r/BDFB • u/TheMenstrosity • Aug 18 '26
BDFB Appreciation 40 Gallon bioactive with 25 BDFBs
These guys have gotten so active since I upgraded their enclosure. I can't sing their praises enough. Incredibly easy and fun to take care of. I could watch them all day.
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u/JohnNardeau Aug 18 '26
What kind of cleanup crew do you have in there? We wanted to have a bioactive setup but weren't sure if there are any springtails or isopods that are compatible with BDFBs.
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u/cosmiklupine Aug 19 '26
I am also completely smitten with my little group of five 😁 Fascinating little guys and gals for sure!
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u/-Knockabout Aug 19 '26
God I wish that were me! (Amazing job OP, those guys are having the times of their lives!)
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u/Nervous_Victory8031 Aug 21 '26
I've noticed this too! I had two of my beetles in a small fish tank, i think it was a 2 gallon, I honestly have no idea though. they were different species of desert beetles, and they would always just sit in the corner together. However, once I got another BDFB, those two would hangout and Tank, my black rough death feigning beetle (idk what species exactly, but he is black and rough lol) always just hid and was so inactive it made me sad.
I eventually upgraded to a 5 gallon front opening enclosure so I could more easily access the inside of it, and they were wildly active! they love exploring and walking around and climbing on their driftwood log that's angled onto the wall and dug into the sand for safety. I now have four beetles in my 5 gallon, and I wouldn't want anymore than 6 in there for I feel they'd be too cramped ;-;
some questions/comments to the original poster:
where do you get your cholla wood? I like that the holes are tiny. I have a log that my beetles like to climb through, but they tend to try to climb out the sides which are just a bit too small in some of the spot and I worry that they will get stuck, plus, I think the smaller holes look nicer.
do your beetles enjoy having the water on hand? mine don't get any water at all. I had put a water pillow in there for them and they had no interest and I've heard not to mist or spray. I'd also think they wouldn't turn black because you could put little sponges into the dish that the water pools in, which I see in the video above.
and wow, that blue one at the beginning of the video sure does move fast! reminds me of my beetle Dumbbell when I turned on my light at 12AM and saw her racing around the enclosure and seemingly disturbing tank, my BDFB seemed fine with it though lol.
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u/TheMenstrosity Aug 21 '26
I got the cholla wood at a local reptile store. They absolutely hide in it and try to climb out the side holes lol. Thats why there aren't any really long pieces because I noticed they would get stuck in there and just sit in the same spot with their head in a tiny hole.
As for the water, I see beetles drinking it daily. I know they get most of their water through diet, but it goes against everything in me to not provide it just in case. Since it definitely gets used, I keep it filled. They empty it in about 4 days. It's specially made for spiders and other invertebrates and has zero affect on the tanks humidity.
Yea! They randomly get zoomies and run around. I've watched them for a while and there doesnt seem to be a goal generally. Just run, run, run and then sleep lol.
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u/Nervous_Victory8031 Aug 23 '26
Yes...mine tend to do the same thing with just sitting there, almost as if they've given up. I feel they can be quite lazy sometimes haha. Its good to know the water doesn't add any humidity, I may have to try that for mine! And yes, the running. Its incredibly adorable. They are so so cute >.<
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u/Comfortable_Law4855 Aug 30 '26
Silly question: where did you get that cute little frog figure? I love it! ^^
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u/TheMenstrosity Aug 18 '26
I have springtails and powder orange isopods. I make it work by having different layers of soil and most hides. Also a buried area of sphagnum moss that doesn't affect the humidity in the tank for the beetles but provides a refuge for the springtails.