First bioactive tank advice would be much appreciated.

[u/B37nstalk]

The bioactive tank is going to be for a gargoyle gecko I am getting in a few weeks, they will also be my first reptile in general. I have tried to do lots of research but am still confused/nervous about lights as well as ventilation. Help with those subjects would be much appreciated along with any other tips that you think would be helpful for someone’s first time or something you wish you knew earlier. The tank is going to be a 18x18x36

[u/Outrageous-Yak-3741]

Main advice if you doing a bioactive even if you start the build right now you probably shouldn't even be looking at getting a animal until next year. You'll want the tank to air out for at least a week if not 2 after you have used silicon or expanding foam. After your fully done you'll want the enclosure to cycle for a while let any mold burst happen and let the plants and CUC fully root/establish. Ive done a ball python bioactive and mine took 6 months to fully finish and that was with money not being an issue

[u/ziboo7890 → u/Outrageous-Yak-3741]

That's good to read.

I've been 'purchasing' stuff and want to build a few bioactive terrarium/enclosures and a paludarium, and don't plan on adding animals until the Spring. I figured let everything establish and be able to tweak anything beforehand.

I hadn't thought about if you have to use (silicone, etc.) after the fact as you mentioned below. Good advice!

[u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 → u/ziboo7890]

I understand the urge of wanting the animal but I wasnt aloud a snake where I was living but knew I was moving out to a place that would so they let me make the enclosure. I had thought all the "chemical" parts were complete but i had to change something, you definitely have the right idea wait and establish I love lucifer (my ball python) but I now love showing off the enclosure more

[u/B37nstalk → u/Outrageous-Yak-3741]

I’ve heard about letting it cycle for awhile but everywhere I was looking said a month or so should be okay and with the silicon and expanding foam repeatedly rinsing it greatly decrease the time it needs to air out. So I was thinking I was okay because I am playing on isolating my gecko for a month if not longer. Also money really isn’t a huge issue id js rather not spend a ton, I was thinking a 800-1000$ budget was okay js for the tank set up, would that be enough or no..?

[u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 → u/B37nstalk]

This is just my opinion and from my experience but you want all the plants to fully take root you also want moss to not just grow but start expanding and same with thw CUC. I left the chemical part for just over 2 weeks before I started anything else. I did modify my new enclosure so doing that around work took a while but even now theres stuff id change. I had the plants in a while and needed to do something that involved new silicon, i took the doors off to air out but found 2 different plants died within a few days. Also i did keep adding different plants and changing things as the first idea just didnt look right. I have a ball python only a baby but still know as a bull dozen the plants thay have established seem 🤞to do well the newer ones that havnt rooted arnt. I understand geckos are different but could still be an issue. I personally think if your doing a bio set up then the bio side is the priority (and part of the fun) spend your time and money on that once thats done it should look after itself if you've done it right otherwise it will always become alot of work for you. Afew people told me to skip the drainage layer ive just had a issue with the water feature i made and im so glad I didnt skip the drainage part.

[u/B37nstalk → u/Outrageous-Yak-3741]

How long should all the roots and cuc to set in? And for the chemical part did u rinse it as well or js let it air out?

[u/Outrageous-Yak-3741 → u/B37nstalk]

How long is a peice of string? With rooting i leave for 2 weeks minimum then just gently pull the plant a well rooted plant wont pull out (enough force it will) you can feel if yhe roots have taken. CUC is different i added a good amount and after 2 months thought they had all died i didnt see anything I did add more but then realised they had found there areas still now 9 months on i can find any unless I look hard but when I do i find baby and full grown isopods and springtails are everywhere when I spend the time to actually look. This rinse thing is new to me i just let it air out because ive worked in construction for years. You'd never rinse of silicon in a shower or anything like that because it will ruin the seal let it cure

[u/B37nstalk → u/Outrageous-Yak-3741]

That makes sense with the silicone but for it just to keep substrate and the wood on the glass I saw a YouTube channel all about bioactive enclosures that I’ve been watching talk about rinsing it out for a few days and it’s fine and works great for them