Quick answer: Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix is a Canadian-made, ready-to-use ABG-style substrate from Jurassic Reptile Products. ABG-style mixes are built to stay airy, drain well and hold moisture without going soggy, which is exactly what live plants, springtails and isopods need in a humid bioactive terrarium. It is a strong choice for tropical builds such as crested gecko, dart frog and tree frog vivariums. For drier enclosures, a semi-arid blend is the better fit.
What "ABG" means
ABG stands for Atlanta Botanical Garden, where horticulturists working with dart frogs and tropical plants developed a soil designed for vivariums. Ordinary potting soil tends to compact and turn waterlogged under constant misting, which suffocates roots and goes sour. The ABG approach combines coarse, chunky components that hold an open structure with fibrous, moisture-retaining ones.
The original published recipe is commonly cited as a mix of fir bark, tree fern fibre, peat, sphagnum moss and horticultural charcoal. Commercial "ABG-style" mixes today follow the same idea, but each maker uses its own blend and substitutions. Tree fern fibre, for example, is often replaced because of sourcing concerns. We will not guess at Jurassic's exact recipe here: check the product listing or the bag for the current ingredient list. For the full background on the style, read what is ABG mix?.
What an ABG-style substrate is designed to do
Hold moisture without waterlogging
The fibrous parts of the mix hold water and keep humidity up between mistings, while the chunky parts leave air pockets so that excess water drains down to the drainage layer. The aim is a substrate that feels like a wrung-out sponge rather than mud.
Resist compaction
Bark and charcoal pieces keep the structure open over time, so roots get oxygen and the soil does not slump into a dense, anaerobic layer. This is one of the main reasons bioactive builds using ABG-style mixes tend to smell earthy rather than sour. If yours does smell, see why does my bioactive enclosure stink?.
Support a clean-up crew
Springtails and isopods need damp, airy soil with organic matter to graze and hide in. An ABG-style mix topped with leaf litter gives them food and shelter, and in return they break down waste and keep mould in check. See the springtails and isopods guide.
Grow tropical plants well
Pothos, philodendrons, ferns, fittonia, peperomia and bromeliads all prefer an airy, moist, slightly acidic medium. ABG-style soil suits them far better than heavy potting soil or straight coco fibre. Browse our top 100 bioactive terrarium plants for ideas.
Why choose the Jurassic mix specifically
- Made in Canada. Jurassic Reptile Products makes the mix in Canada, and we ship it from Canada, so there is no cross-border shipping or customs to deal with.
- Ready to use. It comes pre-blended, so you do not need to source and mix separate components or store leftover bags of each.
- Part of a range. Jurassic also makes a Semi-Arid Blend for drier setups and a Tarantula Mix for invertebrates, so you can match the soil to the animal.
As with any bagged soil, results depend on how you build the enclosure around it. The substrate is one part of a system that also includes drainage, ventilation, lighting and a clean-up crew.
Which enclosures it suits
| Enclosure | Fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dart frog vivarium | Excellent | Use over a drainage layer with plenty of leaf litter. |
| Crested and gargoyle gecko | Excellent | Holds humidity between evening mistings. |
| Tree frogs (red-eyed, White's) | Very good | Allow surface to dry slightly between mistings for White's tree frogs. |
| Ball python, tropical snakes | Good | Keep moisture moderate and use a dry hide too. |
| Box turtles, red-footed tortoises | Good | Use a deep layer and a heavier top dressing of leaf litter. |
| Leopard geckos, bearded dragons | Not ideal | Use a semi-arid blend instead. |
Linked care sheets: crested gecko, dyeing dart frog, red-eyed tree frog and ball python.
How to set it up
- Drainage layer. Add 2–5 cm of clay balls for most tropical builds. See clay balls vs false bottom.
- Barrier. Lay a fine mesh barrier over the drainage so soil does not wash down.
- Substrate. Add the ABG mix at roughly 7–10 cm deep for most tropical setups, deeper for burrowers and larger plants. Moisten it as you go until it holds together lightly when squeezed but does not drip. Our substrate calculator and the guide how much substrate do I need? will help you order the right amount.
- Top layer. Add leaf litter and some sheet moss or sphagnum around plants.
- Plants and clean-up crew. Plant, then add springtails and isopods.
- Grow-in. Give the enclosure a few weeks to settle before adding the animal. See how to grow in a bioactive terrarium.
Common mistakes
- Over-wetting. Pooling water above the drainage layer means the soil is too wet. Let it dry back and drain the reservoir.
- Too shallow. A thin layer dries out fast and gives roots and isopods nowhere to go.
- Skipping ventilation. Even the best soil goes stale in a sealed box. Make sure there is some airflow.
- Panicking at mould. A white bloom in the first weeks is normal in fresh, organic soil and fades once springtails take over.
Topping up and replacing
An established bioactive substrate does not need regular replacement. Over a year or two, the organic parts break down and the level sinks. Top it up with fresh mix, and add more leaf litter regularly. If the soil becomes compacted, sour or waterlogged, a partial refresh is better than a full strip-out, which would wipe out the clean-up crew. In winter, dry furnace air can dry soil faster than you expect, so check moisture more often. More in keeping a bioactive terrarium healthy through a Canadian winter.
FAQ
What is in Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix?
It is an ABG-style blend, but the exact ingredients are set by the maker and can change. Check the current product listing or the bag for the ingredient list.
Is ABG mix good for leopard geckos?
Not really. Leopard geckos do best on a drier soil and sand style substrate. The Jurassic ABG Semi-Arid Blend is a better fit for them.
Do I need a drainage layer with ABG mix?
For humid, regularly misted tropical builds, yes. A drainage layer stops water from pooling in the soil. Drier setups with light misting often skip it.
How deep should ABG substrate be?
About 7–10 cm suits most tropical enclosures. Go deeper for larger plants, burrowing animals and turtles.
Can I add springtails and isopods straight away?
Yes. Adding them when you plant lets them settle in during the grow-in period before your animal arrives.
Does ABG mix need replacing?
Not on a schedule. Top it up as it breaks down, and only refresh sections if they become compacted or waterlogged.