An update on the enriched bioactive ball python vivarium with discussion of construction, plants, temperature/lighting, humidity, and substrate. References and details below.

A second update as of January 2022:    • Arid Bioactive & Building a Viv/Tub H...   . My python was doing very well in this setup for 18 months until I moved to a new house with worse insulation where I suffered an equipment failure that allowed the temperatures to drop lower than my thermostat was set at. I have since built a new enclosure for my python that has better insulation to compensate for the larger swings in room temperature at my current address. I will post video of this new enclosure in the future when it has had time to establish.

Additional details not explicitly mentioned: the DRAINAGE LAYER is leca clay pellets with fiberglass window screen over it (you can see it in the photos). The FLOODLIGHTS I am using are LED PAR38, 16W, CRI 80+, 5000K (daylight). Home Depot, Lowes, and Target all stock some variety with those specs. The LED PANELS are an Amazon product called "SAYHON 11 inch UltraThin Square Recessed Lighting with Junction Box,24W 6000K." I'm not sure where I stand on the panels. They work fine, but the light they put out seems pretty blue and I bet there is a better option out there. None of the LED lights become hot to the touch so having them in the enclosure is less of a concern. That said, the gold standard would probably be to build a light compartment above and separated from the actual vivarium.

Sources Cited:

1) Ball Python Husbandry Review: https://jherpmedsurg.com/doi/abs/10.5...

2) Vivarium Construction Tutorial:    • Naturalistic + Bioactive Crested Geck...  

3) Drylok for waterproofing:    • Drylok plywood tank update  

4) Waterproofing with epoxy (SerpaDesign):    • DIY Plywood Reptile Enclosure (Large ...  

5) Waterproofing with Liquid Rubber (The King of DIY):    • HOW TO: build a Plywood Aquarium TUTO...  

6) DIY Tropical Terrarium Substrate Mix:    • Tropical Terrarium Substrate Mix  Te...  

7) Vivarium Lighting 101: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/viva...

Music:

Forest Food by Ethernate (Used with permission)

Reminiscent Chords by Ethernate (Used with permission)

Derpy Music by Ethernate (Used with permission)

Avec Soin by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Carefree by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
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Daily Beetle by Kevin MacLeod
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