They often require a different, more direct approach to management. Where simple plant terrarium ecosystems can be observed and gently tweaked, environmental conditions in vivariums typically need to be monitored and tightly controlled. But in practice, a glass bottle terrarium is generally a very different build to a plastic bottle terrarium. REPTI ZOO’s terrarium has a mesh top that can be removed in two separate parts. This makes cleaning the tank or adding décor very easy. The top edge of the tank also has closable gaps for running temperature probes or extra cables into the interior.

The combination of tank size, substrate, door, hood, lighting and décor makes it hard to know which enclosure is best. Yet, it is possible to narrow down the best reptile terrariums. The birdcage-style glass terrariums are particularly nice. I like this fresh take on the Wardian Case (Image Credit UrbanBornShop on Etsy) Are you planning to keep a pet reptile and need to know how to set up a terrarium and what makes a good one? Stable – Species that don’t need crazy seasonal fluctuations or any extremes of temperature/humidity are going to be the easiest to keep.

A terrestrial Bromeliad with an astonishing number of options for leaf size, shape, color, and patterns, there is sure to be one that fits perfectly in your terrarium. The foliage of Earth Stars is a flat rosette with stripes in pink, red, green, or white. Now, the open terrarium’s ludicrous because it’s against what a terrarium is. The Latin definition of the word ‘Terrarium” means enclosed earth – Terra, being Latin for Earth and arium being adapted from aquarium for the enclosure part. Ferns adore humidity and consistent heat, making them ideal plants for a closed terrarium. They also don’t usually need much light and are adaptable to many growing conditions. There are many fern types to choose from, ranging from miniature houseplant varieties to compact growth tropical species. Maidenhair Ferns (Adiatum)

Nicola Clements works at Haddonstone, purveyors of fine cast stone ornaments handcrafted in England. For more information, please visit haddonstone.com. You may also like: Make sure to add a good dose of activated charcoal to the mix. Available powdered or in pellets, activated charcoal will remove unwanted toxins, absorb chemicals and keep your terrarium healthier for longer. Ready your plants LED candles or fairy-lights – provided they’re battery-operated and not electrical due to the high moisture content All three of these Skylight LED lights are passive, which means they don’t require fans to cool their mechanisms; as a result my Skylight LED lights operate silently. This is important to me, as I do not enjoy spending time near noisy lights or equipment; I prefer the sounds of nature to that of machinery.Next, we’ll take a high-level view of all of the important factors involved in vivarium ecosystems. Airflow / Ventilation

The plant, unfortunately, dies soon after flowering, but flowering can take several years. Utilizing this plant is a great way to add variety to your terrarium – every few years, you’ll need to switch it out for another Earth Star or possibly a whole different plant. Bugleweed (Ajuga)

All About Reptile Terrariums

First-time keepers usually want décor that is simple, easy to clean, and attractive. For tanks smaller than 20-Gallons, the setup below works very well: Frogs – With all manner of tree frogs and poison dart frogs, there’s a huge variety of vibrant colorful species to choose from. Reptile tanks should be on some type of stand. This can be a custom-built stand or a cabinet. A stand allows for air to flow underneath the tank, this is especially important for an under-tank heater. Step 2. Install Lights and Heaters