A vivarium is an enclosed habitat that simulates a natural environment for plants, animals, and microorganisms. Vivariums allow you to create a little slice of nature right in your own home. Constructing a vivarium takes research, planning, and some specialized equipment, but the end result is a beautiful, thriving miniature ecosystem. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to create your own vivarium habitat from scratch.
Choosing a Container
The foundation of any vivarium is the container that houses it. Glass tanks or terrariums are the most common choice as they allow visibility from all sides. The size depends on the inhabitants – smaller is easier for beginners. A 10-20 gallon tank is a good start. Make sure to choose one with a secure, ventilated lid. For arboreal species, choose a tall tank. For aquatic species, choose an aquarium. Custom-built wooden vivariums allow for more creativity and built-in features.
Creating Drainage
Proper drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging Start with 2-3 inches of drainage material like clay pellets, gravel, or pebbles. Top this with a mesh barrier to prevent soil from filtering down Fiberglass window screen works well. This layer creates a reservoir to collect excess water.
Adding Substrate
The substrate is the soil in which you will plant. Good options include mixtures of coconut fiber sphagnum moss orchid bark, charcoal, etc. Commercial blends like ABG mix work too. Add 3-5 inches of substrate on top of the drainage layer. Slope it up in back for added depth and interest.
Constructing Hardscape
Hardscape refers to solid materials that provide structure, like wood, rocks, and backgrounds. Branches, vines, cork bark, and mollusk shells make great hardscape. Position vertically and diagonally to maximize visual interest and climbing/perching spots. Stack flat rocks or attach slab wood to the backwall to create levels and ledges.
Installing Equipment
Once hardscape is in place, install any equipment needed to maintain ideal habitat conditions. This may include:
- Lighting – essential for plant growth and animal day/night cycles. LED grow lights work well.
- Heating – under tank heat pads, ceramic heat emitters, or incandescent bulbs. Use a thermostat.
- Humidity – misting systems or humidifiers may be needed. Use a hygrometer to monitor.
- Filtration – aquatic setups need filters and possibly heaters.
Planting Flora
Now the fun part – selecting plants! Research species that match the natural habitat you are simulating. Good starter plants include pothos, ferns, peperomia, mosses, bromeliads, and orchids. Plant the tallest species in back, shorter ones in front. Plant epiphytes on hardscape. Spread tropical moss over substrate and hardscape.
Introducing Fauna
With the habitat fully planted, it’s time to consider fauna. Only add species suited to the size of your vivarium. Popular choices include dart frogs, tree frogs, geckos, anoles, and small fish or invertebrates. Never mix predator and prey species. Quarantine new animals before introducing. Add just 1-2 animals to start.
Achieving Bioactivity
To create a balanced, self-sustaining ecosystem, introduce microfauna like isopods, springtails, and beneficial fungi. These will break down waste and prevent mold/decay. Add leaf litter for microfauna to consume. With bioactivity established, the vivarium environment sustains itself naturally.
Caring for Your Vivarium
Once set up, vivariums require basic weekly maintenance:
- Monitor temperature and humidity levels. Adjust as needed.
- Check drainage system regularly for clogs.
- Inspect plants and prune/propagate overgrowth.
- Remove dead leaves and debris. Spot clean hardscape as needed.
- Feed fauna on schedule. Observe behavior/health.
- Perform partial water changes on aquatic systems.
- Wipe down glass to prevent mineral deposits from misting systems.
Troubleshooting Issues
Common vivarium problems and solutions include:
- Mold growth – Increase ventilation and air circulation. Remove affected areas. Add springtails.
- Waterlogging – Check drainage layer and plants for root blockages.
- Dry conditions – Increase misting duration and frequency. Soak substrate.
- Declining plants – Increase lighting. Fertilize or replace depleted substrate.
- Escaped animals – Seal any gaps or holes. Use tight-fitting lids.
- Animal health issues – Consult an exotic veterinarian. Review husbandry.
With close attention and quick corrective action, most vivarium issues can be easily remedied. Observe daily and fix small problems before they escalate.
Customizing Your Vivarium
Once you have experience under your belt, have fun and get creative! Customize with unique hardscape materials, specialty lighting, automated systems, mixed-species communities, and more. Scale up in size and complexity. Take on a new challenge like a paludarium, riparium, or mixed terrestrial/aquatic habitat. The possibilities are truly endless.
Constructing your own vivarium habitat is an incredibly rewarding DIY project for both nature lovers and pet owners. Follow this step-by-step guide, do your research, and don’t be afraid to make tweaks until your vivarium is thriving. Soon you’ll have a beautiful, balanced slice of nature to enjoy right in your own home.
Step 4: The Floor
…built the floor frame making sure it was screwed into the studs in the wall. The owner wanted to have the floor raised as it would make maintenance easier and allow for storage underneath. As I was not sure how much weight the bath would hold I decided to add three support legs. Better to be safe than sorry. I think the pictures are quite self-explanatory. Then we added a shallow front wall for a bath to hold the soil and plasterboarded everything.
Step 9: Interior Design 1- the Log
This was the fun part! The owner had a pretty good idea of what she wanted on the inside of the vivarium. She had most of the components but the main one was still missing. We had to find a big log! Luckily it was an easy task as we just so happened to come across one on the shore of a nearby lake. I took it home, removed loose material, and then pressure washed it. To get rid of any critters I placed it inside our sauna for a good month or so.
How to build a Natural Vivarium (From Scratch)!
FAQ
What is the difference between a terrarium and a vivarium?
The key difference between a vivarium and a terrarium lies in their primary purpose: a vivarium is designed to house and support animal life, while a terrarium is designed for growing plants.
What is needed for a vivarium?
Be sure that you’ve decided on all of the necessary basics before beginning to purchase supplies, including: the terrarium itself, a drainage layer substrate, a screen separator, substrate, plants, microfauna, and lighting.
What is a paludarium vs vivarium?
A paludarium is a type of vivarium that features both a significant water area and a land area, designed to mimic a wetland environment.
Are vivariums hard to maintain?
There is still a fair amount of work that needs to be put into keeping one healthy and clean. Removing large amounts of waste, doing water changes, cleaning the glass, and partially replacing some of the substrate are the regular tasks that need to be completed in order to sustain a living terrarium or vivarium.