How to set up a terrarium

[saskatchewanexotic]

With all the people we have come through here every year we always get the same question.

How to set up a terrarium

I was set up some the other day for some new arrivals and thought I should take some pictures.
Too bad the pictures didn`t turn out that great
I still decided to post them anyhow, along with a quick guide to planting in case anyone needed help with a naturalistic/high humidity enclosure.

I would first like to state that Early`s Farm and Garden Center (Saskatoon) is our best friend when it comes to a lot of our supplies. Since we have approx 30 reptiles in off season we need to make sure we stretch out our "reptile budget" every month.

For example, you can buy the cocofiber blocks for 2.99 instead of the fancy packaged stuff at the pet stores for 6.99.


Here I am going to plant a terrarium that is an Exoterra 18x18x24



I am going to start by using a bag of hydroballs as the base before I use soil. This will allow for the soil to have proper draining so that the soil/roots do not mold. We buy these at Early`s. For members building a single terrarium the hydro balls can be bought in 2kg bags for 5.99. Larger bags are available.



Then I add a mix of coco fiber and pure organic (no additives) top soil. (50-50)



Then I add the plants. I use mainly ficus, bamboo, bromeliads and pothos. Pothos are awesome for a first time terrarium as they are nearly impossible to kill.



We like to use a naturalistic set up for nearly all of our humidity loving geckos for many reasons. The earth and the plants do help keep humidity levels high in a well ventilated enclosure but they also create a small ecosystem inside your enclosure. This ecosystem allows for the break down of the feces and urates. If you chose this sort of set up for your reptiles take note that you will soon begin to notice tiny bugs.
Do not worry, this is normal! Your soil is now "live" and will cycle its self!

Here is a list of great plants you can use in your terrarium safely!
Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Sweet Alyssum (Allyssum species)
Asperagus Fern (Aperagus setaceus plumosis)
Aster (Aster species)
Baby Tears (Helxine soleirolii)
Bamboo
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exalta)
Bottle Brush (Callistemom)
Bouganvillea (Bouganvillea)
Bridal Veil (Tripogandra multiflora)
Bromeliads (Aechmea; Bilbergia; Cryptanthus)
Cactus, spineless (Astrophytum)
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Coleus (Coleus)
Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans)
**Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummulariifolia)
**DO NOT CONFUSE ABOVE WITH !!!!Glecoma heteracea!!!!
Croton (Codiaeum species)
Dracaena (Dracaena species)
Emerald Ripple (Peperomia caperata)
Eugenia (Peperomia caperata)
Fuschia (Fuschia)
Geranium (Pelargonium species)
Hen and Chicks Succulent (Echeveria)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Hoya (Hoya exotica)
Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
Impatiens (Impatiens)
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
Jasmine (Jasminum officinale: J. grandifloum)
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Monkey Plant (Ruellia makoyana)
Mother of Pearl (Graptopetalum paraguayen)
Natal Plum (Carissa grandiflora)
Painted Nettle (Coleus)
Palms (Areca species)
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
Petunia (Petunia)
Phoenix (Phoenix roebelenii)
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii)
Pilea (Pilea species)
Pink Polka-Dot Plant (H. ypoestes sang.)
Ponytail Plant (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Pothos
Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Purple Passion: Purple Velvet (Gynura)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)
Tree Mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora)
**Umbrella Plant (Eriogonum umbrellum)
**DO NOT CONFUSE ABOVE WITH !!!!Scheffiera actinophylla!!!!
Velvet Plant (Gynura aurantaca)
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albiflora)
Warneckii (Dracaena deremensis)
Wax Plant (Hoya exotica)
Zebra Plant (Calathea zebrina)
Zinnias (Zinnia species)

[asbit]

Looks great!!

[crazycolubrids]

Nice. I also did a live naturalistic setup about 2 weeks ago.

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[saskatchewanexotic]

That looks awesome!! What do you plan on putting in it??

[ciliatus48]

Those look awesome!

[watersnake]

Hey crazycolubrids, how did you get the moss on that stick? It looks great!

[sherie]

so can you tell me if money trees are safe??it is the Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) , also known as the Guiana Chestnut
Malabar Chestnut,Saba Nut,Water Chestnut

I put one in and havent been able to find it on any safe lists or unsafe lists!

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[joeysgreen]

Crazy, I'm assuming a lot of that moss, the wood etc was found outside... the terrarium looks like it's been growing for years, not a couple of weeks. It looks fantastic, and I hope all the greenery holds. Local stuff generally doesn't do well with heat so keep it cool and wet.

Ian

[crazycolubrids]

Ya I found those logs with the moss on them. All the moss on the ground was also collected outside. It worked good for a few weeks and the moss grew like crazy, but I got lazy and forgot to mist it for a couple days and that was the end of the moss. I took everything out of this tank so I can start a new live viv. I found some moss at Home Depot that I think would look really good. I think its called Selaginella.