Terrarium set-up & care

The fittings of a terrarium consist of four parts: the substrate, the decoration, aids for the care of the animals and, of course, the air conditioning and lighting technology. The best way to set up your terrarium depends first of all on which animals will inhabit it and whether it is a desert terrarium, a paludarium (terrarium with an aquatic area) or a rainforest terrarium.

Once you have decided on a terrarium type, you can look for potential inhabitants. Then you need to determine the space requirements of the animals to be put therein and to create conditions that are as close as possible to their natural habitat. Once you have determined the size and orientation of the display case or tank – climbing animals need more height, crawling animals need more floor space and different tiers – it is time to start setting up. Inform yourself carefully and try to simulate appropriate conditions by adapting the ambience and decor. Most of all, size is crucial. To create different temperature zones, the terrarium should have the appropriate dimensions, and the fittings can also help with this.
The animals’ way of life is obviously always more important than your personal preferences or the look. When buying the necessary terrarium fittings, you have a wide choice of products from manufacturers such as Hagen, Exo Terra,  Trixie, Zoomed and  Multifit.

The terrarium fittings you choose depend largely on the animals. However, there are some basic constants:

• Substrate: The ground must correspond to the ecosystem and take into account whether the animals also want to dig. This is especially true for female reptiles that need to bury their eggs.
• Plants: Only real plants can contribute to a good terrarium climate. Artificial plants may look very authentic, but they are dangerous for herbivores. It is better to ensure a species-appropriate climate with natural biological processes.
• Decoration as shelter and hiding place: Stone, root or cork caves are not only decorative, many terrarium animals need them as safe retreats and hiding places.
• Supply elements: Suitable bowls and drinking water supply, for example through drippers, are part of setting up a terrarium.
• Heating: You can create the right temperature for the animal with spotlights.
• Humidity: Spraying systems can regulate humidity in the terrarium.
• Light: There are suitable light sources for terrariums for every lighting need. A suitable UV-B source is absolutely essential for many terrarium inhabitants!

Apart from obvious mistakes caused by incorrect lighting, temperature or humidity, you should pay attention to safety when setting up the terrarium. Decorations and moving parts must be securely attached so that there is no risk of accidents to the animals. Please make sure that real plants in the terrarium are non-toxic. Herbivorous animals should not have artificial plants in the terrarium. The substrate depends on how the animals move around. A sandy substrate that is too fine or too coarse, for example, makes it difficult for snakes to move around. What many people do not know: Coarse pieces of bark like ReptiBark can be eaten and are then dangerous foreign bodies. They are also not suitable for digging and when walking they move back and forth. Besides, faeces and urine slip between the pieces of wood. And as far as heat is concerned, it is important for the animals to be able to avoid the heat sources as required.