DIY Bioactive Vivarium for Crested Geckos – Easy!

🌿 I Built the Ultimate Crested Gecko Vivarium! (Step-by-Step Guide) 🦎

Want to create the perfect home for your crested gecko? In this video, I show you how to build a lush, bioactive vivarium from start to finish! Plus, I’ll cover essential crested gecko care tips, including humidity, feeding, and habitat maintenance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced reptile keeper, this setup will help your gecko thrive!

00:00
01:06 Choosing & Preparing the Enclosure
02:08 Substrate & Plant Selection (6:00 - 12:00)
05:27 Hardscape and Decorations
10:15 heating and air circulation
12:16 temperature/ humidity monitoring
12:55 heating elements & thermostat
14:27 plants and lighting
17:04 regular tech check-ins
18:58 automatic digital timers
20:27 cycling and microfauna
21:43 isopods
23:00 when to introduce a gecko
26:44 purchasing a healthy gecko
29:40 drying
31:00 plants
33:20 collecting items/plants for vivarium
34:02 substrate
36:33 plants
37:52 slugs: a rant
38:54 plant size
39:20 adding air plants
40:14 finished vivaruim
42:54 misters

Here are all the products that I used. Keep in mind that some will be cheaper to find at big box stores, but if you don't want to go out feel free to shop below. These are Amazon Affiliate Links, so I will make a small commission if you purchase one of the items listed below. #amazonaffiliate #ad

Vivarium Build Items used:

WaCool Glass 50 Gallon 18 x 18 x 36 vertical reptile cage
https://amzn.to/3QGLGvc

LED Aquarium Light
https://amzn.to/3CQXtS4

Fans
https://amzn.to/3H7Y2cP

Branches
https://amzn.to/3w7zHxe

Driftwood
https://amzn.to/3w7q0Po

Vivarium Stand - 180 pound limit
https://amzn.to/3GMdsSJ

Crested Gecko Coconut Cave
https://amzn.to/3Rq0gIE
_______________________________
Backing
Great Suff Expanding Foam
https://amzn.to/3woYE7P

E6000
https://amzn.to/3QIZNjN

Silicone
https://amzn.to/3kneUU4

Hoffman 14452 Volcanic Lava Rock, 2 Quarts
https://amzn.to/3DJWHKr
* the lava rocks like I used are in the firepit section at a big box store.

False Bottom
Leca
https://amzn.to/3QEmxkY

Mesh
https://amzn.to/3QE8LPn

Aquarium gravel (goes ontop of leca and screen)
https://amzn.to/3QIKXcT

Substrate
Soil (1 part)
https://amzn.to/3XtQFle

Orchid Bark Mix (1 part)
https://amzn.to/3XtQFle
https://amzn.to/3yQyT1n

Sphagnum Moss (2 parts)
https://amzn.to/3Wdccxw
___________________
Charcoal (I did not use this since the orchid bark had it in there, but you may want to have a layer of it)
https://amzn.to/403OxlX
____________________

Plants were purchased from different places. These are some of the varieties I used.

Black Jewel Orchid
https://amzn.to/3XtQFle

Assorted Tillandsia Airplanes
https://amzn.to/3XzguAw

Weeping Fig
https://amzn.to/3ZEP11R

Assorted Hoyas
https://amzn.to/3ZEP11R

Galápagos (05248) Sheets of Real Moss, 8-Quart, Natural,Green
https://amzn.to/4hURcqe

Other
Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300, Surge Protector with 6 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets
https://amzn.to/4l7mMnn

Distilled Water for mister
https://amzn.to/3klIqt2

Humidity checker
https://amzn.to/3iJiuHx

__________________________
For the gecko:
REPTIZOO Reptile Magnetic Feeder Ledge
https://amzn.to/3Y7OR3Y

Reptile Powder Fruit Mixing Stirring Food Long Handle Feeding Tool
https://amzn.to/4iKCpj5
**** Please be mindful of their delicate teeth. If you plan on feeding with a spoon, please use silicone dipped, so they will hit something soft if they misjudge distance. A solid metal without silicone may damage their mouth if bitten.

Repashy Crested Gecko Mango Superblend 6 oz Jar
https://amzn.to/3RpA7tw

Repashy Crested Gecko Diet Banana 6 Oz
https://amzn.to/4iIwlaC

Repashy Banana Cream Pie (3 Oz Jar)
https://amzn.to/3FErsRA

REPTI ZOO Reptile Cricket Keeper & Mixer Kit
https://amzn.to/41Plber

Fluker's Cricket Quencher Calcium Fortified, Easy to Use Gel Formula, 8 oz
https://amzn.to/3FMpWgb

Fluker's Reptile Calcium Supplement Without Vitamin D3, 2 oz
https://amzn.to/4jacyRn
**** Crested geckos can have supplemented insects in their diet, but their primary source of food should be a crested gecko powder blend mixed with water like Repashy. Insects alone are not sufficient.
____________________________________________
REPTIZOO Reptile Dimming Thermostat, PID Temperature Controller with Memory Function
https://amzn.to/4hMYkVp

Zoo Med Labs 25W Nano Ceramic Heat Emitter
https://amzn.to/4c82YMp

Zoo Med Nano Dome Single Lamp Fixture, 40 Watt
https://amzn.to/43ZBHty

Glass Water Bottle Includes 38 mm Polyseal Cap, 1 gallon Capacity
https://amzn.to/3QRnN5e

Misting System (one I have but may be discontinued)
https://amzn.to/3ZFHAYe

J&A Automatic Mister for Terrariums, Reptile Misting System with Programable Timer, Chameleon Fogger with Adjustable Spray Nozzles, Black
https://amzn.to/4hMHuWD

Mini Aquarium Heater 25W Small Fish Tank Heater 25 Watt with Free Thermometer Sticker
https://amzn.to/3FUsgSc

Видео DIY Bioactive Vivarium for Crested Geckos – Easy! канала Plantastix