really want a bioactive settup!

[u/asthmaticinc]

how do i keep plants alive in a settup without direct sunlight? do i meed to invest in a growlight? any recommendations for hardy plants to include/grow light if i need one? thx!

[u/Flasky-Desk]

You'll definitely need a light source, I just use normal lamps and it works fine. Just make sure they are bright enough. 

The type of plant depends on how often you need to water. I usually use a mix of plant shop advice and trial and error. 

Just be sure to rinse them off multiple times and leave the plants alone for a few months before letting them in with animals! Pesticide poisoning is usually deadly. If you don't have that kind of time get cuttings from FB marketplace or similar. 

Lastly it's better to go big on bioactive tanks to prevent mold. I didn't dare for anything below 30x30 myself but I'm not super experienced yet. 

Also add a small amount of activated charcoal to your dirt mix 

[u/asthmaticinc → u/Flasky-Desk]

ok, thankyou! this isnt an immediate thing, more like a goal for a display habitat for an exhibit (educational purposes for the kids in my town!) so ill take all the precautions necessary.

does the charcoal mess with burrowing species dyk or is it ok to use? just because ik that some inclusions can cause respiratory issues for certain inverts

[u/Flasky-Desk → u/asthmaticinc]

I honestly don't know. I think it should be fine for a millipede. Maybe check online. Also some plants could possibly be dangerous to a millipede when they nibble on it, so be careful about that. I don't know anything specific though 

[u/asthmaticinc → u/Flasky-Desk]

all good, ill look into it! ty for ur advice :))

[u/manicbunny]

The bioactive subreddit is a great resource for information on plants, lighting etc... 😊

[u/asthmaticinc → u/manicbunny]

oh, thankyou! i didnt even think about the existence of a bioactive subreddit!

[u/asthmaticinc]

this is for a scorpion and a centipede, forgot to add