Communal Inverts?

[Mjc52810]

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of putting together a bioactive enclosure that measure 24” tall and 18” at its widest point ( a diamond shaped, front opening enclosure). The plants I will be using for this enclosure require moderate humidity, such as ferns and an arrowhead plant. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a communal invert species? I already have some assassin bug colonies and two different roach colonies. Just curious what other interesting communals are possible.

 

[Smotzer]

When building a vivarium to house any animals, the animals care requirements for the environment should come first and not the other way around. I would change your approach and decide what, if any, specific invertebrates you want to keep in there and then choose plants around their needs. If that’s not possible I suggest you keep it just plants!

 

[Mjc52810]

When building a vivarium to house any animals, the animals care requirements for the environment should come first and not the other way around. I would change your approach and decide what, if any, specific invertebrates you want to keep in there and then choose plants around their needs. If that’s not possible I suggest you keep it just plants!

The plants are all quite tolerant and I feel like there are numerous inverts and reptiles that will thrive in these conditions. Just because I haven’t set my mind on a particular species doesn’t mean they can’t be housed in the enclosure. I also have some species in mind, I just know there are numerous inverts in this world and some people have different experiences than I do.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I believe the general advisory is to manage the animals and plants separately first for some months and then combine once you’re sure you can maintain both in the same enclosure without either suffering. The animals will always be put first in this forum. “I have this really cool enclosure, what live animal(s) can I put in it”, seems kinda backwards. This is more of a, “I have these really cool animals I need to house, how can I make their environment optimal for them?” kinda group. If you still want to put the enclosure first, I’d research the areas whose environment you are replicating and see what critters live there. All the best in your endeavor.

 

[Smotzer]

The plants are all quite tolerant and I feel like there are numerous inverts and reptiles that will thrive in these conditions. Just because I haven’t set my mind on a particular species doesn’t mean they can’t be housed in the enclosure. I also have some species in mind, I just know there are numerous inverts in this world and some people have different experiences than I do.

Some plants may be quite tolerant but not all animals are! Which is why I gave the the recommendation I did! I also give you this reccomendation as someone who creates in-depth planted vivariums for animals, and the animals are the main concern always! Researching the animals and the EXACT needs must be the top priority, not just what might work out.

In addition, I feel like for any enclosure knowing what exact animal will go into it first makes the design process itself that much easier, because you will know what plants you can chose to suit that animals particular environment and their placement in the tank for the plants to do well and or serve a purpose in the tank, and not waste any resources or lives in the process.
I love building planted tanks but animals are never the last thought process for me; it’s worked out very well in my viv building ‘career’. You can also just do plants and add springtails and enjoy the beauty of just the plants in their prime as well!

and just because they can possibly be housed in the enclosure doesn’t mean they they ultimately should. I am not trying to bash you or anything so please don’ttake it that way, just trying to offer direction for you to have the best experience as wel as any animals have that experience as well!

This is more of a, “I have these really cool animals I need to house, how can I make their environment optimal for them?” kinda group

Yes OP this is what I meant!

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

If you haven’t checked out @Smotzer ‘s planted tanks, check them out. They are really marvelous and impressive!

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

This is closest I got to bio active , I deemed sunlight levels too low …

When the plant 🌱 becomes the enemy !

I found this entertaining. Anyone else have similar thinking Ts ? Anyone else have similar story’s or pics ?

arachnoboards.com

 

[Smotzer]

If you haven’t checked out @Smotzer ‘s planted tanks, check them out. They are really marvelous and impressive!

Well shucksssss thanks

To the OP @Mjc52810
The below is a prime example of what I am really trying to get at in viv building purpose. This is a ~15gal that has been just plants and springtails with nomacrofauna for over two years now. The reason being is that, it looks incredible with only just plants, but mainly that when I was designing the concept and building and implementing it I didn't start from a specific animals needs; it was actually the miniature epiphytic ferns I wanted to create a display for as a priority. Thus I still haven't included any critters in here. There may be some that I could put in here, like you suggested might even do pretty alright or good, but I haven't yet decided on making that change, but if I was considering it I would then evaluate seriously if there would be any environmental changes Id need to make and if that would possibly compromise the plants or vice versa. I honestly love the tank the way it is, and more is not always better. Hope this illuminates my posts for you in a way that you can see I actually follow my own suggestions to you! Cheers!

“Above the Forest Floor” upright 15gal

• Smotzer
• Oct 17, 2023
• vivarium

This tank has really come in nicely over the last year. Just pruned it hard recently after a dry...

 

[Brewser]

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of putting together a bioactive enclosure that measure 24” tall and 18” at its widest point ( a diamond shaped, front opening enclosure). The plants I will be using for this enclosure require moderate humidity, such as ferns and an arrowhead plant. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a communal invert species? I already have some assassin bug colonies and two different roach colonies. Just curious what other interesting communals are possible. View attachment 479644 View attachment 479645

Interesting...
Are You thinking of Insects or Opiliones ?