How to choose the right terrarium and accessories?

To create comfortable conditions for your pet, you need to figure out how to choose a terrarium and accessories.

This is a home for a reptile and its whole world, it should have been comfortable inside. Conditions should be close to natural.

Why choosing a terrarium is so important

Reptiles and amphibians are quite whimsical creatures. Many domestic species live in countries where the climate is radically different from the Russian one. These are inhabitants of deserts, reservoirs, wet jungles.

It is important to create comfortable conditions in which the reptile could live normally. If you do not do this, you may encounter the following situations:

• The development of diseases.
• Slow growth.
• Refusal to procreate.

The pet will become depressed or too aggressive. There is a possibility of death.

Our company supplies various types of terrariums, the necessary equipment for them. Consider what may be required, what details to pay attention to.

Material and dimensions

The first thing to look at is the material from which the terrarium was made.

• Glass. Differs in the high durability, durability. Has good optical properties, transparency. Gives an overview of the reptile, easy to clean even with special disinfection compounds. Glass models are often chosen for keeping reptiles at home.
• aluminum mesh. The design does not interfere with the penetration of ultraviolet rays. Unrestricted airflow ensures optimum ventilation while minimizing odors and mold growth. Suitable for outdoor use in summer.
• Plastic. Cheap, lightweight material with poor optical properties. Its service life is less than that of similar glass models. Usually containers are made from this material for temporary keeping or breeding of reptiles.
• Plexiglas. Light weight, easy to handle. However, it is easily scratched, cloudy, distorted when heated.

Form

All models are divided into vertical and horizontal. The former are suitable for species that live on trees, on rocky cliffs, rocks, and in bushes.

Horizontal cubic options are chosen for those who are used to moving on land or living in water. Inside you can install everything you need.

 

 

 

Lamp Selection

For many species, you need to maintain the correct mode of light and shadow. In Russia, the length of the daylight hours varies depending on the time of year. Therefore, many reptiles require special conditions.

Lamps are responsible for lighting, as well as for primary heating. They replace the sun, to which animals are very attached. Activity, health, ability to reproduce, assimilation of vitamins depend on lighting.

You can install two options for lamps at once:

• Luminescent. They are responsible for the light, help to develop the correct daily routine.
• Incandescent lamps. Create temperature zones in the terrarium.

Models differ in many parameters – from power to light temperature. Often an element with a mirror coating is installed inside. It helps to create a precisely directed flow of heat and light.

The color of the bulb may also change. Main options:

• Blue. This is a night version, imitates moonlight. It emits little heat – this corresponds to the night temperature in the wild.
• Red. They have high heat dissipation. Does not disturb the normal daily cycles of the animal. Can be used both at night and during the day.

Additional heat sources

The question of choosing the right temperature is as individual as the size. Inside the terrarium, not only lamps are installed, but also other sources of heating.

To constantly monitor the temperature, it is worth mounting two accurate thermometers – they will give the necessary information. Focusing on the indicators, you can quickly change the level of heating.

Pay attention to three sources of heat:

• Thermal mats. The most comfortable. Can be used under the bottom of the terrarium or mounted on its walls. They provide uniform and safe heating of the required area.
• Thermal cables. There are waterproof models. It can be used both inside, burying in the ground, and outside the terrarium. Most often used to warm up several volumes at once.
• Thermostone. Many reptiles love to bask in the sun. Especially for this they climb on the rocks. The temperature is not the highest, you won’t get burned, but at the same time the reptile will warm up.

Humidity Accessories

While some reptiles are accustomed to arid deserts, others live in humid places. But even if you are breeding heat-loving species, the humidity level should be regulated.

To understand how comfortable it is inside, you need to install a hygrometer. It provides the most accurate determination of the humidity level. We recommend installing it in the same place as the thermometer, which determines the background temperature. Away from heating elements. This will help you immediately get all the key indicators of keeping a pet.

The standard method of creating humidity is to install a reservoir and drinkers. Under conditions of liquid evaporation, a certain level of humidity is gradually formed. Also use automatic or manual sprayers.

 

 

 

But for some animals, this is not enough. Therefore, it is best to install a few additional accessories:

• Automatic rainfall system. The most necessary thing in any tropical terrarium. Automatically sprays water according to the set parameters. It has a separate water tank, which is placed in a pedestal under the terrarium or above it.
• Fog generator. Usually placed in water bodies, creates a cloud of small drops. It turns on periodically – this is enough to maintain the humidity at a given level.
• Waterfalls or drip systems. Create a cascade of flowing water. Humidity does not increase as much as other sprinklers. They are suitable for those species who do not drink standing water.

To choose the right terrarium and accessories for it, we must not forget about humidity. Control it, keep it at the level set for a particular species.

Substrate

Compliance with sanitary standards significantly affects the degree of comfort of the pet. Use only natural natural substrates. They differ in material, texture, stiffness, level of liquid absorption. Common materials include:

• Sand. Safe – no sharp elements. It is used in terrariums with a dry desert climate.
• Coconut crumb. When cooking, it is soaked in water, swells. It holds moisture well. It is used only as a bottom layer for multi-layer soil. Since it has long fibers, which are not desirable to affect digestion when swallowed. This is an option for reptiles and amphibians living in humid climates. Moisture stays inside for a long time.
• Wood bark. It comes in different types. Mostly from pine (pine, fir) – for a humid and semi-humid environment. From beech – for dry and semi-dry terrariums. From poplar – a very soft woody soil, most often used to keep snakes. He does not dust, does not grow moldy. Well stimulates digging in reptiles.
• Gravel. Very practical, it is often used in paludariums, in the aquatic part of the terrarium. It is a versatile material that can be easily washed.
• Sphagnum. This is a moss that is suitable for creating swampy places and high humidity. Looks nice and safe.
• Soil mix. Specially selected, processed. It is laid as the lower part of the soil layer.

How to create proper ventilation

It is important to ensure a constant supply of fresh air. Therefore, the terrarium must be chosen with a proven ventilation system. There is a detailed video on our YouTube channel where we check the ventilation of terrariums of different brands.

Proper ventilation is important for several reasons:

• The appearance of condensate is excluded.
• There is no risk of fungal growth.
• Glasses do not sweat.
• The humidity level remains stable.

Which brand to choose

There are many brands that make quality terrariums and accessories for them. Among the popular:

• Exo Terra. The highest build quality and amazing durability. They produce glass and mesh options of different sizes. Suitable for keeping many types of animals: from frogs to iguanas. The terrariums are delivered already prepared for installation of all additional equipment and accessories.
• Repti Planet. Produced in the Czech Republic. There are options for arboreal and terrestrial animals.
• NomoyPet. The company supplies various glass terrariums. The product is easy to care for and durable.

 

 

 

Features of installing a terrarium indoors

When choosing, you should also understand where you will install the terrarium.

It is important to remember that he himself creates an elevated temperature. The surface on which the terrarium is placed must be immune to this factor.

For constant observation of the animal, it is better to choose dark places, then create high-quality artificial lighting in them. This makes it easier to regulate daylight hours and the microclimate.

Do not set up a home for your pet near radiators and heaters. They are sources of unstable temperature and humidity. Avoid placing in direct sunlight as it may cause overheating. You should beware of drafts, because placement near the aisles, open windows is excluded.

The employees of our store will answer all questions regarding the choice of a place to accommodate the animal. They will pick up additional accessories, feed and much more.

We will answer in detail questions about how to keep a skink at home, what to feed and how to care for.

Let’s talk about how to create comfortable conditions for a reptile and organize proper care.

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