Building a CP Vivarium

[Agierys]

Hello everyone

I am doing some research because I want to build a vivarium for my nepenthes (with a living wall for some pings as well).

My question is what is the best material for making a false bottom? It appears that for many vivariums lecca or hydroton is used but I know clay isn't the best because it can build up minerals over time. I saw others use horticultural charcoal, but in my area, it is quite an expense substrate considering I need about 18 liters of the stuff. Could maybe use a 50/50 mix of lava rock and charcoal?

This is my first time so any suggestions // amazon links for materials are much appreciated!

 

[Lloyd Gordon]

Not sure if Pings and Neps would mix well in a terrarium. Will the Neps be in pots?

 

[Agierys]

Not sure if Pings and Neps would mix well in a terrarium. Will the Neps be in pots?

yes, either that or in cork outcrops on the back wall

 

[MimiStew24]

yes, either that or in cork outcrops on the back wall

I agree with Lloyd
I would keep Neps out of a planted terria and in pots. Easier to maintain especially with root rot, erosion, and fungus etc and soil easier to manage in pots, especially for mature Neps root system won’t tolerate the deepness of soil in terria. My terria only about 3 or so inches deep from top to bottom when doors open.
I keep my Neps in pots in a terria with fan for humidity and clean air and disease free plants.
and drainage water at bottom works well.

 

[peggylikesplants]

yes, either that or in cork outcrops on the back wall

I think mounting the nepenthes like that could work really well - if you're doing a foam background, you could easily incorporate some kind of planter with drainage. When I built my crested gecko vivarium, I got one of these overpriced cork planters but never ended up using it.

 

[peggylikesplants]

Hello everyone

I am doing some research because I want to build a vivarium for my nepenthes (with a living wall for some pings as well).

My question is what is the best material for making a false bottom? It appears that for many vivariums lecca or hydroton is used but I know clay isn't the best because it can build up minerals over time. I saw others use horticultural charcoal, but in my area, it is quite an expense substrate considering I need about 18 liters of the stuff. Could maybe use a 50/50 mix of lava rock and charcoal?

This is my first time so any suggestions // amazon links for materials are much appreciated!

To answer this question: I'd say to go with lava rock! That's what I use most of the time when I make mini-terrariums with CPs.

 

[Agierys]

I think mounting the nepenthes like that could work really well - if you're doing a foam background, you could easily incorporate some kind of planter with drainage. When I built my crested gecko vivarium, I got one of these overpriced cork planters but never ended up using it.

This was exactly what I was thinking!

Maybe ill just make the cork our crops big enough to put pots in there.... Just incase the neps get fussy I can take them out!

 

[peggylikesplants]

That definitely works! I foamed some net pots right into the wall, and could easily have nested another net pot inside for removal instead of putting the plants directly in there.

 

[Agierys]

I agree with Lloyd
I would keep Neps out of a planted terria and in pots. Easier to maintain especially with root rot, erosion, and fungus etc and soil easier to manage in pots, especially for mature Neps root system won’t tolerate the deepness of soil in terria. My terria only about 3 or so inches deep from top to bottom when doors open.
I keep my Neps in pots in a terria with fan for humidity and clean air and disease free plants.
and drainage water at bottom works well. View attachment 13339

I believe have the same exo-terra tank, do you use the same screen top it came with? Or does the humidity drop too much?

 

[ekmek]

ooo a vivarium! will there be livestock?

 

[Agierys]

ooo a vivarium! will there be livestock?

livestock as in cleaners, or livestock as in a lil froggo?

 

[MimiStew24]

I believe have the same exo-terra tank, do you use the same screen top it came with? Or does the humidity drop too much?

humidity drops too much
I use peice of pexi glass (until I cAn get glass) for the top and my lights sit on top of glass.
I leave slight gap at back of the terria and then put seran wrap on both sides to keep humidity good! I also have fan running 24/7. Very important.