https://www.frogforum.net/blog.php/6455-BioVivara Frog Forum - Your Pet Frog Community. Authoritative discussion forum for pet frogs and toads, including dart frogs, tree frogs, bullfrogs, toads, etc en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:24:55 GMT vBulletin 30 https://www.frogforum.net/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.frogforum.net/blog.php/6455-BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/225-Deconstructing-amp-Reconstructing-the-Vivarium-The-Deconstruction Mon, 14 May 2012 08:08:06 GMT It was important to deconstruct the vivarium so that we could evaluate all the parts of the system individually and gain a better understanding of ... It was important to deconstruct the vivarium so that we could evaluate all the parts of the system individually and gain a better understanding of what was necessary and how all the parts work together – or should work together. There are many elements that make up an entire vivarium habitat. But, when we strip away all the peripherals, we are left with a box. This box, be it glass or acrylic or any other material, must be able to sustain life. After all, by definition vivariums are enclosures for keeping life, animals in particular. (Source)

We sought to answer the question, “How do we recreate a natural, sustainable ecosystem in a vivarium that hobbyists will enjoy?” The answer centered on the balance of three elements: Function, Control, and Design. (More on the "why" of this in our series on The Ideal Vivarium.)


“Function” recreates the natural environment as close as possible with such things as active air and water movement, substrate and soil composition, native plants (or plants with similar needs), lighting needs and other environmental factors.


“Control” manages the functions of the ecosystem: light duration and intensity, air flow, water flow, temperature, and humidity.


Next: The Reconstruction: Intro ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/225-Deconstructing-amp-Reconstructing-the-Vivarium-The-Deconstruction https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/222-Deconstructing-amp-Reconstructing-the-Vivarium-Introduction Sun, 06 May 2012 06:58:18 GMT The scientific community has made it clear that captive animals thrive best in environments that recreate the animal’s natural habitat. This... The scientific community has made it clear that captive animals thrive best in environments that recreate the animal’s natural habitat. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity in our hobby. We have some of the most complex environmental conditions to recreate while making the enclosure look as natural as possible. And, so far, we do so with very few tools developed specifically for our unique needs.
It has been encouraging to see the advances made in many aspects of our hobby, such as more feeder insects, better supplements, more efficient lighting, misting systems, controllers, backgrounds and substrates. However, the actual enclosures that house our animals have not received the technological advancement necessary to give us the control we need to create the ideal environment for our animals. Our community members typically resort to modifying glass aquariums or retrofitting terrariums originally developed for reptiles.
Our driving purpose over the past several years has been to develop comprehensive understanding of what dart frogs need and how to best meet those needs. Our conclusion isn’t that we need to think either inside- or outside-the-box. Instead, we need to re-imagine the box. We deconstructed the vivarium, breaking down every system needed for best practices in dart frog husbandry. Then, we reconstructed it, incorporating technology and methods from other fields, to create the ideal nature emulating vivarium.
Next: The Deconstruction ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/222-Deconstructing-amp-Reconstructing-the-Vivarium-Introduction https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/219-BioVivara-Introduction Wed, 02 May 2012 05:15:51 GMT Hi my name is Seth. My wife, Rachel, and I run a company called BioVivara (short for biotype vivariums). We’ve been making custom vivaria since... Hi my name is Seth. My wife, Rachel, and I run a company called BioVivara (short for biotype vivariums). We’ve been making custom vivaria since 2008.
I’ve been keeping herps on and off for over 20 years but being in the Army meant putting off a lot of what I wanted to do in the hobby. But being in the Army did have one upside for my love of animal enclosures: I discovered the dart frog hobby in Belgium while stationed with NATO. I had never seen vivariums like these! It looked like they had recreated a rainforest and set it in their living room. I was hooked.


When I got back to the States I couldn’t find anything to compare as far as design and function. I started making my own vivariums by retrofitting aquariums, then recreating what I saw in Belgium, the Euro Type vivarium. But, all the enclosures I created never felt quite right. They didn’t have the level of control I wanted.


So, I began doing more research, breaking down vivarium construction theory to the very basics. Then, I started developing prototypes that would have the level of control I was looking for, along with the beauty and simplicity of the European designs. My father was impressed enough with my work that he gave me free rein in his fabrication shop and Biovivara was born.
A couple of weeks ago, we created a Kickstarter campaign to help us take our designs to the next level. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform where we can pre-sell our vivariums and use the funds to purchase the equipment we need and materials in bulk. We started by sharing my simplest design, the Miniature Orchid Desktop Vivarium. But when we started getting questions about whether dart frogs could be kept in them, we decided to add the larger vivariums that I specifically designed for darts.


At this stage, I’d like to invite the dart frog community to check out what I’ve designed and let me know what you think. Because our business model is designed around developing the best solutions for the dart frog community, we welcome your feedback! I’ve been disappointed that no company has yet made a vivarium specifically for dart frog hobbyists and I hope that our solution will more than meet your hopes and expectations. ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/219-BioVivara-Introduction https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/218-The-Ideal-Vivarium-Air-Flow Tue, 01 May 2012 15:35:25 GMT The best explanation we've found on why air management is important is from Lance Birk, author of The Paphiopedilum Grower’s Manual. Below is an excerpt:

Air movement has a critical influence upon the health of our plants. It is a life-and-death factor, ranking only slightly below the effects of over-watering, yet it is often overlooked and seldom understood. It is responsible for maintaining even temperatures and for generating humidity within the growing area, as well as for keeping fungus and bacteria in check.

‘Good air’ is that which is humid, but not saturated with moisture. It moves briskly, but not harshly. It has a clean, fresh smell to it, and makes the air around us feel ‘alive’. Warm, dry air is harmful. Saturated, slow moving or stagnant air is equally bad. The proper amount of air movement is that which balances your combination of light, watering technique and potting media, and it determines whether or not your growing conditions will be successful.
In order to get the feel of what good air is really like, take a look outside. Any time of day will do. Is there a time during which all movement stops, and not even a leaf quivers? Momentarily perhaps, but not often. Outside we may see leaves fluttering, branches swaying, or at times, even trees bending. If the movement is slow, only the leaves rustle, but with increased air movement the grasses will bend and fallen leaves will fly about. This is easy to detect, but how about the gentle breezes which can barely be noticed. Certainly they are pushing air, but just how much is moving?
Have you any idea of the volume of air that moves past you while you stand outside? If you can find someone who smokes, have her puff some smoke into the air while you study the direction in which it moves. Also, notice how rapidly it dissipates. If you were to enter your home growing area and make the same test, what would be the results? Chances are, that the smoke would linger for some time before it dissipated. Could you in fact, feel any air movement on your face?

When air movement is restricted the air becomes layered. Warm air moves upward and cold air falls. Inside an enclosure such as a home, this can provide false information about the conditions affecting the plants. A thermometer placed at eye level might be far different from one at plant level. In order to prevent the air from stagnating in layers, it is necessary to keep it moving sufficiently enough to thoroughly mix the warm with the cool. A plant needs even temperatures about it rather than having it attempt to continually adjust its growth to constant changes in temperature.

Want to learn more? Read the whole article here: http://www.lancebirk.com/downloads/CH__3.htm

Next Article: Water Movement (coming soon)


Seth
http://www.biovivara.com ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/218-The-Ideal-Vivarium-Air-Flow https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/217-The-Ideal-Vivarium-Active-vs-Passive-Systems Tue, 01 May 2012 15:33:42 GMT First, let’s define active and passive systems. A system, in this context, is the collection of fundamentals, like air and water, that make up a... First, let’s define active and passive systems. A system, in this context, is the collection of fundamentals, like air and water, that make up a vivarium and its ecosystem. These systems can be managed passively or actively.
The Passive System

A passive system relies on the natural flow of air or water. For example, in a passive system a vivarium owner would rely on gravity to pull water through the substrate. Most vivariums today employ passive air flow systems that rely on a series of vents and/or screens to ventilate the air. As the air warms, it cycles through the vents and/or screens.
The problem with a passive system is the ecological balance of the vivarium is difficult to maintain because the normal systems found in nature (like moving air and water) are only minimally present. When passive systems are found in nature, like a stagnant pool, we find an overabundance of parasites, bad bacteria and disease. In a passively managed vivarium, toxic conditions can develop that kill plants and animals. For example, CO2 can build up and suffocate small animals, such as dart frogs. Bacteria, fungus and parasites can grow out of control, destroying plants and infecting the other vivarium inhabitants to the point of death.
Though not all passive systems will immediately have problems, when a vivarium suddenly “crashes” (plants and/or animals suddenly die off) it is often a result of mismanaged systems that did not promote a healthy, sustainable ecosystem. Something was “off” and it finally triggered the collapse of the vivarium’s environment.
The Active System

An active system is one where the ecosystem fundamentals are actively managed and controlled to create a balanced, healthy environment. For example, a fan is introduced to the vivarium to actively promote air movement, which keeps CO2 from building up and air from stagnating. Water is actively filtered and moved with a pump, helping to oxygenate the water and prevent bad bacteria build up. Humidity levels can be managed with an ultrasonic humidifier to suspend water into the air column.
Active systems do not necessarily require a lot of work. Once we know what must be managed, we can add the controls necessary to keep the vivarium’s ecosystem healthy. Timers and controllers can be implemented to automate system management.
It should be noted that, for the safety of our plants and animals, it is important to keep environmental controls out of the living space of the vivarium. We should never add moving parts and electrical components (like fans, lights, etc.) where they can be accessed by our pets.
Up Next: The Ideal Vivarium: Air Flow


Seth
http://www.biovivara.com ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/217-The-Ideal-Vivarium-Active-vs-Passive-Systems https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/216-The-Ideal-Vivarium-The-Basics Tue, 01 May 2012 15:32:06 GMT Animals and plants thrive in their natural, complex ecosystems. To get the most enjoyment from our plants and animals, and ensure that they are... Animals and plants thrive in their natural, complex ecosystems. To get the most enjoyment from our plants and animals, and ensure that they are thriving (not just surviving), it is critical to emulate their natural environment in a sustainable way.
But, how do we create a nature emulating vivarium? The answer centers on the balance of three elements: Function, Control, and Design.
“Function” recreates the natural environment as close as possible. For example, function includes an understanding and implementation of habitat needs like active air and water movement, substrate and soil composition, native plants (or plants with similar needs), lighting needs and other environmental factors.
“Control” manages the functions of the ecosystem: light duration and intensity, air flow, water flow, temperature, and humidity. Many controls can be automated with technology available today.
“Design” combines functionality and control into an aesthetically pleasing enclosure. It accentuates what is pleasing to the eye and hides what is not. Good vivarium design minimizes visual barriers so that the enclosure becomes a work of living art instead of just a place to keep plants and/or animals.
Continue reading our series on The Ideal Vivarium to explore these elements in more detail and learn how to create your own living art.
Next Article: The Ideal Vivarium: Active vs Passive Systems

Seth
http://www.biovivara.com ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/216-The-Ideal-Vivarium-The-Basics https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/215-The-Ideal-Vivarium-An-Introduction Tue, 01 May 2012 15:29:08 GMT Planted vivariums have a long, rich history dating back to the 19th century. Early vivariums include the Wardian Cases developed by Dr. Ward, which... Planted vivariums have a long, rich history dating back to the 19^th century. Early vivariums include the Wardian Cases developed by Dr. Ward, which were beautiful glass vivariums in various shapes and sizes. Many Wardian Cases are still in use today.
During the mid-1800s, as the relationship between oxygen, plants and animals became better understood, the concept of creating a “balanced” vivarium (particularly the aquarium at the time) took root. Unfortunately, today, many of those early advances in keeping plants and animals in a sustainable, healthy environment have been discarded for plastic plants, colored gravel, and cheap containers that end up creating a toxic environment for the plants and animals.
In this series of articles, we explore how to recreate a balanced vivarium for the plants and animals you wish to keep, with particular attention to function, control and design. We bring the vivarium into the 21^st Century, showing you how to utilize current technology to create an enclosure that is sustainable and healthy, but also surprisingly easy to maintain.
Next: The Ideal Vivarium: The Basics


http://www.biovivara.com ]]> BioVivara https://www.frogforum.net/entry.php/215-The-Ideal-Vivarium-An-Introduction