Glass Houses

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Comment by Sebastian Vess on January 24, 2012 at 3:57pm

As soon as I can get really good images, I will upload. I started with terrariums and then began making accent frames for my aquariums.

Comment by Edward 'Captain' Fry on April 17, 2011 at 1:46pm

surface: organic compost as mulch; decorative green moss or other plants
top: coconut fiber
middle: organic potting soil
bottom: hydroponic balls (terra-lite), kitty litter or aquarium gravel.

if you plan on keeping live stock that tends to burrow then add a screen (like from a screen door) between bottom and middle.

Comment by Lady Hydropolis on April 15, 2011 at 10:52pm

Greetings,

I'm looking for suggestions for converting a boring, ten-gallon aquarium into a steamy terrarium. I haven't made a terrarium since Girl Scouts, and I will not admit how long ago that was.  I recall something about using activated charcoal and having some success with a miniature moss garden.  What are the recommended layers of materials for drainage, moisture retention, and root growth?

Regards,

Lady Hydropolis

Comment by Edward 'Captain' Fry on April 1, 2011 at 5:35pm

I just posted a topic about building a Paludarium. I use the example of firebelly toads but it works very well for several other species including salamanders, newts or up it to a 90 gal or larger for a basilist. For a tiger salamander i would follow the above but switch the kittylitter/sand/moss mix for a coconut husk/soil mix (they dig) also the size of the front area should be reduced and mostly full of river rocks to provent drowning and replacing a waterdish.

Comment by C.D. Fleur on April 1, 2011 at 5:26pm

Anything with newts or salamanders? A planted tiger salamander tank would be very nice.

Comment by Edward 'Captain' Fry on April 1, 2011 at 4:08pm

good day all, I just joined the site and I noticed this group! fantastic! I build and maintain all sorts of vivariums that contain wildlife, so if you guys ever have questions about maintaining animals insects birds or fish let me know. I'll help best I can

Comment by C.D. Fleur on January 2, 2011 at 7:20am

The white stuff might be "pearlite". 

 

Terrariums can be open or closed, or mostly closed with just a little gap to let in fresh air. Cacti in a mostly-open container can work well, and then you don't have to dust them.

 

Some plants do very well in enclosed areas, some don't. You can experiment, and be prepared to pull something out if it goes bad, or look things up.

 

(I worked in a specialty greenhouse for a season to try and figure out if I wanted to open one. *sigh* an indoor plant geek too, I suppose.))

Comment by Jessica Campbell (jade panther) on January 2, 2011 at 6:55am

Well its all about layering. gravel, charcoal (keeps stuff clean suposidly), sphagnum moss (keeps water levels stable) and than dirt. I, being the cheap person that I am, just use gravel and than those white bean deals than dirt.... oh and dont over water it or you'll cause root rot... also containers that you can fit your hand in are easier to plant things in. 

Comment by Tanglwyst de Holloway on January 2, 2011 at 6:26am

So, I happen to have a bottle collection. I wonder if any them would make good terrariums? What is involved in making a good terrarium?

Comment by Tanglwyst de Holloway on December 31, 2010 at 9:03am

First post!!!

 

I always thought of terrariums as little faeries playgrounds...