100% will make an update video, possibly next month. Also, the maintenance is quite simple, waters the plants. That's it! Since its a bio-active enclosure with the two micro-organisms (Isopods & Spring tails), they will do most of the maintenance for you. They will eat any feces/urine left behind by the ball python, as well as shedded skin, and will then recycle it back into the substrate providing even more nutrients for the plants. Personally, if I see any feces or shedded skin, i will just take it out myself, but you really don't have to. Monitor the humidity across the tank with hygrometers; make sure that its between 50-60%, and if the Ball Python is about to shed, it'll need around 70% humidity for a smoother shedding process. As far as temps go, I keep the ambient temp at 85 Degrees Fahrenheit, and for its hide, i keep it at about 93 degrees with a couple of heat mats located under the tank hooked up to a thermostat to regulate the temperature around 90-93F. I water the plants every day, and I also have a Moonsoon Misting machine from ExoTerra thats on a cycle to help with the humidity. I hope this was informative enough for you, just let me know if you have any other questions and il be happy to answer them for you. Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for watching and have a good day!

​@@exoticcreations4859It's been two years... How is it going?

great video, can’t wait for more!

Thank you so much, Its actually a bottle of sour puss lol. same thing, but I thought i was the only one haha. I actually do build enclosures for people as a little side hustle.

I get it, just saying though, if you ever have any plants with soil, there’s a 99% chance there will be springtails in there, they’re in all soil for the most part!

Glad you think so!

Thank you so much for the positive feedback, for the humidity is actually quite simple, let me break it down for you; you can use three hygrometers one for the one side and one for the other side and one for the middle, but you could probably just get away with using two for each side of the tank. I check mine daily to make sure that it's staying within 50 to 60% humidity, sometimes you can drop a few percentages below or spike a few percentages above, this is okay. As long as you are close to that range, and it's only temporary. I have three heat emitters running at all times, so that will help evaporate any excess moisture. I also use a monsoon mister from Exo Terra on a cycle, not to mention, I water the plants daily. When I notice my ball python is starting to go into a shed I increase the amount of water I use when missing the tank and bring that humidity level to 70% for a smooth shed. I hope this helps, Thanks for watching!

@@exoticcreations4859 I really appreciate the detailed response and that is amazing advice! However i have owned a healthy ball python for 5 year or so now. I was wondering specfically how you have a substrate prone to retaining so much water (Meaning your snake is constantly damp) without premotting rot. Is there a special mix for this bio enclosure?

​@@GARR0N You can either use a false bottom layer or just a really thick layer of substrate. If you have a thick layer of substrate, a lot of the moisture/water will sink to the bottom, leaving you with a dry top layer of substrate. Just make sure not to flood your tank with too much water. If you notice the substrate is getting way too damp all the way through, stop watering it, and cover the ventilation as much as possible, letting some of the water evaporate whilst also keeping the humidity at a sustainable level. This is my substrate mix: Top soil Coconut Husk Spahgnum moss Eco Earth ReptiBark Charcoal ABG mix Its a bit overkill and expensive, but I dont typically set a budget for my animals and plants, they deserve the best life for all the happiness they bring me. Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions, feel free too ask.

Josh's frogs!

thx

Most plants that you buy in garden centers usually are littered with fertilizers, therefore washing all of the plants and getting rid of all the fertilizer and soil can take a really long time so I actually ended up doing it the night before recording the video. The soil that you see in the pots is the same as the substrate for the tank.

A drainage layer is not necessary for a tank housing a ball python because ball pythons do not require a high humidity environment like some other reptiles. They naturally inhabit dry areas and can thrive in a tank with appropriate humidity levels achieved through other methods, such as providing a water bowl, misting, or using a humidity hide. Additionally, a drainage layer can complicate the setup and maintenance of the tank, potentially leading to issues like excess moisture buildup and the growth of mold or bacteria. It's important to prioritize proper temperature, humidity, and substrate choices suitable for the specific needs of ball pythons rather than relying on a drainage layer.

will do an update video soon, the tank is doing great but monty has killed some of the plants along the way lol. Unfortunately, I got this tank from my local reptile store, and they don't have an online store..

@@exoticcreations4859 Thank you! And the tank looks awesome sad it doesn't have an online store

I didnt really measure anything out to be honest, but the majority was top soil. Then charcoal for filtration, spagnum moss to retain humidity. Then I threw some bark and coconut husk in there as a additional food source for the isopods. I dont they are completley neccessary though.

It was rainp/water roof silicone. I just picked it up lowes. I don't remember the brand. sorry.

Yes, once dried and aired out. It's a pretty common method for making backgrounds for tanks. I have a couple heat mats which are connected to a thermostat, and a couple of heat bulbs.

It's been almost a year now, and it has held up very well. I'm not too sure if it matters on the kind, to be honest.

sorry for the late reply, was busy on vacation. Is there anything in particular you need assistance with?

I dont have one either, no difference

It's not like a heavily tropical enclosure so there's not really any need for a drainage layer, and the more plants you have usually the faster it's all absorbed, I always add a drainage layer for peace of mind but its not always needed

My thoughts exactly

I will do one soon, I recently started a new job and have been soo busy. I also recently got husky puppy, so there's that. But eventually will be looking to stick to a consistent upload schedule.

about $900 (Canadian) including the tank

its expanding spray foam. its very cheap and you can get it at almost any hardware store. Tank: $550 Building Supplies (Silicone, Foam, etc.): $60 Plants: $200 Decorative pieces: $140 Lights and Heat Mats: $160 Substrate: $50-$100 (I buy all of the ingredients individually and in bulk, then mix them all up together) These are all in Canadian dollars by the way I also breed my own Isopods and Springtails so I didn't have to pay for them. Hope this helps..

I also live on a island off the coast of the pacific ocean, so whenever I take my dog to the beach, I collect a lot of my own driftwood and bark as buying in stores can be super expensive.

Get a 4x2x2’ enclosure or larger. The enclosure should be at least as long as the snake.

@@nightinggale6470 thank you!

if you have the proper temps and humidity, it doesnt matter. they can adapt

@@exoticcreations4859 yea I understand they can adapt although coming from Africa it’s nice to see them in natives enclosures I’ve been trying to find a way to make a “abandoned termite mound”haven’t found any videos you should make one ,native ball python setup

@@SILENTMOTIONS they don’t spend all their time in termite mounds in the wild.

how do you figure that out? :)