Quick, Cheap, Easy Terrarium/Vivarium

**John** · August 24th, 2009

A terrarium for less than $10 US? Yep. Try even less than that if you make a few. Provided you are not looking for a display terrarium, these are straightforward to make and easy to clean, light and not prone to breaking like glass. I have been making these for nearly 2 years to keep salamanders and frogs (mainly toads). I came up with this on my own but I apologise for any similarity to other people's ideas - call it convergent evolution.

Here's how it's made (you can see finished examples at the bottom of this post). The one I'm about to show you is designed for a lighting fixture to rest on top of it, so I'm using metal mesh as opposed to plastic mesh.

What you'll need:

Aluminium mesh sold for window frames to keep insects out when the window is open - you can use other alternatives. I use the plastic variety for terrariums without a light fixture on top - plastic will melt under the heat of the light. You can buy this at a hardware shop - I got mine at Home Depot in the US - it's quite cheap (less than $10) for a roll and if you make multiple terrariums with it then it is almost pennies.
A 55L / 58 quart storage box sold by Walmart in the US, but you can use any other clip on alternative you can find, or any size - I have several smaller versions myself. These range from US $2 to $10, depending on the size.
A hot glue gun, available from hobby shops - these cost only a few $$$ from hobby lobby. Use the hotter variant of glue - it's designed for bonding plastic and metal. In my experience this glue is safe for terrarium lids - obviously I don't rub the animals in it but it seems to be pretty harmless.
Hot glue for the gun.
A sharp craft knife or "box cutters" as they call them in the US.

Since I'm going to be putting a light on top of this terrarium I need to know how big it is. Here's the light:

And here's the box with the outline of the light base drawn on it (note I did this at one end - I only intend to cut part of the lid out and by having the light/heat source at one end I can create a gradient in light and heat in the terrarium):

Here's the label on the box:

I then use the craft knife to cut out a square of the lid, about an inch (2.5 cm) larger than the diameter of the light outline. I also cut out the light hole - this way I can keep this piece of plastic and put it around the light if I want to keep some heat in temporarily or reduce ventilation at some point. Note how it's not very straight cutting - doesn't have to be, it works:

Here's a photo of some of the aluminium mesh I am going to use:

Here's the lid without the square of plastic, which I will cover with the mesh:

I cut a piece of mesh (you can use scissors on this metal mesh - it's very easy to cut) and glue it on:

Note that I glue on the outside of the lid. The glue cools very quickly - in a few minutes it's ready for use. I rinse the glued area with water after the glue has set, in case there is any chemical residue that will come off easily.

And here's the finished terrarium:

There's actually a smaller version inside this big version (no reason, just saving space). Young toads live in there.

Here's one with adult toads of another species that don't need heat/light where I live, so I used plastic mesh instead from the same source:

And here's one for young tree frogs - notice how I cut out the whole inside part of the lid:

Not the prettiest thing but very functional and cheap too!

**John** · August 24th, 2009

Lastly, I would advise you to keep the inset that you cut out - it's handy for stopping fruit flies escaping, since they can get through even this tiny gauge of mesh.

**InfInIty13X** · August 24th, 2009

+1

I like that. The idea can be adapted for a smaller container if need be.

**Ebony** · August 24th, 2009

John, thats great, It would work for a lot of kept pets/insect. It would definately work for Locust breeding and i've got alot about to hatch and was wondering where I was going to put the babies as im using all my spare tanks. Thanks for that, you saved me some money.

**John** · August 24th, 2009

Actually I keep feeder crickets in a small version while gutloading them and waiting to use them as food.

**SludgeMunkey** · August 24th, 2009

Brilliant! I use a similar version, however I use that plastic needle point sheeting instead of window screen. For my fruit fly cultures and critters that eat them, I use some of that see-through nylon cloth. It is actually 150 micron mesh, so it makes good brine shrimp nets too!

**Jacob** · August 24th, 2009

Thanks so much John, This is totally going to help me! I'm excited because i can build this instead of going out and getting A 200 Dollar Terrarium/Vivarium for My Frog/Toad ( Even though i don't have one, Yet..) Thanks a bunch me and my parents will probably build this maybe next week. By the way i am probably one of the youngest Frog/Toad lovers. I'm only 12 Years old so... This is also my first post

**Jacob** · August 24th, 2009

One more Question! Would i be able to keep a Pacman Frog inside of this Home-made tank, Because thats what i plan on getting.

**John** · August 24th, 2009

Originally Posted by Jacob

One more Question! Would i be able to keep a Pacman Frog inside of this Home-made tank, Because thats what i plan on getting.

Yes but you need to heat Pacman frog vivaria. A note on your age - you lied about your age when you registered here. Please have your parents email me immediately with permission for you to be here - It is against Canadian law for you to be using this forum without me receiving written permission from your parents. Thank you.

**Jacob** · August 24th, 2009

What? Are you serious? I didn't realise.. I feel bad. Ill try to get my parents to send you E-Mail or else im outta here.

Im sorry..

**Username** · August 24th, 2009

No way, this idea is sick! I'm definetly going to have to work on this this week, Thanks John this helps so much! Sick!

**Username** · August 24th, 2009

Hey John, Would a UV Bulb work enough for heating up this tank or would a Heating pad work better, And would a Pacman frog Be able to live its Life Potential In this tank? Thanks for the help.

**John** · August 24th, 2009

Don't use a UV bulb. This is a frog not a reptile.

Heat pads in general are not advisable for frogs.

**Username** · August 24th, 2009

Im planning on a Pacman Frog, What should i use for Heating? Is there any certain Bulb or do i need a total light in General, I really have to know this stuff. Thanks John.

**Username** · August 24th, 2009

Sorry for bothering all of you, Im just a newcomer.. I was reading what Bulb i would need And it said that a Red or Purple Nocturnal Bulb would work and it would have to be 40 Watts Or under, Would this actually work, or..

**John** · August 24th, 2009

Please create your own thread instead of hijacking another one.

**Kurt** · August 24th, 2009

I have been using 5 minute epoxy for this. Been doing this for years, never once did I consider writing about it. Never thought it was a big deal, but I can see by the reaction here that it is.
I have built a few enclosures like this and my cricket barrel is a half trash barrel with holes in the lid and sides that are covered in metal screen mesh. Crickets can chew through nylon mesh. I recycle the mesh that comes on the cases of crickets I buy.

**Kurt** · August 24th, 2009

Originally Posted by SludgeMunkey

For my fruit fly cultures and critters that eat them, I use some of that see-through nylon cloth. It is actually 150 micron mesh, so it makes good brine shrimp nets too!

Where do you get that?

**SludgeMunkey** · August 25th, 2009

Originally Posted by Kurt

Where do you get that?

Got it a Wal-Mart. It was a buck a yard, so I bought the whole roll.

**Kurt** · August 25th, 2009

I guess I am going to have to step foot in a place I rather not support at all.

Quick, Cheap, Easy Terrarium/Vivarium

Quick, Cheap, Easy Terrarium/Vivarium

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