Small terrarium recommendations
 

Hello all,

So today the large glass container I was planning on using as a small terrarium was accidentally broken. :(

Fortunately no one was hurt but unfortunately, I now need to buy something to serve as said terrarium. The bright side is that originally I wasn't going to be able to mount anything in that container, but now I potentially can!

I started on Amazon and eventually found myself checking out H Potter and Exo Terra (after perusing the forum a little while).

I want something smaller, nothing larger than 12"L by 12"W, but preferably with some height for mounting space. I'm thinking something pretty low maintenance as a beginner.

I am loving the classic, victorian style of H Potter: H Potter Plant Terrarium Wardian Case Indoor Planter 65-1

Table Top Barrel Roof Terrarium by H Potter

But the price.:shock:..It's doable but I'm nervous spending that much just starting out.

Amazon has some much cheaper alternatives ($20-$30) but would it be any good?
Robot Check

Robot Check

And then after looking through the Board, I'm seeing that a more elaborate set up like the Exo Terra might be the best way to go for future projects. I am a little nervous they don't have any prices listed on their website though...

So, any advice for a brand new newbie to terrarium gardening?

I have an Ikea Socker (SOCKER Greenhouse, white indoor/outdoor - IKEA) on the way but I am planning on putting my two Phals (in their pots) in there just to try and increase their humidity. I was really wanting a more self contained ecosystem look for the smaller terrarium and hoping to plant some mosses or some jewel orchids as ground cover.

It probably depends on what you want to grow, how much space they need and their humidity requirement. Sometimes candy dishes, clear cookie jars, and glass bowls with lids can work for those orchids that need really high humidity (can often be found cheaply at a Goodwill). I saw someone growing an orchid in an old glass coffee pot once. There are so many options for a small terrarium if you want to be creative.
I tried the Ikea one but it wasn't very well sealed and did not hold humidity well at all. World Market had small ones that were really good at holding in the humidity and were not too expensive, more in the line of the pictures you are showing. Not sure how good the ones are that have caught your eye. I ended up buying a twenty-gallon aquarium at Pet Supplies Plus dollar-a-gallon-sale and use that now. You could always get a five gallon tank ($5 + tax) at their summer sale if you have one nearby. It would be a cheap way to experiment with terrarium gardening and give you enough room to fit in a nice landscape (I keep cherry shrimp in a five gallon tank with a bunch of plants, etc.)

Start with something like a gallon pickle jar, a very large vase from an outlet store like Ross or Marshalls, or a lidded glass storage jar like the first one here:
Anchor Hocking Pantry Storage Jars
My local Smart & Final market sells these 1 gallon lidded storage jars for $15.

I have very tall and wide cylindric glass vases I've bought at Marshalls for less than $10. I put a glass dish from a second-hand store over the top as a lid, and I can put another orchid on the dish.