Below is a step by step guide to setting up a small terrarium using a standard glass aquarium. This terrarium was setup as a display at the E.R.A.C. Show in 2006 to house Bumblebee Poison-arrow Frogs (Dendrobates leucomelas) but the basic principles can be applied to a number of different set ups for a wide range of species.
Starting off with a standard 18x12x15" glass aquarium, table space is limited at the shows so I can't go any bigger than this and any smaller would be difficult to do anything with.
The tank is lay on its side and a coco background is cut to size. I descided to use a coco background as they are one of the most versitile backgrounds suitable for a wide range of plant types to root to.
Aquarium safe silicone is applied to the inside back wall to attach the coco background, I would normally use more silicone than this but this is only a temporary construction. The coco background is put in place making sure to press it down firmly where the silicone has been applied. Bricks are used to hold the panel down overnight while the silicone cures.
The silicone holding the coco background has now had time to dry and can be stood up ready for work to begin. A 2" layer of Hydroleca is added to create a drainage layer, this is especially important as the terrarium is going to be used to demonstrate our misting systems.
Next a substrate divider is used to allow excess water to drain away while preventing the main substrate from washing into the drainage area. It is advisable to cut the substrate divider slightly larger so that it laps up against the side of the terrarium. Some substrate is added along with first plants, The substrate we are using in this set up is coco as it is free draining and neutral with a small amount of long grain sphagnum moss mixed in. The plant is Vriesea racinae.
The landscaping continues with the rest of the substrate being put in along with some bog wood. More plants are added at this stage, all plants are planted direct into the terrarium substrate. The plants used here are Kunth Peperomia (Peperomia pereskiifolia) and Pothos 'Golden Queen' (Scindapsus aureus).
The Peperomia's climbers are trained up the background using small wire clips, these wire staples can be removed once the plant has rooted. Next planting of the background begins. Using a sharp knife make a slit in the background and open it up to form a planting pocket for your Bromeliads.
Push the roots and stolon of the bromeliad into the planting pocket, the species used in this photograph is a form of Neoregelia variegata. Using small wooden stakes the Bromeliad is secured in place and a small amount of Moss is added to help retain moisture and encourage the bromeliads to root quickly. Be careful not to add too much Moss or cover too much of the base of the plant or you may cause the bromeliad to rot.
I've also added 2 Neoregelia schultesiana 'Fireball' to the left hand side of the terrarium in the same manor.
I've decided to use a floor covering of Carpet Moss in this terrarium as it is a bit more "showy" than leaf litter or plain soil, in this photograph I have also added in a Brazil Nut Pod partially sunk into the soil, this is one of the products I wanted to put on display with the terrarium.
Sponge Mushrooms are added to the side of the terrarium, these are another product I wanted to display using the terrarium, they can be used to provide extra climbing space in the terrarium for the inhabitants. The Sponge Mushrooms are attached using the same silicone as I fixed the coco background in with.
Canes are used to hold the Sponge Mushrooms in place while the silicone sets. Once the silicone holding the Sponge Mushrooms has had time to cure and the canes can be removed.
I also added in a small Fern and a trio of Golden Mushrooms to give a bit more decoration and that's it, the terrarium is all setup ready for the frogs to be added at the show.
We hope that this article provides you with some ideas for a set up of your own.
