Giant African Train Millipede -Archispirostreptus gigas

Inverterbrates such as the Giant African Train Millipede require a very humid environment constantly to prevent them from drying out. With this build Simon decided to go bioactive and give plenty of room for the inhabitants.

Build Specification

Exoterra 60x60x45 terrarium
Exoterra Stand
Exoterra Lock
Sealed with 100% clear aquarium grade Arbosil 1081 Silicone
Exoterra Canopy
Exoterra light bracket
Reptile Systems Clamp Lamp ceramic holder
1x Habistat dimming thermostat
Arcadia 80w Deep heat projector bulb
Arcadia 15w Jangle Dawn
SuperRainNano / SuperRainII misting system
Retics and Reptiles Repti Plug
Lucky Reptile Hydro Fleece
Exoterra bio drain clay pebbles
All fittings for electricals are done mechanically and not with adhesives for maximum security and pet friendly safety.

Exoterra set up

Part one of the build, make sure your Exoterra is in good working serviceable condition, make sure you clean out and rinse thoroughly to ensure any chemicals are cleaned out. Invertebrates and also amphibians are incredibly sensitive to any chemicals so rinsing and re rinsing is best. This build will be bioactive, so fill the bottom part up with water and let it stand to ensure the Exoterra is water tight.

For this build I also have an Exoterra hood and Exoterra lock

Lining out the bottom for draingae, and plumbing in your rain and heating system

To make a bio active vivarium for plants and invertebrates that burrow, add a nice drainage layer so that the water doesn't saturate the substrate you put in I used Exoterra drainage clay, then I added Lucky Reptile hydro fleece, this separates the drainage layer from the substrate to prevent them mixing.

This is a good time to start setting up heat and misting system as well in your exoterra cupboard.

I used a SuperRainII system, but a SuperRainNano would do for a single enclosure.

Exoterra light bracket
Reptile Systems Clamp Lamp ceramic holder
1x Habistat dimming thermostat
Arcadia 80w Deep heat projector bulb

Add a bank of pet safe substrate, deep white rotting wood and plants

Start by adding your substrate and add chunks of crumbling white hard wood such as oak layer by layer and add plants around them. I find it easier to use the puts to place the plants then once decided on a final lay out just remove them out of the pots and put them in the hole left.

Fitting the electricals

We can now get to the point where we fit all the electricals. With the light I actually strippe dout all the old fittings from a recycled Exoterra hood and used the screw holes to fit an Arcadia 15w Jungle dawn. I had to be quite careful; as not to break the holes i fitted the brackets to but found this to work really well favoring one side for light/shade.

Finishing Touches and Test running

You can see how the fial planted look, is, the mist system is installed and all probes put in place. Make sure you test run the system before adding the inhabitants and add lots of leaf litter to help with hiding and trapping in maximum humidity. Make sure the mesh lid is securely fitted and in a way that no inhabitants can escape from.

Final look and add inhabitants

Final bit of decoration and adding some of these fascinating and gentle creatures. I think this enclosure looks amazing and a great talking point in any room with limited space.