bioactive tank might be thriving but that doesn’t mean it should run on autopilot. Its longevity depends on how well you maintain it.
Maintenance determines whether the little ecosystem you’ve created will have long-term success. Here is how to maintain your bioactive setup:
- Give your enclosure a light misting occasionally (ideally before you turn the lights on in the morning)
- Top up the levels of leaf litter as it gets depleted
- Ensure the drainage layer doesn’t ever dry out
- Top up the isopods if you notice their population declining
- Spot clean the tank regularly
- Keep the water bowl topped up at all times
If you do these things, your bioactive setup will be a long-term success.
Why Are Bioactive Tanks Important For A Leopard Gecko?
Bioactive tanks may be expensive to set up, but they are beneficial to leopard geckos and their owners. Below is what makes bioactive tanks important for a leopard gecko:
Realism
When you bring a leopard gecko home, you should keep them in an enclosure that looks realistic.
The first step to making an enclosure realistic is investing in a bioactive setup. With all the components of a bioactive setup, your gecko will feel as if their home is realistic.
Amazingly, a realistic habitat stimulates natural behavior in a leopard gecko. That means your pet leopard gecko will behave the same way he or she behaves in the wild.
Hygiene
Leopard geckos appreciate living in a clean, hygienic environment. Such an environment protects your leopard geckos from infections.
Luckily, it’s significantly easier to maintain hygiene and cleanliness when you have a bioactive setup.
The microfauna in the bioactive tank will naturally break down all the leopard gecko waste.
This means that you don’t have to clean the tank often. The living organisms in the tank will do the cleaning job for you.
Low Maintenance
Owning a leopard gecko requires you to be serious about maintenance. Maintenance can be in the form of cleaning or replacing the substrate.
In a bioactive tank setup, you don’t need to do a lot of maintenance. For instance, you don’t have to change the bioactive substrate after every few weeks or months. Besides, spot cleaning is enough to keep the tank tidy and smelling fresh.
Digging & Burrowing
Leopard geckos will want to dig and burrow but not many setups allow for that to happen.
So, if you want your leopard gecko to have fun in captivity, you must provide them with a bioactive setup.
The bioactive substrate allows your geckos to dig and bury themselves as they please.
The bottom line is a leopard gecko should have more entertainment when housed in a bioactive tank setup.
Are Bioactive Enclosures Better For Leopard Geckos?
Yes, no other type of enclosure comes close to beating a bioactive tank setup. This kind of setup allows your gecko to have fun and live a natural life.
So, if you are planning to bring a leopard gecko home, make sure to invest in a bioactive tank.
Potential Problems In A Bioactive Tank
Bioactive tanks might be the best setups for leopard geckos but they also have their fair share of problems.
Here are some of the problems you might have to deal with in your leopard gecko bioactive tank:
Mold growth
Mold growth is a common issue in bioactive tanks. While the problem won’t be as prevalent in semi-arid tanks, it might still occur in areas with high humidity. This may happen in areas surrounding the automatic fogger and water bowl.
Declining Isopod Population
Leopard geckos will always have an isopod snack from time to time. Unfortunately, your leopard gecko snacking on isopods might cause the clean-up crew population to decline.
Besides, your isopod population may decline due to improper humidity, temperature, or insufficient food sources.
Plant Health
The health of your plants may also be affected if they don’t get enough water or if the temperatures become too hot.
You must assess the care requirements of the plants you have to ensure they are getting the right care and nutrients.
Excess Humidity
Bioactive tank setups might experience humidity problems at some point. This problem happens due to excessive misting, live plants, and insufficient ventilation.
You can tell whether the tank is excessively humid by simply checking the hygrometer.
Solutions To Solving These Problems
If you experience any of the above problems, you can solve them with the help of the following tips:
Mold Growth Solution
Mold will only grow due to excess humidity and insufficient humidity. So, by reducing the humidity levels, you’ll have solved the high humidity problems.
You can use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity or reduce how often you mist the tank. Alternatively, you can increase the tank’s ventilation to allow for air circulation.
Plant Health Problems
Plants will only develop problems if you fail to provide the right care requirements. You can solve this problem by assessing the care requirements of the various plant species and making the necessary adjustments.
Declining Isopod Population Solution
If you notice that the isopods in your tanks are reducing, you should check if the humidity and temperature are right.
You’ll also want to ensure that the isopods have enough food sources. Once you correct all these things, you can proceed to add more isopods.
Excessive Humidity Solution
Excessive humidity can be a problem for leopard geckos. Therefore, if your humidity levels are always high, you should try to improve the ventilation or reduce the number of live plants.
Alternatively, you can reduce the number of times you mist your tank or increase the ventilation in the room that’s housing your gecko.
FAQs
Are Bioactive Tanks Good For Leopard Geckos?
Yes, bioactive tanks make good habitats for leopard geckos. For starters, they mimic the natural habitat of leopard geckos. Secondly, bioactive tanks support the natural behavior of leopard geckos.
Is Bioactive Soil Good For Leopard Geckos?
Yes, bioactive soil is ideal for leopard geckos because it allows them to dig when they feel like it.
Besides, bioactive soil does not cause impaction to leopard geckos when accidentally ingested.
What Bioactive Insects Are In Leopard Gecko’s Tank?
Leopard gecko tank setups can support various isopod species. Some of these species include:
- Trichorhina Tomentosa Dwarf
- P. Pruinosus Powder Blue
- Orange or Oreo Crumble
- Lepidocyrtus Cinereus 24K
- Entomobraya Sp. Silver
- Sinella Curviseta Pink
- P. Dilatatus Giant Canyon
If your tank setup allows it, you can have a combination of isopods and springtails.
Summary
A bioactive tank is the best setup you can ever give a leopard gecko. Pet leopard geckos should feel more comfortable in a setup that supports bioactivity.
Bioactive tanks may be expensive to set up but they are cheap to maintain. Besides, bioactive tanks are appealing to the eye due to their realistic and natural look.
