What does bioactive habitat mean and is it right for me?

When researching and deciding to get a new pet, specifically frogs, the term bioactive will come up.  Creating a bioactive habitat will be something that will need to be decided.  This article will focus on what is a bioactive habitat and whether it is a good fit for your frog(s)?

Bioactive habitats can be used with many different animals.  This article will focus on frog habitats.  There is always more than one way to do something and many of which are successful.  This article is meant to be a resource to help make the best decision for your frog.

What is a bioactive habitat?

Bioactive is a word that will be heard when setting up a habitat for frogs, snakes, lizards, and other small animals.  

       Bioactive habitat is a term that is used when describing a habitat that is a mini ecosystem.  The ecosystem is designed to provide the inhabitants with the most realistic environment possible.  The ecosystem consists of a false bottom, substrate barrier, substrate most often ABG Mix, clean-up crew, plants, animals, light, temperature, water, and maintain a high humidity level. 

In the long run, once a bioactive habitat is set up and thriving it should require less maintenance than a habitat using paper towels and fake plants.

Clean-Up Crew

Clean-up crew refers to the microorganisms in the habitat.  These tiny animals usually live in the soil or near the top of the soil.  The most common that are added to habitats are springtails and isopods.  These little bugs are great at cleaning up animal waste and aid in the breakdown of dying and decaying matter.

Once the microorganisms break down material, that material then becomes food and nutrients in the substrate which helps the plants grow.  Using a clean-up crew can reduce the need for frequent habitat cleaning.

False Bottom

False bottom is an important part of the bioactive habitat.  This layer may also be called the drainage layer.  This layer is the very bottom of the habitat.  It allows space for excess water to drain into.  There are a few ways to pump the water out depending on how the habitat was built. 

Substrate Barrier

Substrate barrier is a layer to keep the false bottom and the substrate layer from mixing.  This allows the false bottom to be drained without losing all of the substrate or plugging up the siphon.

Substrate

ABG (Atlanta  Botanical Gardens) mix is the best for frog habitats.  It is a lightweight substrate that retains moisture and also allows excess water to drain through.  This substrate provides the perfect environment for the clean-up crew to thrive.  ABG mix is an excellent substrate to grow tropical plants.  ABG is composed of peat moss, sphagnum moss, charcoal, tree fern, and orchid bark.

Plants

A bioactive habitat has a variety of real plants instead of fake plants.  There are a wide range of plants that can be in the habitat.  Plants that like high humidity, moisture, and bright light are perfect for habitats.  Some plants that are easy to grow are Pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley’, bromeliads, Tradescantia Zebrina, Rhizomatous Begonia ‘soli-mutata, Marcgravia, and Solanum sp. ‘Ecuador’.  Plants play an integral role in the habitat.  They help hold temperature and humidity, provide shelter, places to hide and climb, and a great source of oxygen.

Temperature

The temperature in the habitat is designed to mimic the real temperatures in the rainforest when dart frogs and tree frogs are found.  The correct temperature is achieved through a few different methodologies depending on the circumstance one may use lighting, a room heater/cooler, heat pad or a combination of each.  Research the recommended temperature for the inhabitants of that specific habitat.

Humidity

Dart frogs and tree frogs are most often found in rainforests surrounding the equator.  These locations often have a high humidity.  This can be accomplished by spraying in a habitat one to multiple times a day depending where the region is.  Covering the screen with a piece of glass will help the habitat retain a high moisture level.  Having multiple plants will help hold humidity levels.

Light

A light source is needed for the plants and animals to feel like they have a sun/daylight hours.  Protip is to use a timer.  Timers allow for the schedule of the frogs to be the same.  One does not have to worry if they forgot to turn the lights on or off and can accommodate unplanned schedule changes.  Lighting can also be used as a way to heat the habitat.

Habitat Examples:

This is a bioactive habitat.  There is a false bottom, substrate barrier, ABG mix and real plants and leaves, there is also lighting, and a clean-up crew.

Bioactive Dart Frog Habitat

This is an example of a non-bioactive habitat.  This is a grow-out bin for red eye tree frogs.  The substrate is wet paper towels that are changed often.  There is still a light to help with temperature.

Red Eye Tree Frogs Habitat

Products Available through www.finnsfrogfarm.com:

ABG Mix	ABG Mix
Isopods	Zebra Isopods Armadillidium maculatum
Springtails	Springtails Culture on clay substrate
Plants	Frog habitat with plants
False Bottom/Drainage layer	False Bottom
Leaf Litter	Live Oak Leaf Litter
Substrate Barrier	Substrate Barrier

Keywords:  bioactive, plants, isopods, springtails, ABG mix, substrate