Vivarium & Terrarium ..

Vivarium Components :

1- Tank :

Normally we used the same water tank or aquarium that will be used in aquarium but there are two types of this :

- Even you will create the vivarium with false bottom type .

- Or there is another tank will work as a sump to serve the main tank , a drain pipe is required from the main tank to the sump tank this type will be named a seperated type vivarium

You will use products which is important for animals to live successfuly inside your vivarium and as disscucced in the first page the vivarium is a terrarium ut developed to inhabit animals inside whil the terrarium is just glass container for land plants ..

Types of Vivarium tanks :

1- Glass tank

2- Plastic ( Acrylic ) Tank

3- Plastic Enclosure

4- Wooden tank

5- Metal tank

6- Screen or mesh type tank

The fact that there is no water inside the tank and then no pressure inside , make a several choices even from very cheap materials to build the vivarium tank ..

A vivarium is usually made from clear container (often plastic or glass). Unless it is an aquarium, it does not need to withstand the pressure of water, so it can also be made out of wood or metal, with at least one transparent side. Modern vivariums are sometimes constructed from epoxy-coated plywood and fitted with sliding glass doors. Coating the inside of a plywood vivarium helps to retain the natural effect of the environment. Epoxy-coated plywood vivariums retain heat better than glass or plastic enclosures and are able to withstand high degrees of humidity. They may be cubical, spherical, cuboidal, or other shapes. The choice of materials depends on the desired size and weight of the entire ensemble, resistance to high humidity, the cost and the desired quality.

The floor of a vivarium must have sufficient surface area for the species living inside. The height can also be important for the larger plants, climbing plants, or for tree climbing animal species. The width must be great enough to create the sensation of depth, both for the pleasure of the spectator and the good of the species inside.

The most commonly used substrates are: common soil, small pebbles, sand, peat, chips of various trees, wood mulch, vegetable fibres (of coconut for example), or a combination of these. The choice of the substrate depends on the needs of the plants or of the animals, moisture, the risks involved and aesthetic aspects. Sterile vivariums, sometimes used to ensure high levels of hygiene (especially during quarantine periods), generally have very straightforward, easily removable substrates such as paper tissue, wood chips and even newspaper. Typically, a low-nutrient, high-drainage substrate is placed on top of a false bottom or layer of LECA or stones, which retains humidity without saturating the substrate surface.

1- Glass tank

Position of the Aquarium Tank :

Things to be taken in consideration when you mount your aquarium:

Avoid direct sun light position in the room ( Near the windows )
Avoid the corridors which are close to the tanks... The movement of people normally disturbs the aquatic life in the tank.
Ask about the foundation of the building specially if you live in a multi story building or in wooden house.. ask professionals if you have a big tank ( every 1 liter is equal to 1 kg , o 100 liter mean 100 Kg , 1000 liter mean 1000 Kg = 1 ton .. the sedan small car weight 500 to 800 kg ?!! ) . No problem if you put the aquarium on the Ground level (If there is no Basement).
Foam board or any soft material should be mount under the tank is very important to protect the glass .

To Calculate the Aquarium Tank size :

width x Length x hieght = Size in litets

Example :

400 mm x 600 mm x 500mm =120 000 000

Divided by 1000000 = 120 liters

Or:

40 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm = 120 000

divided by 1000 = 120 liters

Styro Board or Foam board or any proper soft materials to be placed under the tank .. ..

Good Positions for the vivarium

Sun Direction

Door

The blue and gray is not recomended position of the tank

Medium Size vivarium tanks with front sliding doors ..

A small glass aquarium tank ( Nano reef or Nano fresh water aquarium ) can be good enough for one or two small animals ( amphibians and lizards )

Publication advertisement showing ..A big horizontal shape vivarium with big screen side and top , suitable for chameleons , stick insect and other high ventilation requirement creatures ..

Medium Size vivarium glass tank with front sliding doors ..

You can see the upper front glass with two holes for the wiring and / or any other services ..

2- Plastic ( Acrylic ) Tank :

Not cheaper than glass but light weight , easy to cut , drill and glue .. the negative thing in the acrylic is scratch easily ..

Glass vs. Acrylic Aquariums :

3- Plastic Enclosure :

Some animals don't required a big vivarium or terrarium with lighting and other complecated needs , and liked to be isolated in small containers usually manufactured from Plastic with holes or openings for breathing , animals like scorpions , insects , tarantula, .. etc suitable for this type of tanks ..

If you have alot of works with your tank ( cuting , gluing , making holes , instal hinges .. It is better to use the acrylicl sheet to make a vivarium as a DIY project :

Acrylic Hinges ..

Openings for ventilation ..

The front door

Top cover with openings ..

Lock clamp

Other tanks made from Acrylic with diferent sizes ..

Above : several kinds , shapes and sizes for plastic enclosures ..

Below a plastic container for ball python ..

Below is a tarantula enclosures ..

Adjustable Opening ..

4- Wooden tank :

Article :

How to choose the right vivarium ? ( For Bearded Dragon )

Choosing the vivarium/ terrarium enclosure is actually quite simple, you just need to follow a few easy steps to choose the right one

courtesy to : www.pogopogona.com

For reference, the term vivarium is actually the collective name for aquariums, terrariums, paludariums etc… but it’s commonly used and understood to mean the same as terrarium, a mostly dry soil/ sand based habitat. The quick answer for a Bearded Dragon vivarium is: get a wooden vivarium of a minimum of 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (l x w x h).

Bearded Dragons need in their vivarium setup:

A dry hot/ arid habitat (little to no moisture)
A constant temperature gradient with a hot end (basking spot) and a cool end
Substrate to dig in
Space to climb and perch
Plenty of space to run around/ hunt food

That sounds like it might be fairly complex but following the below it’s quite easy to find the right vivarium/ terrarium. If you’re in a hot climate such as California in the US for example then a lot of the time you can keep them outdoors so only need to consider a caged enclosure since they’ll get their heat and UV naturally. If you’re keeping them indoors in a much cooler country such as the UK or Germany then you’ll need a proper vivarium setup and the below is written with this in mind.

Glass Vivariums / Terrariums:

For Bearded Dragons you should avoid vivariums made from a lot of glass such as aquariums, this is because the glass traps heat and makes it difficult to regulate the correct temperature and air flow, especially if you plan to keep the vivarium in direct sunlight. So just don’t bother, I’m sure you can set up the tank correctly and I myself am keeping a small dragon in an aquarium but it causes me no end of hassle getting the right temperature. Also another factor to consider is handling, with aquariums you need to put your hand in from the top and this will scare the beardie since it’ll think your hand is a predator making it very skittish. The other glass options are ones made by companies such as Exo Terra which are built specifically for reptiles, generally these are much better suited for lizards such as geckos and are too small for your adult bearded dragon, so again avoid in this case.

Mesh Vivariums :

Typically mesh vivariums are made for height and not floor area for more arboreal (lives in tress) reptiles such as chameleons, they also make it difficult to control the ambient humidity & temperature since heat can very easily escape, however if you live in a warm environment this may not be such a concern, however floor space and digging areas are a concern and so it’s best to avoid this.

Wooden Vivariums:

This leaves the wooden vivariums which are what I would recommend for Bearded Dragons. Being mostly wooden they are easy to maintain temperature in, they are cheap, there is plenty of floor space for the lizard and enough height. You can get them in flat pack/ DIY kit form, pre-built or you can even build your own viv. They do however require some preparation before they can be used – no matter how it is made.

With a wooden terrarium you need to ensure that the inside corners and edges have all been silicon sealed, this is to stop moisture getting into the wood and also any dirt/ soil escaping. If you’re building your own, you’ll need to make sure that the wood is treated and is moisture resistant to avoid warping. Silicon sealant takes a day to cure properly, it produces acidic fumes and so you can not expect to keep any wildlife in there until the sealant is cured – you also need a well ventilated area to do this in.

Your wooden vivarium should have air vents in it as well, at least one vent per square foot/ 30cm at the top of the back wall. Avoid wooden vivariums that have air vents at the base of the back wall of the tank since dirt and insects will escape through it. Personally I’ve found the best kits so far to be the Vivexotic ones.

Vivarium size :

Sizing up your bearded dragons vivarium/ terrarium is very straightforward, just remember that the more space you can provide, the better – If I could give them a whole room then I would. You need to know how big your bearded dragon will getso that you can create a habitat that will allow an adult to happily live in. My rule on sizing is that there is no maximum but for the very minimum the floor space should be 4 times the length of an adult (typically 2 foot/ 24 inches/ 60cm). This means that you need a vivarium with a floor space of at least 8 square feet (4ft x 2ft), a Rankins/ Lawsons dragon which only grows up to 12 inches will need half the size. This minimum size also allows for that fact that the dragon will have some time outside the habitat to exercise and explore.

For height you need to allow about 3-5 inches of substrate, more for a female, less for a male, you also need to allow for the 5 or 6 inches for the heat lamp fixed from the ceiling. Finally you need to allow the dragon spaces to climb since they are semi-aboreal. The minimum height I would suggest is 2 foot/ 60cm, but the ideal would be 3 foot.

In conclusion:

You can now see just how much space you need to properly keep a dragon, if your pet shop or breeder suggests keeping them in anything smaller then simply walk away, for young dragons you can keep them in smaller areas until they outgrow it but eventually you’ll need to face up to the fact that they need a lot of space – more than your average rabbit hutch! So you may as well sort it out now. There have been various people suggest that there are problems keeping a baby bearded dragon in large enclosure and that they have problems finding the food etc… I’ve yet to see any problem, although I do provide a heat source at both ends of the setup and use paper towel for babies but other than that I don’t change anything else.

A product review :

SPT-004 Wood Vivarium 60x50x100cm

courtesy to : www.reptiledirect.com.au

Online Price: $150.00

Product Code (SKU): SPT-004

Stock Availability: In stock now

Dispatched/Posted in: Pick up only

Estimated Time of Arrival: Pick up only

Weight: 250.000KG

Dimension (Deprecated): 100x60x20cm

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

An Outdoor Vivarium :

Ventilation Openings

Several types of wooden vivariums come with lower cabinets

Above a vertical vivarium designed speciall for green tree python ..

Product Description :

Choosing the correct cage is one of the most important considerations in keeping reptiles. Considerations of whether they are tree or ground dwelling; jungle or desert dwelling species will all play a part in what type of caging is required. We have a wide range of caging to suit all of your pets needs.

Please note that these items are sold as is - flat packed in the box and require some modifications prior to assembly. As such they are sold at material cost only so please only purchase this item if you are willing and able to do the modifications your end to assemble it.

The glass is included with these items at no extra charge and as the couriers transit insurance does not extend to glass you accept that you will replace the glass at your own cost should it arrive damaged in transit as we cannot accept claims on the glass.

Product Features:

Solid wood vivariums
Flat packed ready for assembly, easy to assemble - no drilling or cutting required
Large sliding glass doors for easy access
Mesh lids to make heat light placement easy just sit your lamps on top
Flow through ventilation by way of the side and top mesh ventilation.
Clear coated for extra protection but can also be painted.

Product Specifications:

Dimensions: 600mm long (side to side) x 1000mm high (top to top) x 500mm deep (front to back)

Product Information:

These solid wood enclosures are furniture pieces that will fit well in most homes. They are made to both look good and be practical for use with reptiles and amphibians. They come flat packed.

Solid wood enclosures enable a much more stable environment both temperature and humidity wise as the wood insulates against large fluctuations.

Wood terrarium for sale only - does not include the decorations.

Please note that these items are sold as is - flat packed in the box and require some modifications prior to assembly. As such they are sold at material cost only so please only purchase this item if you are willing and able to do the modifications your end to assemble it.

The glass is included with these items at no extra charge and as the couriers transit insurance does not extend to glass you accept that you will replace the glass at your own cost should it arrive damaged in transit as we cannot accept claims on the glass.

5-Metal tank :

A frame of metal can be used instead of plastic to hold the glass sheet or acrylic plastic sheet.. this type is old and rare to find .. spread widely before plastic , composite materials invent in early history of the terrarium and aquarium ( Last of 19th century and beginning of the 20 th century until World War 2 ) ..

But still popular with terrarium and miniature gardens hobbyists ..

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

Below : victorian terrarium from 19 century ..

6- Screen or mesh type tank :

You can use screen or mesh manufactured from metal or textiles , also chicken wire can work here for some animals like a good vented and dry cages , chameleon , mantis a good examples for that ..
Plastic , wood or metal frame should be used to hold the mesh , a proper opening for feeding and maintenance the animals should be available ..

It is very important to decided and select the animal(s) that you want to keep before selecting the type , size and shape of the tank .. Some animals is arboreal ( Live in trees and like to climb ) in this case a tall tank is required , Others need a good ventilation then mesh , screen type required , ..

You need to know how big your animal(s) will get ..

Then you can select the color of the external , finishing or the model which is not effect the animals space requirements ..

It is commonly mistake that we put the animals or select the animals upon the tank we have , also it is a good idea for the used tank or when we switch from aquarium to vivarium hobby but be carfull and study the requirement of the animal .

Room space : You need to think about the room or your house and where the tank will be ..

Several types and shapes of mesh vivariums

Case study :

Vivariums for Pet Snakes: What Are The Options?

When it comes to keeping snakes, one of the single most important factors to consider is what sort of housing you’ll use. There are a number of reasons for this:

Snakes are natural escape artists and will manage to escape through the most improbably small gap. A secure cage is therefore essential to prevent escapes.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals and require artificial heating to remain healthy. Your snake cage can make providing artificial heat for your snake easier
Pet snakes can be very sensitive to humidity. An environment that is too moist can lead to skin conditions. Equally an environment that is too dry can lead to problems with moulting.

In other words, getting the right cage for your snake will make everything else much easier. The wrong cage however can become a liability and either allow your pet to escape, or make controlling his habitat unnecessarily difficult.

Contents :

1 What Is A Vivarium Anyway?
2 Wooden Vivariums
- 2.1 Benefits
- 2.2 Weaknesses
3 Plastic Vivariums
- 3.1 Benefits
- 3.2 Weaknesses
4 Glass Vivariums
- 4.1 Benefits
- 4.2 Weaknesses
5 Converted Glass Tanks
- 5.1 Benefits
- 5.2 Weaknesses
6 Conclusion

What Is A Vivarium Anyway?

The so-called cages used for reptiles are generally known in the pet trade as “vivariums”. These normally consist of a glass front to enable easy observation of your pet, together with solid sides. The walls, roof and floor may be made from a range of different materials; most commonly either wood, plastic or glass.

Each type of snake vivarium has its strengths and weaknesses. Every snake owner has their preference, developed over years of snake care. However the beginner pet keeper often struggles to make an informed decision about the most appropriate snake vivarium for their needs.

The purpose of this article is therefore a simple one; we’ll be looking at the different types of snake vivariums currently on offer and aiming to help you make an informed decision about would suit your unique circumstances best.

Wooden Vivariums

Wooden vivariums are some of the cheapest and most reliable cages for snakes. They are typically available in a wide range of “standard” sizes, either flat-packed or pre-built. For anyone with some basic DIY skills, buying a flat-pack version is often worthwhile as they are simple to construct yet are typically easier to transport flat, as well as being cheaper.

Benefits :

Wooden vivariums are easily sourced from most specialist reptile shops. They are strong, versatile and reasonably priced. They can also look very smart too if you choose a model to suit the rest of your furniture. Being made of wood, drilling holes for adding electrics such as heaters and lights is typically very easy, and the wooden construction also means that wooden vivariums tend to hold their heat well. This is ideal if you live in a colder area as you will be able to keep your snake warmer with less heating.

Weaknesses :

Wooden vivariums, whilst popular, aren’t perfect. Firstly, wooden vivariums are typically quite heavy. This can make transporting them a challenge. It can also limit where you place your snake vivarium in the home, as weaker furniture may not survive under the weight of a wooden vivarium.

Snakes like fresh air and without it can suffer from respiratory problems. This is an important consideration with wooden vivariums, where ventilation can be poor. If selecting a wooden snake viv therefore ensure that you select one that comes with ventilation holes. Those models with variable ventilation are best and give you control over how much air is allowed into the cage.

One final point about wooden vivariums for reptiles is that over time they can warp and rot if kept overly damp. This means it is important to soak up any water spilled within the cage as soon as possible so that it does not seem into the timber and cause problems. As most snakes prefer a rather drier habitat this is unlikely to be the problem that it can be for lizard keepers.

Plastic Vivariums:

While wooden vivariums are the most common form of housing typically used for snakes, there are increasingly a number of plastic vivariums on the market. It should be noted that if you opt to examine this option you should try to ensure that you select one designed specifically for snakes as opposed to any other kind of pet. Doing so will ensure that ventilation holes are kept small, to prevent escape, while the overall dimensions will be long and low, allowing your snake to move around naturally.

Benefits:

There are a number of benefits to using plastic vivariums for snakes. Firstly they tend to be far lighter and stronger than wooden cages and so can be rather more practical to move around. You also won’t require such a sturdy stand, table or cabinet to place them on.

Weaknesses:

Despite all these benefits, plastic tanks for reptiles aren’t necessarily perfect. For one thing there are currently only a limited range of plastic vivariums on the market, so getting an appropriate size if you have specific requirements can be a real challenge.

Further problems can be experienced when trying to fit electrics to your plastic tank. This is because, depending on the design you have chosen, it may be necessary to either drill holes for electrical cables to poke through and/or to remove plugs from your heaters and lights in order to carefully feed the cables through the pre-drilled holes. This is contrast to wooden vivariums where fitting electrics is typically far simpler.

Lastly, due to their relative rarity, plastic vivariums can be considerably more expensive that a wooden viv of a similar size. Compare prices carefully before making a decision about whether or not the benefits of a plastic vivarium are worth the extra cost.

Glass Vivariums:

Increasingly popular over recent years have been the specially-designed glass vivariums for reptiles. These tanks are generally an all-glass design, with two hinged doors at the front that allow for easy access. These doors can be tremendously useful for routine maintenance and feeding, eliminating the need to lift lids or slide glass panels. This can also mean that in come designs it is possible to stack glass vivariums one ontop of another, making for a very space-efficient way to keep your snakes.

Benefits :

Possibly the biggest benefit of glass vivariums is just how smart they look. In most cases they are the most attractive and professional-looking form of housing possible. As well as looking smart they also provide excellent visibility. Unlike most wooden or plastic vivariums, with their glass viewing panels at the front, an all-glass vivarium provides visibility from all angles.

This can not only provide a unique viewpoint of your pet but also makes it easier to keep an eye on your pet and carry out health checks without needing to get your snake out.

Weaknesses:

For all their attractiveness, glass vivariums for snakes have a number of potential downsides. Firstly of course they are typically quite heavy and are fragile if dropped or knocked during transportation. Their all-glass construction can also make it hard to keep them warm in winter if you live in a cold country; the heat after all can travel across the glass surface quite easily.

Arguably the biggest weakness of glass vivariums for snakes is what a challenge it can be to fit electrics; after all one can hardly drill a hole in the side to fit an electric cable through. Most of the better manufacturers of glass vivariums try to make this as easy as possible by building holes into their designs specifically for cables, but just be certain you have all the necessary holes – and that they’re in the right place – before purchasing such a vivarium.

Converted Glass Tanks:

One final type of snake vivarium still seen in the pet trade from time to time and a converted glass aquarium. Essentially one can use an unwanted fish tank and then purchase a reptile-safe lid to put over the top and keep it secure. This is often a very cost effective way to house snakes in captivity though many people move away from the idea over time due to the impracticalities,

Benefits :

The main benefit of converting a glass tank is how readily available these are. Even in areas where very few reptile shops may be found, most people will still be able to lay their hands on an aquarium. Even better, buying second-hand can save a load of money and give you a suitable cage for minimal investment.

All you’ll need to do is to track down (or build) a suitable lid. These are generally orderable over the internet for a reasonable price.

Weaknesses :

Aquariums are, of course, tremendously heavy so some consideration must be given to exactly where your vivarium will dwell. However this is only a small weakness, typically overshadowed by the two rather larger issues at hand.

Firstly, all-glass aquariums like this for snakes can be very difficult to fit electrics into. They don’t after all, come with any holes. Some creativity may therefore be needed if you are to use an old aquarium as a reptile cage.

Secondly some people find that having to access their vivarium from above proves rather impractical. This limits where you can place the cage as you’ll need to be able to remove the lid for all routine maintenance.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as the best vivarium for snakes. Each snake keeper has their preference and it’s just a matter of considering which options are available in your local area and, further to the details given in this article, to decide on exactly which solution would be most appropriate for your needs.

Basic requirements for every vivarium :

1- Tank .

2- Environmental controls : - Heaters .

- Lighting .

-Humidity and misting system .

-Ventilations ,fans and openings .

3- Other equipments , supples and accessories .

4- Decoration materials .

1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 . ..