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how do you identify anaerobic soil? does it have a sort of like... acidic or bitter smell to it? a while back I ordered some bags of bioactive substrate for an enclosure and ended up overestimating how much I needed. so the remaining two bags have sat unopened for a few months. I opened one the other day with the intent of adding it to one of my other enclosures, and the soil in the bag doesn't smell right to me. I really can't describe the smell! I've read that anaerobic soil smells sulfurous, but this soil doesn't smell like sulfur, just... *bitter*.

adding onto that... can you fix anaerobic soil? is there anything that can be done to improve its health or is it a "throw it out and start over fresh" kind of situation?

In my experience, a slightly bitter smelling soil can be from just being sealed up for an extended period of time (a bit of moisture builds up in the bag). I've had that happen quite a bit and haven't had an issue when I used it. When I start up/redo/add to an enclosure the longest part is really adding the substrate, because I turn everything over repeatedly as I add new bags of soil and biodegradables (leaf litter, bark, moss, etc) as I go

Anaerobic soil smells ... Swampy and sour (which makes sense, since this occurs when there's compacted, wet and nutrients dense soil). If you catch it early, you can reduce watering, aerate the soil regularly and add sphagnum moss/cork bits etc, to help it get back on track, but if it's really bad, starting over is the best bet, imo, as I've read that it builds up gasses that can be harmful.

#bioactive

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Sweet lil alien-faced bb ambushed me when I was watering her enclosure, so she got to come out for a bit.

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #corn snake

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Enclosure pics!

Got the rosies some lavender, thyme, and lemon balm plants just in time to try to soothe Haloke's anger at mowing over her callisia repens:

And here are a couple of shots of Jinsin's enclosure. It's a little lopsided, since the bug den is taking up so much space in that front corner 🙃

#reptiblr #reptiles #reptblr #bioactive #rosy boa

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Haloke judging me after massively pruning back her callisia repens

(this plant will be the death of me. Haloke's were doing so good, then they started to turn a brittle brown. Soil is moist not soggy, and I do try to mist their leaves regularly. Here's hoping it makes a come back, but I won't hold my breath 🙄)

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa

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Mesa

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Another rendition of Varya's enclosure. Most of her plants died, she had no CUC, and I feel like the soil was a quick second from turning anaerobic (no foul smell, but something about the look of it was off). So I got her out, and overhauled everything - adding more soil, getting new bugs and leaf litter (plants are purchased, they just haven't shipped).

Against most people's thinking, I don't think bioactives are less work; I think they are just a different type of work. I happen to enjoy and/or tolerate the tasks and guidelines that go with bio more than I do traditional set ups, but they all have their pros and cons. /rant.

Also, caught Varya warming up this morning after lights on :)

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa

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Keeva's a hongry girl

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #african house snake

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Moved Jinsin (San Felipe rosy) to his permanent enclosure today.

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa

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Aisling's enclosure.

Her shamrock plants are doing really well. Just added some orange sedge in today.

I also had to get her a new cool side hide as her old one had started to come apart; took advantage of a sale to get her the smaller hide for mid-enclosure.

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #african house snake

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#snake feeding #reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa #corn snake #african house snake

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The mealybugs in Mesa's enclosure came back and took over his ponytail palm again.

This time I took it out, soaked it in a hot vinegar water solution, clipped leaves and roots (AGAIN) and planted it in a pot away from the enclosure. At least all the other plants seem mealybug resistant for now.

But since I had to rescape his enclosure on the fly, Mesa had a chance to get out and do whatever he wanted...which turned out to take up residence in an exercise band 🤣

He really does react way better with the inclusion of a snake hook. No bites and no strikes when handling 🥰

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa

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Viper

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I had a really rude surprise waiting for me when I went to get Aisling's shed ...

... apparently they are garden *millipedes and serve the same function isopods do as clean up crew. I made sure to dampen the substrate, add a ton of food and some cuttlebone (isos and springtails are living in Aisling's cool hide, not just these new residents) then I put leaf litter over the whole mess.

She's been denning just fine with them, so we'll see. They were very calm even with me futzing around. Seemed ... personable, almost 🙃

#reptiblr #snakes #bioactive #african house snake

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Yuzu's enclosure apparently didn't latch, so he was able to go walkabout. Found him in my bathtub this evening 🫤 (I know the washcloth looks gross, but it's clean! Just stained from makeup 🤣)

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I decided to harass Ofeefee's bugs Tuesday, because I wanted pictures. They were not happy 🤣

Also, Maize was being cute. She's got some size on her now, and while she's always been curious about people, she's really starting to explore her enclosure and use the ledges/branches (she had been stretched out, checking things out but noticed me and had to turn around to come say hi).

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #corn snake

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Yuzu got some magnetic ledges for Xmas yesterday, so we can take advantage of more of the vertical space in his enclosure. His plants are also doing just amazing, which I'm so happy to see (one of these days I've gotta add more substrate in; it's really shallow).

Also, he's a cave troll and really antisocial, so you're welcome to the best pic I could get of him last night before he freaked out and hid (sorry for the hideous reflections; he doesn't like the doors opening when he's trying to explore)

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #african house snake

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Definitely on the naughty list ...

#reptiblr #reptiles #snakes #reptblr #bioactive #snakes of tumblr #rosy boa