Question on Purchasing Terrarium

[Becca]

Hi Everyone! I do not have a terrarium or a vivarium, and by the way what is the difference, I am new to this! Anyways....is there someplace that I could purchase a set up or is there a website someone might recommend that would have something for beginners or a website that has instructions for creating one of these? I love how they look!
Thanks!

[Ross]

Huge subject you've delved into. Terrarium comes from terra = earth. So the subjects in terrariums are primarily earth-related which means plants. Vivariums are for terrestial animals - frogs, serpents, etc. Orchidariums are terrariums that contain, mainly, orchids. I guess there could also be 'ariums for insectivorous species, etc. As to where to get one... several folks here have had their own made for them to their own specifications. Others have adapted aquariums (get it, aqua is water!) for their needs. I have done both. If you choose to go the custom route (a good way to go in my opinion) then Paul at First Class Aquatics LLC - Custom Acrylic Aquariums, Vivariums and other reef related equipment. is the best recommendation I can give. I spent a long time (months) deciding on how to spend my money and getting his input (which is first class, by the way.) See my gallery at http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ry.php?cat=608 Have fun in your project.

[Restrepia]

Becca,

In my opinion it all depends on what you want to spend.

You can go for the custom option like Ross mentioned or you can purchase ready to go orchidariums. Both can be costly!

You can go for a plain second-hand fish tank or a terrarium. My glass cases are from ExoTerra, I love them and they are not very expensive at all. Place a couple of small fans inside and supplement with artificial lights or place the growing case near a window.

Depending on what type or orchids you wish to grow will depend on whether you need to install automatic misters. If you are going for orchids that come from high altitudes then I would recommend you installing the automatic misters. If you are going for Paphs, Phals, Oncidiums or Cattleyas than adding a substrate like hortag or fine gravel to the bottom of the enclosure combined with hand spraying in the morning and early evening will keep your humidity at 50 - 60%, without the need to install the automatic misters.

[aquanut415]

Originally Posted by Restrepia

Becca,
My glass cases are from ExoTerra, I love them and they are not very expensive at all. Place a couple of small fans inside and supplement with artificial lights or place the growing case near a window.

these are great tanks to work with and very reasonably priced.