Bioactive
A bioactive habitat is an enclosure for the housing one or more terrestrial animals that includes live plants as well as populations of small invertebrates and microorganisms to consume and break down the waste products of the primary species. < Wikipedia >
Rarely used for mammals, it is still a very good alternative to beddings, as it is 100% natural, easy to maintain, fulfill the natural needs and behavior of the animals, as well as bringing in two key factor for the owners :
cut down the smell almost entirely and remove the need to change the substrate!
This guide will be short and straight to the point, in opposite to other online guides.
Bioactive for Rats
Material Needed
- Container with tall borders for the bottom of the cage.
- Coconut Coir / Fiber.
- Organic Topsoil.
- Temperate Springtails.
- Hay, Sphagnum Moss, branches, twigs, etc.
- Watering can / Mister
Quick Info
- Keep the substrate moist at all time.
- Turn and mix the substrate each 2 weeks.
- Add Springtails here and there every month.
- If you feed seeds and mixes, dump directly on the soil.
- If you feed blocks or pellets, keep them off the soil.
- Top up the soil if needed.
- Fill the bin AFTER putting it in the cage!
- You can mix the coconut coir with ORGANIC soil with NO ADDITIVE from the plant section!
Custom Bin for Critter Nation Unit
- Front & Back panels ; (x2) 34 ½” x 16”
- Bottom panel ; (x1) 34 ½” x 22 ½”
- Side panels ; (x2) 16” x 22 ½”
Clear Acrylic of 1/8" thick.
Adhesives used to fix the panels :
- Gorilla Clear Tape extra wide.
Use on the outsides only.
Soil Quantities ;
- (x12) Bricks of coconut coir / fiber.
- (x1) Large bag of Organic Topsoil.
- (x4) 8oz Cultures of temperate Springtails.
Remove the bottom panel of bars before putting the bin.
Bin will be a tight fit! Be cautious.
DO NOT USE
- Cypress, Fir, Literally any type of soft woods.
- Uncleaned things from outside unless it's BB ;
Baked and/or boiled!
- Magnolia/Live Oak Leaves.
- Do not use anything that is not Organic ;
pesticides are harmful to your animals and the micro-organisms you are adding to the soil!
Bioactive for Mice
Material Needed
- Container with tall borders for the bottom of the cage.
- Coconut Coir / Fiber.
- Temperate Springtails.
- Hay, Sphagnum Moss, branches, twigs, etc.
- Watering can / Mister
Quick Info
- Keep the substrate moist at all time.
- Turn and mix the substrate each 2 weeks.
- Add Springtails here and there every month.
- If you feed seeds and mixes, dump directly on the soil.
- If you feed blocks or pellets, keep them off the soil.
- Top up the soil if needed.
- You can mix the coconut coir with ORGANIC soil with NO ADDITIVE from the plant section!
Soil Quantities for 10 Gallons ( solo male ) ;
- (x1) Brick of coconut coir / fiber.
- ( x4-x8 ) Cups of Organic TopSoil.
- (x1) 6-8oz Culture of temperate Springtails.
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DO NOT USE
- Cypress, Fir, Literally any type of soft woods.
- Uncleaned things from outside unless it's BB ; Baked and/or boiled!
- Magnolia/Live Oak Leaves.
- Do not use anything that is not Organic ;
pesticides are harmful to your animals and the micro-organisms you are adding to the soil!
Plants!
Feel free to plant herbs, but expect them to be devoured!
- Basil
- Mint ( in cages with good ventilation )
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Wheat Grass
- Grass ( Bermuda )
DO NOT PUT CAT NIP.
Bugs!
You can add bugs time to time, but they will be hunted and eaten. Very good treats and entertainment!
- Mealworms
- Isopods
- Earthworms
- Dubia roaches ( supervise! )
Seeds!
You can toss in seeds for them to eat, and most
left overs will actually germinate!
- Plants listed on above
- Bird seeds
- Millet
- Sunflower
Can it go in?
In doubt about woods and other things, look up for lists of what is toxic to rabbits!
Always double check everything.
Don't be afraid to ask to a true exotic vet!
Need a "clean up" boost?
Try to put a few more insects ; anything that eat waste and is safe for rodents is a good choice, but for a good cleaning up, earthworms and isopods will help a lot for the time they survive. Try to do it once a month.
Issues we encountered and solved :
Problem : Spiders laying eggs in enclosure.
Cause : Lazy rodent not eating the spider.
Solving : Sadly, starting the whole enclosure again.
Alternate option : Put the rodents in a new enclosure and keep 937 pet spiders.
Problem : Moldy food blocks.
Cause : Contact with humid soil.
Solving : Making a mesh hanging block container.
Alternate option : Build up a well calculated seed and grain diet to replace blocks ( non suggested for breeders ).
Problem : Smell after the first few days.
Cause : The bioactive enclosure is just starting.
Solving : Nothing, take care of your bioactive substrate and make sure it gets established ; add more microfauna, various substrate material, mix the soil, etc.
Common Safe Woods/Leaves :
Always boil/bake and dry first, unless there is a (*).
- Bamboo (*)
- Apple (*)
- Pear
- Manzanita
- Ash
- Blackberry
- Roses
- Dogwood
- Grapevine
- Hazelnut
- Kiwi
- Pear
- Pecan
- Sycamore
- Willow
- A few more.
Common Unsafe Woods/Leaves :
Do not use. Period. Even if the bag say "safe for pets".
- Pine
- Birch
- Fir
- Cedar
- Cypress
- Oak / cork
- Magnolia
- Lucky "bamboo"
- Almond tree
- Apricot / Peach / Plum / Prune
- Cherry tree
- Citrus trees
- Elm
- Elderberry
- Eucalyptus
- Juniper
- Maple
- Many, many more.
