Q&A for How to Make a Terrarium

Small terrariums are cheaper and lower commitment. Short, wide containers with flat bottoms work great, especially with clear glass.

No. "Activated charcoal," also known as "activated carbon," is specially designed to have more surface area and be much more absorbent. It is often used for filtering or medicinal purposes.

The charcoal or activated carbon filters the water as it passes through it to the bottom of the container. If you do not use charcoal or activated carbon, your plants can easily develop root rot. Bark can be used for decoration, but not for filtering.

You can find it in local drugstores or wellness stores as well as online retailers like Amazon.

Yes, you can, but you might have to alter many things like the lighting inside the tank, etc.

It must be activated charcoal. The activated carbon will filter the water, keeping the terrarium fresh and the water clean. Although, you can use bark for decoration, and even plant matter for fungus to grow on.

No and yes. Mosses act like sponges to retain water. An open terrarium might need it as bare soil will lose water faster without moss. Don't fear the charcoal (it's just partly burnt wood). You might have to toss the terrarium quite soon after assembling without it.

Sure, almost all organisms use oxygen, but green plants generate oxygen during photosynthesis. The fact that your terrarium plants don't generate O2 during low light or darkness is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Activated charcoal and activated carbon are the same thing, so it would not matter.

No, since there might be germs from the fireplace on it, or your little reptile might choke on a piece of coal. You could buy more suitable stones from a pet supply store.

Yes. Activated charcoal is important to use to keep your terrarium clean and fresh and your water filtered.

Yes, but I would still recommend sheet moss instead of or in addition to the java moss.

It doesn't hurt to do so, but make sure your terrarium isn't airtight and there is nothing your garden that the lizard will choke on. You would have to feed it daily and water your plants in your container and make sure no diseases spread.

While you can fertilize your succulents as often as once a month, it is better to do it less often, like once every 2 months would do fine.

There are two types of terrarium. Open: which don't have a lid. And closed: which are closed. Open terrariums are more work and you have to water them every now and then. Closed-top terrariums and in my opinion, easier as once sealed, the water keeps circulating like a mini ecosystem and waters itself. But really, it is your choice as both of the and results are more-or-less beautiful.

Feel free add a fake butterfly for decoration, but it's probably not a good idea to put an a live butterfly in your terrarium because it will not provide ample space for a flying insect. However, you can put caterpillars in your terrarium if it is large and if you give them plants that will be part of their diet. This type of terrarium must be large and have airflow for the caterpillars to breathe, so it should be the type that is enclosed in a glass jar. When it turns into a butterfly, be sure to let it outside so it can fly free.