Q&A for How to Make a Terrarium

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  • Question
    How do you make a homemade terrarium?
    Joy Cho
    Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
    Joy Cho is the Founder and Creative Director of the lifestyle brand and design studio, Oh Joy!, founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, California. She has authored six books and consulted for creative businesses around the world. Joy has lectured on business, leadership, and entrepreneurship at conferences and companies such as AltSummit, Pinterest, Target, and Hallmark, while her home and studio have been featured in magazines such as House Beautiful, Parents, and Domino. She has also been named one of Time's 30 Most Influential People on the Internet multiple times and has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 14 million followers.
    Designer & Style Expert, Oh Joy!
    Expert Answer
    Small terrariums are cheaper and lower commitment. Short, wide containers with flat bottoms work great, especially with clear glass.
  • Question
    Do charcoal and activated charcoal work the same way?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Why would I use activated charcoal instead of bark?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Where do you get activated charcoal?
    Community Answer
    You can find it in local drugstores or wellness stores as well as online retailers like Amazon.
  • Question
    Can I use a plastic fish tank for a terrarium?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but you might have to alter many things like the lighting inside the tank, etc.
  • Question
    Can I use bark instead of charcoal?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Do I have to add the moss and/or charcoal?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Plants consume oxygen during low light periods. How would that affect my terrarium?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Will activated carbon work just as well as activated charcoal?
    Community Answer
    Activated charcoal and activated carbon are the same thing, so it would not matter.
  • Question
    Is charcoal from the fireplace okay to use?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Do I have to use activated charcoal when making a terrarium?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Activated charcoal is important to use to keep your terrarium clean and fresh and your water filtered.
  • Question
    Can I use java moss instead of sheet moss?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but I would still recommend sheet moss instead of or in addition to the java moss.
  • Question
    Can I put garden lizards in my terrarium?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How often should I fertilize my succulents?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What other kinds of terrariums are there?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can you add a butterfly to the terrarium?
    Community Answer
    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.
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