Terrarium in a Tank

Using a Fish Tank to Create a Unique Terrarium for Plants

I've been taking care of plants, animals and many combinations of the two for years. One of the things I enjoy the most about having an aquarium tank for a terrarium is the variety of things you can do with it.

The thing I enjoy with the tank for fish that I have used for plants and the toads that are in them is that I can keep changing the tank to suite the plants or animals that I want to put in them at any time. I made the terrarium almost a year ago, since then I have added more and different kids of plants and then a week ago I got to add some toads.

You can use any kind of aquarium for a project like this. It is up to you but I like a larger one like this 20 gallon tall tank. I used a few unique tricks to get the plants to incorporate the tallness of the tank.

To start something like this you need to find a tank. If you don't want to pay for a new one start searching garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores. We have been able to find many of the tanks we have at local Salvation Army and thrift stores.

We get them when they have no cracks, for a terrarium you should get one that does not have any cracks. When you get your tank you will be filling it with some gravel, dirt and peat moss. But first you need to get a few more things for the terrarium.

I have used a piece of wood for the tall object on the side that would give the tank it's use of tall space and as a climbing anchor for any climbing plants. You can use a like piece of wood or some other thing such as a piece of wrought iron, a ceramic piece such as a statue or garden decoration.

I used three pieces of tile for the tall plant box that is in the right hand side of the tank toward the back. I used a ceramic drill bit to drill two holes in each square and cable tied the three pieces together.

You can use any kind of ceramic tile, anything that you take a fancy to is usable. Any tile as long as it is stone, mason or any kind of ceramic is usable. I used three pieces that are a natural color and purchased them at a Menard's store near me. I had a drill and ceramic/glass drill bit already. I also picked up a pack of plastic cable ties from the electrical section of the store to connect the tiles together.