Terra Aranea Bioactive Kit 12" x 12"

The complete bioactive starter kit for tarantulas, scorpions, vinegaroons, and other terrestrial invertebrates — sized for enclosures with a 12" × 12" floor print or smaller. Terra Aranea's unique blend supports both arid and tropical invert setups and holds the burrows and tunnels your animals instinctively need.

What's Included

• x1 6-qt Terra Aranea bioactive substrate — The Dude's #1 substrate for tarantulas and inverts; holds tunnels and burrows in both arid and tropical configurations
• x1 The Bio Dude Compressed Sphagnum Moss Brick (150g) — expands when hydrated; use to create a moisture zone or line the bottom of a water dish area
• x1 Cacao Leaf Litter (20 ct) — natural surface cover that breaks down into organic matter for microfauna and provides hides for skittish inverts
• x1 2-qt Cork Bark Pieces — creates climbing structure, hide opportunities, and surface anchor points for plants or egg sacs
• x1 6-qt BioShot — microfauna inoculant perfectly dosed for this kit's substrate volume

What You'll Need to Add

• An enclosure with a 12" × 12" floor print or smaller (arboreal or terrestrial style depending on species)
• Springtails (required for a functioning bioactive invert enclosure — they process waste and prevent mold)
• A shallow water dish appropriate for your species' size
• Species-appropriate temperature and humidity management

Enclosure Size & Substrate Depth

This kit is designed for enclosures with a 12" × 12" floor print or smaller, filling to a recommended depth of 4–6 inches minimum. Tarantulas and burrowing scorpions need significant depth to dig retreats — a shallow substrate layer is one of the most common setup mistakes and can cause animal stress. If your enclosure is larger than 12" × 12", you'll need additional substrate. This kit is intentionally sized to avoid overfilling small nano enclosures.

Initial Setup: Step-by-Step

1. Hydrate your sphagnum moss: Soak the compressed moss brick in water for 10–15 minutes until fully expanded. Squeeze out excess water — it should be damp but not dripping.
2. Layer your substrate: Add the full 6-qt Terra Aranea to your enclosure. For terrestrial burrowing species (e.g., Grammostola, Aphonopelma), fill to at least 4–6" depth. For obligate burrowers like Pelinobius or fossorial scorpions, fill to 6"+.
3. Inoculate with BioShot: Sprinkle BioShot evenly over the substrate and gently mix into the top inch. This seeds the springtail and microfauna colony that will keep the enclosure clean.
4. Add leaf litter and cork: Lay cacao leaves across the surface and arrange cork bark pieces to create hides, anchor points, and visual breaks.
5. Add sphagnum moss: Place hydrated moss in one corner or against one wall to establish a moisture gradient — critical even for arid species during molting.
6. Cycling period (1–2 weeks recommended): Allow the enclosure to stabilize before adding your invert. Watch for surface mold during the first week — springtails will control this rapidly once established.
7. Introduce springtails first if possible, then add your animal after the colony begins establishing.

Ongoing Bioactive Maintenance

• Minimal intervention: In a functioning bioactive setup, springtails and microfauna handle waste breakdown and mold prevention. Avoid the urge to over-clean.
• No full substrate changes needed in a healthy setup. Tarantulas are long-lived; a properly set bioactive enclosure can remain intact for years.
• Spot clean: Remove uneaten prey items within 24–48 hours to prevent unnecessary mold spikes.
• Moisture: Lightly dampen one side or corner of the enclosure every 2–4 weeks, or as needed based on your species' humidity requirements. Never fully saturate.
• Leaf litter: Replenish cacao leaves every few months as they break down into the substrate.
• Molting watch: Do not disturb the enclosure or interrupt the animal during the molting process. The moisture gradient established by the sphagnum moss supports safe molts.

For species-specific care guidance, visit The Bio Dude's care sheet library.