Clean up crew and handling

[InsaneJul]

Should I set up a bioactive environment?

I’m in the process of setting up the environment for a bts that will be picked up at the end of this month. I started reading about bioactive substrates and I’m very interested in using that kind of environment since I’m in a demanding job and might not always have time to do all the maintenance required in a traditional environment. I chose a blue tongue skink (after lots of research, lol) because I wanted a pet with a personality that would have no problem with people and being handled regularly. However, my housemates are concerned about the possibility of the clean-up crew insects getting out of the tank. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle that, or reassurance for my housemates? Or does a bio-active environment preclude taking the skink out of the tank and handling it?

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Assuming you go with the traditional cleanup crew of isopods and/or springtails, they don’t have anything to worry about. Springtails are native to just about everywhere and only eat dead things, and isopods follow a similar path, but will eat live plants or tiny animals if it comes down to it. Neither could hurt a person, and springtails would potentially be helpful if they got out; if they found a place humid enough to survive they would eat any mold hidden away in crevices of the house.
If it’s for the creepy crawly factor (which, let’s face it, it almost always is), I don’t think either would really be explorative enough to be seen taking a stroll across the carpet. If they find a place they’re able to survive, they’ll probably stay around that spot. The springtails are tiny enough that you probably wouldn’t notice them anyway, and the isopods you would probably spot making a break for the enclosure door.
Supposing you go the less common beetle route; why? Not meant in a judgmental way, but out of sheer curiosity, why go for a less commonly utilized option? Is there a pro to other options than springtails and isopods that I’m not aware of?
Sorry if this was too long to be easily understood, I’m just really into bioactives.

[InsaneJul]

Assuming you go with the traditional cleanup crew of isopods and/or springtails, they don’t have anything to worry about. Springtails are native to just about everywhere and only eat dead things, and isopods follow a similar path, but will eat live plants or tiny animals if it comes down to it. Neither could hurt a person, and springtails would potentially be helpful if they got out; if they found a place humid enough to survive they would eat any mold hidden away in crevices of the house.
If it’s for the creepy crawly factor (which, let’s face it, it almost always is), I don’t think either would really be explorative enough to be seen taking a stroll across the carpet. If they find a place they’re able to survive, they’ll probably stay around that spot. The springtails are tiny enough that you probably wouldn’t notice them anyway, and the isopods you would probably spot making a break for the enclosure door.
Supposing you go the less common beetle route; why? Not meant in a judgmental way, but out of sheer curiosity, why go for a less commonly utilized option? Is there a pro to other options than springtails and isopods that I’m not aware of?
Sorry if this was too long to be easily understood, I’m just really into bioactives.

This was very helpful, thank you! I was definitely planning on going the traditional springtail route. And yeah, it’s really more the creep factor than anything else. Part of the reason I chose to get a Bluey is that my housemate is strongly against having live insects in the fridge and their diet doesn’t rely on that. Hopefully after I talk to her about what you’ve said on the insects she’ll feel more secure. Thanks again and I might look you up if I end up using bioactive environment!

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Happy to help!

[splashy07]

Isopods and springtails can only survive in a damp/humid environment. The substrate would have to be damp for them to thrive. (I breed isopods). May be fine for an indonesian type skink but I would not suggest for Australians.

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

Isopods and springtails can only survive in a damp/humid environment. The substrate would have to be damp for them to thrive. (I breed isopods). May be fine for an indonesian type skink but I would not suggest for Australians.

Would it be possible to make humidity pockets that meet the requirements of the isopods and springtails? I’ve seen several enclosures where that’s what they did, and it seemed to be effective?

[splashy07]

Again, depending on your skink. In most cases substrate does not stay in one place. And to keep damp areas in an animal's cage that does not have that requirement does not make sense. I would not want my eastern deciding to sleep there.

[ThatOneReptileNoob]

That makes sense.