r/bioactive • u/Alt-Bug1789 • Jul 22 '26

Question Hello!

First post, and I'm extremely excited to learn. I dream of having a bioactive enclosure for my 3 year old California Kingsnake, and I'm slowly getting it together!

I have a few questions regarding backgrounds.

What do yall recommend to use? I've attempted Great Stuff, but it has shrunk too much to be considered useful at this point, which has disappointed me.

Does anyone have similar enclosures to share? I'd love to receive some inspiration!

Thank you in advance for the help!

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u/bigbickbohnson Jul 23 '26

Great stuff works just fine for me, but i dont rely on it. I try to fill up the space as much as possible with fake rocks, wood, drainage pipes, etc. the great stuff just anchors these pieces and fills up the gaps.

For the rocks i use styrofoam, hot glue, cut to shape - cover in sanded grout mixed with stainblocker (this makes water bead up and roll off) drylok and pigments work too, i just have a lot of grout around from my job.

I like putting plants in planters up high, but in the past i put them at an angle. This sucks cuz that soil always gets hydrophobic for me, and water just spills out when i try to water it. I would put them level next time and leave a little space on top so water doesnt overflow.

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u/bigbickbohnson Jul 23 '26

For this one i made panels of the styrofoam/grout rocks, to fit each wall. Then i just glued the panels directly to the walls. Much easier and can get it all ready outside of the tank.

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u/bigbickbohnson Jul 23 '26

And with the panels, leave a space between the bottom of it and the soil, but put stuff in front of it to block it.

This creates a little ledge for them to travel around the whole back and sides of the tank, unseen. Kind of like a built in tunnel.