Read carefully, although a complete kit is pictured, you are only ordering a few of the things you are going to need. Do not recommend.

We did a lot of research before buying vivarium supplies, and I can honestly say that this was the best deal. We broke it up by items, and a few things (like coconut fiber) could have been bought at a slightly cheaper price... but at a lower quality. We are beyond happy that we choose to just get the whole package here. There were two shipments, live Springtails and plants, then the other supplies. The shipments arrived two days after we placed our order. (We ordered on a Friday, first arrived Monday, second arrived Tuesday.) Everything came in perfect condition with directions! We are waiting for our back to dry and getting ready to construct the vivarium in a few days!

I ordered this product along side several other items that I mixed together as a Christmas upgrade to my new baby Crested Gecko whom replaced my 10 year old Crestie who had just passed recently. I thought since this was becoming more popular, and readily available for him I would try a live terrarium, and see how he compared to my old friend. I of course shopped between here, and two other places that are known for making bioactive set ups for reptiles, and decided to go with Josh's Frog's. Boy can I say I am glad I did for multiple reasons. Price wise this is the middle ground, but also the kit that comes with the most things and really in my opinion is the best value for what all you get the other two kinda left you lacking in the plants department without significantly increasing the price with out of kit plants and shipping costs. Materials wise they're all about the same each with their own respective blend of drainage layer, substrate mesh, substrate, leaf cover, and so one. The difference here is mostly in the plant choices, pricing of those plants, and the choices of a cleanup crew vs. just the one option or none at all with the one kit actually (you have to source them elsewhere) After I got past getting what was what I pictured as the best set up I could fit in his 18x18x24 Exo Terra Terrarium that's where shipping comes into play, and despite knowing FedEx is terrible in my area for even attempting to make a delivery they were the only option around Christmas time so I went with them instead of waiting for the USPS. This was the only downside and it was a terrible one. The day it was supposed to be delivered there was a delivery exception posted for weather delay which was odd as it was middle ground for Josh's Frog's live arrival guarantee, 2nd day delivery not attempted. Of course after the first day I contacted customer support to ask if my live arrival was still in affect, and settle all my other questions. I was responded to by Angela promptly, and she assured me everything was going to be fine. Little did the two of us know the nightmare FedEx was going to rain down on us. Eight days after the original shipment date, about 40 emails back and forth, and hours of work on Angela's part FedEx finally delivered. I'm not gonna lie none of the isopods or springtails live, and 3 plants arrived okay the rest I have in a greenhouse trying to save. But! by the end of the second day of failed delivery Angela had already started processing my entire live order for a replacement shipped via the USPS (which arrived earlier today with no problems and looks wonderful now that it's complete.) Beyond their amazing products, and plants Josh's Frog's customer service is without a doubt the best I've ever dealt with. Angela was helpful, friendly, understanding, and as frustrated with FedEx as I was. She was like the friend who jumps in the fight with you to help overcome the odds instead of the announcer calling the shots at ringside. Josh's Frog's cares about their customers, their product, and every step between them, and getting what you need to you and I would recommend them to anyone any day. This kit is well worth it my gecko has been crawling around it since about 3p.m. and I don't think he knows what to do because he just looks like "where do I go where's all my old stuff?"