• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Need advice on bio active substrate

The concept of natural soil substrate for some species is nothing new, particularly for varanids. Some of the claims SEEM unrealistic - particularly the speed with which fecal matter and left over rodents are broken down/eliminated....but, I suppose that if enough critters are roaming around, it isn't unfeasible. IMO, the aspect of it that would cause most people concern is the inclusion of bug life - it's natural for the reptiles, but most people would balk at the risk of them getting loose in their homes.
 
i used it with a group of dart frogs i kept in a large naturalistic setup. i had the same setup for over 2 years and never had to clean it. the plants and animals both did excellent. Only reason i broke down the tank was because i was moving.
 
I've only done it in planted-only setups and had great success. With good spot cleaning and cycling or mixing the substrate, it should do fine. Keeping a keen nose and watching for growth should be maintained at all times. The enclosure is going to have a major play on how the substrate does. Most of my micro fauna dies in low humidity enviornments and thrives in high humidity. Make sure to have a drainage layer and brewers yeast can be used to feed the micro fauna.
 
I use pill bugs in all of my high humidity enclosures. They do an excellent job of removing fecal matter. Because they breathe through gills, they have zero chance of escaping into the house. They won't even venture into dry parts of they tank.

Noelle
 
I should also add, if you decide to use pillbugs, they quickly eliminate fecal matter, but will also eat eggs. You have to be very diligent to check for eggs each day.


Noelle
 
Check the ads feeder ads here on Fauna for isopods. If you live near any wooded area (free of pesticides), they can be found under decayed wood or rotting plant matter. Here in the Midwest, you can put a piece of fruit or veggies under a log, and collect them by the hundreds. Probably not so much in Arizona.

Noelle
 
Back
Top