Sourcing Materials for your Hardscape and Background
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A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Safe and Sustainable Materials for Your Terrarium

Selecting the right materials for terrarium construction can be a challenging process. While the market offers specialized materials, they are often outdated or insufficient to meet the demands of modern terrarium-building techniques. This forces many enthusiasts to source materials themselves, which can be daunting as most materials don’t indicate their safety for terrarium inhabitants. To make the process easier, here’s a guide to choosing artificial and natural materials while ensuring the safety and functionality of your terrarium. Please understand there is no 100% safe method, these are just the things we do (and they have always worked so far!).
Artificial Materials
Artificial materials are often a necessity for creating terrarium structures, but sourcing them requires caution. The lack of clear safety indicators for terrarium animals means that you must conduct your own research and tests. Here are essential tips to guide you:
Check for Harmful Chemicals
Avoid materials containing pesticides, fungicides, or other harmful chemicals. These substances can leach into the environment over time and harm your animals and plants.
Waterproof Properties
Opt for materials explicitly labeled as waterproof. If this information isn’t provided, test the material by applying it to a small container, letting it dry, and checking for water resistance.
Smell Test
After confirming the material is waterproof, check for residual odors. Rinse it multiple times over several days and see if the smell persists. Avoid materials with lingering odors, as they may release harmful chemicals.
Sealing Non-Waterproof Materials
If a material isn’t waterproof, you can seal it with epoxy or acrylic paint. While not ideal, this can make some otherwise unsuitable materials safe for terrarium use.
Testing for Toxicity
Start by introducing a small colony of springtails and isopods to the material.
If these thrive, move on to placing snails.
Finally, test with tadpoles before using the material in a complete terrarium.
If you’ve done the prior tests properly, this gradual method ensures minimal risk to animals.
Check for Ingredient Changes
Even with previously used materials, verify that the formula hasn’t changed. Manufacturers may alter ingredients without notice, potentially introducing new risks.

Natural Materials
Natural materials bring an authentic and aesthetic touch to terrariums, but they also require careful selection and preparation to ensure safety and longevity. Ideally, everything you need can be sourced for a reasonable price from your local fish or reptile store. However, if you decide to collect materials directly from nature, here are some tips to avoid issues while respecting the environment.
Source Responsibly
When gathering materials from nature, remember that you’re directly impacting the environment. Every item you remove played a role in the ecosystem. For instance, moss that seems abundant may have taken decades to grow. Collect only small amounts, ideally to start your own cultivation at home. Here are other critical points to keep in mind:
Collect materials like wood, moss, and leaves from areas free of pesticides and pollutants.
Avoid collecting from roadsides or agricultural fields, as these areas are likely contaminated.
Be mindful of local regulations; some areas may prohibit the removal of natural materials.
Sterilization
Sterilizing natural materials ensures you’re not introducing pests or pathogens into your terrarium. Here’s how to prepare common materials:
Wood and Rocks: Bake them in an oven at low temperatures (around 100°C / 212°F) for an hour to eliminate unwanted organisms.
Leaves: Boil them briefly to remove parasites or residues.
For plants, pest removal is more complex but manageable with these steps:
Rinse Thoroughly: Start by rinsing the plants to remove surface pests and dirt.
Submerge in Water: Leave plants fully submerged in water for 1–2 days. Remove air pockets to ensure pests are either drowned or surface for easy removal.
Use CO₂: Alternatively, place plants in an airtight container filled with CO₂ (commonly used in aquariums). Ensure this is done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Quarantine: Keep plants in isolation for as long as possible before introducing them to the terrarium.
Durability
Not all natural materials are suitable for long-term use in terrariums. Assess their durability under humid conditions and ensure they can withstand the terrarium’s weight and moisture without breaking down.
Avoid Rot-Prone Materials
Certain woods, such as pine or cedar, contain harmful resins or decay rapidly in humid environments. Instead, opt for hardwoods like oak, maple, or manzanita. Ideally, collect wood that is already waterlogged near streams or submerged in water, as this tends to be well-prepared for humid terrarium conditions.
Test Compatibility
Before introducing natural materials into your terrarium, test them with small, less critical organisms like isopods or snails. These tests help confirm the material's safety for your primary terrarium inhabitants.
By following these guidelines, you can incorporate natural materials into your terrarium confidently, ensuring both safety and environmental responsibility.
