How to Pick the Right Type of Terrarium

Series Summary

A terrarium is a small version of a vivarium. A vivarium is a small enclosed container that contains a portion of a fully supported ecosystem simulated on a smaller scale. Environmental activity is simulated by the use of lights, heating systems, hydrating systems and ventilation systems. These tiny ecosystems can support many different types of exotic plants and small animals. A terrarium usually simulates a dry habitat such as a desert or Savannah area. Plants and animals inside of a terrarium must require the same living conditions including humidity and sunlight requirements.

In this series of informative video clips, our expert explains the workings of a terrarium. Get tips for selecting your terrarium and the background for your terrarium. You will learn about placing the base layer and planting plants into your terrarium. Get expert advice on the lighting, heat and humidity needs of plants and animals in a terrarium. Caring for your terrarium is often differs significantly from caring for regular plants and pets. Learn the basics of watering and fertilizing within a controlled ecosystem. Become a terrarium enthusiast after watching these fun videos.

This series is an Equilibrio Films production.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Wes on behalf of Expert Village.com and in this video segment I am going to show you how to set up and maintain a tropical plant terrarium. If you want to know more about carnivorous plants and other plants and how to build a terrarium, you can visit us at equilibriocarnivorousplants.com. So the first step when you are going to build a terrarium is selecting the right terrarium. Here we have three different kinds of terrariums. First here is your most basic square rectangular terrarium that is very small but it really depends on what kind of terrarium you want to set up, what kind of plants you want to put in the terrarium. That is going to determine ultimately what size terrarium and what kind of terrarium you use. This one is perfect for small plants and a small plant set up. I like using these terrariums because they have a lot of different advantages to them. Here they have a front opening door that allow for a lot of convenience and easy access inside of the terrarium. You can also close them and then they have a clip if you have any sort of animals inside the terrarium which will keep them securely in here. They also have a screen top that you can easily take on and off and it also allows for extra ventilation. In addition you also have these back slots here that allow you to use any sort of electronic equipment that you may put on like heaters or lights and you can the wires down in the background so you won’t have to see them and they won’t be a eye sore. "