Zoo Med Tropical Bioblend 8.8L - Substrate Blend for Tropical Terrariums
Zoo Med Tropical Bioblend 8.8L - Substrate Blend for Tropical Terrariums
A ready-mixed bioactive soil that holds humidity and feeds live plants. Zoo Med Tropical BioBlend is a soil substrate blend combining Zoo Med's ReptiSoil base with fir bark chips and sphagnum moss, built for bioactive tropical terrariums running live plants and a clean-up crew.
This 8.8 L bag is a ready-to-use mix — there's no separate ordering of soil, bark and moss and no guessing at ratios.
Key features
- ReptiSoil base — a blend of humus, peat moss, sand and carbon that gives live plant roots somewhere to establish.
- Fir bark chips — mixed through the soil to stop it compacting, keeping drainage and aeration open at the substrate surface and below.
- Sphagnum moss — holds moisture and lifts humidity for tropical species, and resists breaking down, so the mix stays workable for longer than a plain soil blend.
- Bioactive-ready — formulated as a base layer for a clean-up crew such as springtails and isopods to work through, not a potting mix repurposed for a terrarium.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Zoo Med |
| Volume | 8.8 L |
| Blend | ReptiSoil (humus, peat moss, sand, carbon) + fir bark chips + sphagnum moss |
| Format | Ready-to-use, no mixing required |
| SKU | BA8319 |
Zoo Med doesn't publish a coverage depth or bag weight for this size. As a guide, an 8.8 L bag suits a shallow bioactive base layer in a small-to-medium terrarium; a larger enclosure, or a deep layer for burrowing species, will need more than one bag.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
- Bioactive tropical terrariums running live plants and a clean-up crew
- Humidity-loving species that benefit from a moisture-retentive substrate — tropical geckos, tree frogs, and tropical isopod or springtail cultures
- Not suitable as-is for arid or desert setups — it's formulated to hold moisture, which is the opposite of what dry-climate species need
- Not a calcium or mineral supplement — it's a growing medium, not a dietary product
Care and maintenance
Refresh humidity by misting rather than a full re-soak — sphagnum moss holds water well without needing to be saturated. Spot-clean waste as you would with any bioactive substrate; a healthy clean-up crew handles the rest.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel item — no special freight handling applies.
Common questions
Can I use this without a clean-up crew?
Yes — it works as a straightforward moisture-retentive planted substrate on its own. You'll just need to manage waste manually rather than relying on isopods and springtails to break it down.
Does it need rinsing before use?
No. It's sold ready-to-use — tip it in and plant straight into it.
Will it stay damp without daily misting?
The sphagnum moss content helps it hold moisture longer than a plain soil mix, but tropical setups still need regular misting to keep humidity in the target range for the species you're keeping.
Is it safe for burrowing species?
The blend is loose and diggable, but Zoo Med doesn't publish a specific impaction-risk rating for this mix. As with any particulate substrate, keep an eye on feeding practices for species prone to substrate ingestion.
