These are tips and techniques showing you how to make a vivarium. This tutorial was submitted by Michelle and my thanks go to her!

She has quite a few vivariums here on my website you can check them out here: Michelles Vivariums

My first suggestion would be to think and imagine what kind of eco-system you are looking for before beginning . Then proceed with some research on what kind of plants thrive in it , temparatures,lights,dirt, drainage etc etc .

Then, place all items together before to view what has been chosen and to try and make a little arrangement/plan and how to place. Then begin !

 

I usually like to put clay balls. You can also just use river rocks/rocks to create a drainage under your dirt as well. Clayballs you can get at hydroponic/horticulture stores, summer greenhouses,and some pet stores as well )

Then after putting the clay balls, I cover then with a whole layer of weed control fabricso that the dirt and clay balls dont mix together , then your dirt mix , then plants, decorations,moss,branches,etc, top layer ....then voila !

 

So the first vivarium is my 1 1/2 yr old vivarium that i recently all cleaned out and re-did with better drainage and arrangement lately to freshen it (yearly). Tthere are many live plants (3-4) and two big eyed tree frogs, one female and one male. They like to burrow and hide during the day, and instantly come out at night, when the timer turns the light off and come out to hunt crickets and sing all night long :) i put crickets every couple of days for their feeding and add 1 cup of water every other day as well to keep the filter flowing (since some gets evaporated by the uvb light, and some gets absorbed by the plants,so more is needed)

 

 

The Photos Below
1-the first is of the terrarium on its shelf, where you can see the light, as well of the layers created inside of the vivarium for drainage (lil frog in water)
2-next is a photo from inside the terrarium (where the water filter is situated) kind of like a bottom of a river
3-inside of terrarium view ( the frogs as well as the crickets seem to love the skull )
4- inside of terrarium view
5-whole view of terrarium

 

Exo Terra Glass Terrarium, 18 by 18 by 18-Inch

• Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians
• Patented front window ventilation
• Raised bottom frame in order to fit a substrate heater; Waterproof bottom
• Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape
• Closable inlets for wires and/or tubing management

Easy Gardener 1041 Weed Block Landscape Fabric - 3-Foot x 50-Foot

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