Vivarium How to
How to Build Vivarium
In this article I’ll show you some basic construction tips for vivariums. This won’t be step by step tutorial, but I hope it will be helpful for you.
First of all, decide what kind of vivarium pet you’ll raise. Buy or make appropriate sized glass aquarium.
Gather all additional plants and materials that you’ll need to decorate. Wood, cork bark, rocks, disguised plastic, ornaments, or any number of other items. It is important that anything placed in the vivarium is clean and non-toxic. Items found outdoors must be cleaned before placing them in the vivarium.
If you are making more complex tropical vivarium with high humidity, you have to build False bottom (see pictures below)
After that, install some background, top closing, substrate and start decorating as you want. Use you imagination.
I prefer to make different conditions in the vivarium so my pet will be able to choose where is the best spot for him.
After you are done with decoration don’t put inside your vivarium pet immediately. Let the vivarium make his own ecosystem in 1 or 2 days.
For best lighting have at least two fluorescent bulbs above the vivarium. This is the cheapest and easiest to maintain lighting source.
Always wash your hands before and after working with a vivarium. This is both for your’s and your animal’s protection.
False bottom
Many vivariums require false bottom to prevent getting your substrate waterlogged. Your vivarium pet won’t last long in rotting mud substrate.
Here you can see some example pictures how you can do that.
Vivarium how to 1
Vivarium how to 2
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vivarium scheme