20 gallon long bioactive terrarium

I’ve had this tank for many years and started keeping dairy cow isopods in the summer of 2023. I’ve added other bugs to my collection over time and recently the dubia roaches are most abundant. I struggled to keep plants alive since I didn’t have a drainage layer.

I took out the hardscape and sifted through all of the substrate to separate out the isopods and smaller roaches. This part took several hours. Once the tank was empty I added a layer of lava rock and used perlite to fill in the gaps. I laid down garden netting and layered the old substrate with the new. I built a slope toward the back of the tank and incorporated some hardscape. I planted some pothos that I’ve been propagating, a prayer plant, and dragon fruit. After adding all the bugs back, I sprayed everything down and cleaned the glass with a small amount of vinegar and a paper towel.

The lid on this tank is a standard mesh lid that I covered in aluminum foil and duct taped to the edges. I cut a hole where the lamp sits.

I had enough of the old substrate left to make a new 10 gallon terrarium. For the drainage layer I used perlite and garden netting. (Sans lava rock because I ran out) I planted mystery succulents (ID appreciated!) and dragon fruit. I’m attempting to propagate donkey tail in this tank since a friend of mine had luck with this method.

I took some medium sized roaches from the 20 gallon tank and added them to my larger bioactive tank for my crested gecko, Hank, to hunt.

While I had the tarp out I repotted a few house plants. Finally I chopped up baby carrots and added them to every tank. I love playing in the dirt!! This is my favorite hobby! Tips appreciated but please don’t yuck my yum!

(The last photo is before I added the drainage layer)