Bio Life Forest Substrate 10Ltr

Bio Life Forest Substrate from ProRep provides a premium specialist bioactive substrate suitable for maintaining living plants in forest environment terrariums.

Bio active substrates are designed to allow the maintenance of living ecosystems inside the terrarium. ProRep Bio-Life Substrate is carefully blended from a mixture of ingredients to provide the optimum combination of structure, pH and nutrient content which allows vigorous root development for living plants and a suitable habitat for commensal organisms such as springtails and woodlice.

When used in a planted terrarium a living ecosystem can be created where the terrarium occupants co-exist with the plants, bacteria, fungi and detritivores living in the substrate creating a self-sustaining ecosystem which requires minimal maintenance once fully established. The bacteria, fungi and detritivores digest waste material, which is in turn taken up by the plants for growth, locking away harmful nitrogen while creating a living, natural habitat.

Directions:
ProRep Bio-Life forest substrate is best used inside glass or plastic terrariums as wood vivariums may be damaged by the moisture held in the substrate.

To prevent the substrate becoming waterlogged it is important that adequate drainage is provided. The best material to use are expanded clay balls which will hold water, while allowing oxygen to penetrate. Their large surface area also provides a habitat for millions of beneficial bacteria which are an essential part of the living terrarium ecosystem.

First place a layer of clay balls in the bottom of the terrarium. The depth will depend on the type of terrarium and the habitat being created. If the terrarium is to have aquatic areas then the depth of clay balls needs to be adequate to ensure that the substrate is above the water level. If the substrate is in contact with with the water then it can become waterlogged leading to toxic conditions.

Once the drainage layer is in place it should be covered with a permeable membrane. This allows water and oxygen to pass freely, but prevents the substrate from being washed into the drainage layer.