Bio Life Desert Substrate 10Ltr

Bio-active substrates are designed to allow the maintenance of living ecosystems inside the terrarium. ProRep Bio Life substrate is carefully blended from a mixture of ingredients to provide the optimum combination of structure, PH and nutrient content for plants from arid environments.

When used in a planted terrarium, a living ecosystem can be created where the terrarium occupants co-exist with the plants and microorganisms to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. The microorganisms digest waste material, which is in turn taken up by the plants for growth, locking away harmful nitrogen while creating a living, natural habitat.

Because an arid environment set up is dry, with low humidity, then it can be more difficult to maintain than forest set ups. With the proper design however, it is possible to recreate a moist zone in the base of the terrarium to mimic the moisture commonly found underground in deserts. This moist zone provides a reservoir of water which plants and microorganisms can access, while the surface of the substrate remains dry.

Desert planted terrariums are best suited to small occupants that do not damage the plants. Large species such as Bearded Dragons or Monitors will quickly damage or uproot plants before they can establish and are unsuitable for housing in planted terrarium.

Directions:
If used as a bio-active substrate in a planted terrarium, then the terrarium should he made from a water resistant material such as glass or plastic, as wooden vivariums may be damaged by the moisture.

It is important that the desert substrate is not kept damp. If this happens then the humidity will get too high and this can be detrimental to many desert species. Growing plants can be watered and damp areas created to provide local humid areas, such as under hides, but the should not be kept damp all over.

To create the moisture zone essential for a bio-active desert terrarium it is necessary to use an inert, open layer in the base to act as the water reservoir. ProRep Bio Life Drainage Medium is ideal for this as it is lightweight but retains an open structure.

Place a layer of drainage medium 3-5cm deep in the bottom of the terrarium and cover with a permeable membrane. This allows water and oxygen to pass freely. but prevents the substrate above from being washed into the drainage layer. You may want to place a rigid plastic pipe vertically in the drainage medium, with its top above the level of the final substrate. This can be used to pour water into the drainage medium without making the substrate above too wet.

Next arrange ProRep Bio Life Desert to the depth required, depending on the terrarium occupants and the effect required. Rocks or wood can be used to form a series of banks or terraces to give structure and variation. Living plants may be planted directly into the substrate, with taller types nearer the back and low creeping species at the front. Planting in small groups can create a more natural look to the design. In time the plant roots will grow downwards to access the water held in the drainage medium but whilst they establish it will be necessary to water them.

The substrate should be spot cleaned daily, removing faeces along with the substrate around it and replacing it with a small amount of fresh substrate.

It is possible to simply use Bio Life Desert Substrate as a general substrate for many species originating from arid areas and it should be used in the same way as ProRep Beardie Life. Simply spread over the base of the vivarium to the required depth, using rocks or wood to create an interesting landscape and different depths of substrate. If you are using living plants in this type of set-up then it is best to keep the plants in their pots and conceal the pots using decor.