How to Build an Aquarium Enclosure

Designing an aquarium enclosure, often referred to as an aquarium habitat or terrarium, involves more than simply placing a few items in an aquarium and introducing a pet. For a healthy pet, enclosures must meet their basic needs and provide a stimulating environment. Planning and building an enclosure takes time an effort. A well-built enclosure will allow pets to grow and thrive.

Things You'll Need

  • Substrate material
  • Heat source
  • Light source
  • Rocks
  • Driftwood
  • Terrarium decorations
  • Water dish
  • Terrarium plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean and sanitize the aquarium. Use a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water to clean the aquarium and any non-organic additions. Rinse the aquarium and additional objects thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before building the enclosure.

    • 2

      Lay the substrate down on the bottom of the cage. Substrate needs to be gentle on reptile feet and non-toxic. Good examples of substrate materials are newspaper, brown paper, artificial turf and indoor/outdoor carpet. Avoid wood shavings, kitty litter and gravel, as they may be harmful to reptiles if ingested.

    • 3

      Position any temperature-controlling devices or light bulbs in the enclosure, following manufacturer instructions. Most reptiles require a warm enclosure with a scale of temperatures.

    • 4

      Place additional lighting, if needed. Reptiles require a combination of incandescent light for basking and ultraviolet light for general health. Different light types should overlap.

    • 5

      Position the large objects in the enclosure. Large objects include basking rocks, driftwood, branches, large water dishes and shelves. Objects should be secured with plastic-coated wire to prevent them from shifting during use.

    • 6

      Position the plants and small objects in the enclosure. Artificial plants have added durability, but reptiles may chew on them; real plants require added care but provide valuable humidity to reptiles.

    • 7

      Introduce the pet to the enclosure and secure the lid. Wire mesh lids provide air flow; good ventilation and humidity are vital to pet health. Check that the lid is completely secure and the pet cannot escape.