Bioactive Crested Gecko Vivarium
I got this roughly 25-gallon vivarium in May 2025 after it had been left mostly unmanaged for several years. Since then, I’ve gradually expanded the ecosystem while keeping the original hardscape intact. Additions have included Mipha, my crested gecko, established isopod and springtail colonies, aquatic snails in the water section, new plants, fresh leaf litter, and an automatic misting system.
The Setup
This custom-built vertical vivarium is designed to maintain high humidity while still providing airflow for both plants and animals. The enclosure features a partially screened lid for ventilation, while the remaining section is covered to help retain moisture. Humidity is maintained using a MistKing automatic misting system with three nozzles programmed to run briefly in the morning and evening. Lighting is provided by a FluvalSmart fixture programmed with gradual sunrise and sunset periods to create a more natural day cycle. The hardscape consists of a cork background with attached wood branches that provide climbing structure and support for epiphytic plants. Cork planters mounted throughout the enclosure hold soil for various plants, while the base uses a layered substrate system with clay drainage balls beneath a barrier layer and soil substrate above. A submersible pump is hidden within the drainage layer to circulate water through the enclosure’s shallow water section, which is lined with lava rock along the bottom of the vivarium.
The Inhabitants
The vivarium supports a small bioactive ecosystem made up of plants, microfauna, and aquatic life. Mipha, a crested gecko, is the primary inhabitant of the enclosure. The cleanup crew consists of dairy cow, dwarf white, and dwarf purple isopods alongside white springtails, which help break down organic matter and maintain soil health. The shallow water section is inhabited by ramshorn snails and Malaysian trumpet snails.
Plant growth throughout the enclosure includes bromeliads, pothos, creeping fig, and patches of sphagnum moss. The aquatic section contains floating dwarf water lettuce and guppy grass, helping create additional cover and nutrient uptake within the system.
Current Status / Future Plans
The vivarium has continued to mature steadily, with healthy plant growth and an active bioactive ecosystem throughout the enclosure. Mipha has adapted well to the setup, and the cleanup crew and aquatic inhabitants remain well established. As the system develops further, I plan to continue improving the overall aesthetics and plant density of the enclosure.
Future additions will likely include more semi-aquatic plants such as Java fern and Anubias along the edges of the water section, as well as additional epiphytic plants higher up in the enclosure where the background is still relatively sparse. I’m also considering introducing a small population of Neocaridina shrimp to the water area, where the abundance of microfauna and organic material could help support a stable colony.