Additional terrarium tips:

There will be a lot of reptile keepers that suggest a specific model of spray foam or silicone glue, but in reality most of them may work properly—just make sure they do not have any mold inhibitors and that the spray foam is fully sealed by the silicone.

Level Up with Plants:

The most recommendable real plants, in my opinion, to place in your bioactive terrarium would be the following:

Pothos Plants

Often called the armored plant”—are highly resilient, fast-growing, and thrive in a wide range of terrarium conditions.

Brazilwood (Palo de Brasil)

Grows steadily, provides sturdy vertical surfaces perfect for wall-climbing geckos, and adapts well to terrarium conditions.

Let’s build a living waterfall

Waterfall!

This is a diagram of the most efficient and discreet built-in waterfall system that you can make.

Our built Waterfall

This is one of my built-in waterfall systems.

Inside the System

Let´s work with remains!

First Step

When working with spray foam backgrounds, cover about half of a plastic pot with foam and let it fully cure. Add silicone and press in substrate for a natural look. Cut a small drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

How to Make Naturalistic Terrarium Pots

Second Step

Glue it securely onto the terrarium background or side, fill it with soil, and add your plant. Water it regularly, so it thrives!

Build a Paludarium
1. Structure first
Start with a solid glass tank with a tight lid so humidity stays in. Think in layers: bottom for water, middle for land, top for air.

2. Drainage and bottom
Put sand or lava rocks at the bottom, and add water.

3. Water and flow
Add a small filter and water pump so water never sits still. Even a gentle trickle or mini waterfall is enough. Stagnant water eventually kills the ecosystem.

4. Plants and life last
Add hardy plants like pothos, moss, and ferns, then let everything stabilize for a few weeks before animals, you can also add AquaSafe, if you are using tap water. 

Best Paludarium Water Species

Betta Fish

Neon Tetra

Neocaridina davidi

zebra nerite snail