The Dude's signature Substrates 101

What's up guys?! I felt it was time to bring you a new and improved substrate review with a couple guest appearances from some of our soil inoculates. If you're new here, welcome to my channel. Many moons ago I embarked on this journey to make reptile & amphibian keeping easier and better for the animals we love. With my 5 signature substrates, a little creativity and some research you can create a self sustaining vivarium ecosystem in your own home! If you want to help your animals live their best #BioActiveLife then look no further than The Bio Dude. Check out my website below to get started on your very own journey to creating a habitat where your animals will THRIVE!
- The Dude Abides

- Instagram: TheBioDude
- TikTok: TheBioDude

Location: The Bio Dude Inc Houston
15116 Highway 3 Bldg 4
Webster, TX 77598
Phone: [phone]

[philiprussell]

I really think The Dude (Josh) is among the forerunners of the next generation of the hobby of reptiles and amphibians. I think a lot of younger people like Josh are fed up with the nonsense of industrial husbandry and are unapologetic in showing that the "standards" in the hobby are nonsense and need to be adjusted. Keep on being great Josh!

[lukehartley]

Every time the dude walks off camera at the end after saying "the dude abides" I just imagine him and the dogs walking out the door all wearing shades then climbing in the car and driving home

[Laura-mnfh]

Ok. I have to be honest. You’ve inspired me to start serious research into keeping reptiles and amphibians. I’m in the fishkeeping hobby, and am a total crazy person about botanical-heavy blackwater setups (current obsession is my wild betta channoides pair in a biotope type tank). But before I nerd out, I have to switch back on topic lol. I’m absolutely fascinated by the similarities between that kind of aquarium setup and what you talk about. Focusing on not just keeping and enjoying the animals… but on replicating the functionality of the ecosystems they come from. Looking at the substrates and microfauna. Taking advantage of those natural processes to maintain an actual functioning, balanced ecosystem in a box. Somehow, I never thought about running a vivarium much the same way I run aquariums. You caught my attention, man. And I appreciate it.

[tylorbrown]

I would work at this place. ALL DAY. great videos.

[SANWMA]

I love it bro, as a gardener and life long reptile keeper i have to say this is both amazing and easy! Invokes the “Why didn’t i think of it before!” Thoughts. Lol😅 thank you for making it easy and not to expensive so we all can have a safe professional source of substrate for our little critters. 😊

[MushroomKingdom]

That green background really makes those terrariums pop‼️‼️‼️😊

[Jrileyvt]

With Terra Sahara do you need a false bottom for drainage?

[shiina]

I wish you guys shipped to Japan. I love what you make and feel like the Japanese herp scene is missing such a great product

[FreshDesignLLC]

I really appreciate the upload Dude, I was having a bit of a rough day and this really helped cheer me up. Keep making videos, hopefully a hedgehog one will come soon enough, but what BioDude substrate would you recommend for a Chinese cave gecko? Just wondering since you privated the old video. Thanks so much for uploading videos, and doing your thing. Keep grinding 👍

[twproguewolf]

Just started keeping again with my first Gargoyle Gecko had to start completely over so I didn't do bioactive yet wanted to get him situated first and then do my first bioactive build but didn't know where to start. Started doing my research and found this video. Incredibly informative and helped out a bunch! Earned a fan. Thank you!

[aronoiiel]

Incredible informative video! Being new to reptiles myself this was alot of excellent information I can really file away and use for my herps! I only have teo but I want them.to have the best lives they can. It was kind of like watching a zoo presentstion like how they simulate wild habitats ^_^ love this!

[julie]

Great video! It's so clear how passionate you are about this and I love seeing people continue to raise the standards for the hobby! Super happy to see your product available in Canada as well! 🇨🇦

Do you think you will ever start making bigger bags of substrate for larger species/enclosures? The bottom of my boa's enclosure is 6'x2', so I need about 120 quarts of substrate to cover the bottom and give her enough depth to burrow. That's more than 3 of the 36 quart bags 😅 Definitely an investment, especially if it's going to last years and years, but it sure would be nice to be able to buy a bit more in bulk. I do plan on upgrading her to a bigger enclosure in the future as well.

Cheers, and keep up the great work!

[caronwatson]

Please ship to the uk!!! You would be killin it over here!! I have my own reptile room and would LOVE 💕 to try your products and I’m sure I would not be the only one 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Primativemind]

I'm waiting on your guys ten gallon kits for asian Forrest scorpions. I'm really excited to set it up, and give my scorpion a better home!! It's tunnels keep collapsing in, it is really enjoying the leaf litter I have in there though!! I can't wait to watch it burrow and make its own unique tunnels!!

[jaredeberle]

Cant wait to see an update on smithers enclosure

[mikepetersen]

Hi Josh. That was entertaining and informational either. I would really like You to ship to Europe or even Germany. Especially when Your'e keeping Tarantulas or other Invertebrates the Choices are poor: Cocofibre, potting Soil or Turf for the most Part. Maybe You could get a Retailer or Partner over here? Maybe Someone like Zoo Zajac, they're the biggest Zooshop at least in Europe and already selling Exo Terra Products. Anyway, it was Fun to watch espacially with that Dog popping up from below.😂

[baker]

I’ve been doing as much research on these substrates as a could but couldn’t find much so I’m extremely lucky that you coincidentally decided to upload this, would you recommend terra flora mixed with vermiculite and spaghnum moss as a indoor plant soil

[rogerstenstromkmow]

A lot of very good information here. The only substrate I have experiences with is the Terra Flora. It works and keeps dart frogs healthy. Allows water to drain through The substrate and helps keep the humidity in the enclosure. Love your products Dude.

[thereptilegarden]

I wish you would do a Basilisk build. I have a 36x18x24 that I’m going to be using for mine once I order it, but I’m basically winging it with the tank setup because there are no videos I swear about Basilisk setups, let alone Bioactive. I plan on hopefully one day starting my own YouTube channel and do builds on there as well as put out great information about the animals!

[mrturveydrop]

Could you explain further what you meant by being careful introducing a millipede like the large Florida Ivory Millipede, and what does the "juice they emit" mean? Thanks!