What material should a terrarium be made of?

The three common enclosure materials are glass, PVC, and acrylic. Glass holds humidity well and resists scratching but is heavy and a poor heat insulator. PVC enclosures insulate heat efficiently and are lightweight, which suits enclosures that need a stable warm gradient. Acrylic is the lightest option and very clear, but scratches more easily than glass. The right material depends on the humidity and temperature range the enclosure needs to hold, not on appearance alone.

How much ventilation does an enclosure need?

Ventilation needs scale with how much humidity the enclosure is meant to hold. A low-humidity, dry setup needs generous cross-ventilation — mesh panels or vents on two or more sides — to prevent stagnant air. A high-humidity setup needs more limited ventilation to retain moisture, but should never be fully sealed, since stagnant, unventilated air encourages mould and bacterial growth regardless of humidity target.

Should an enclosure be taller or wider?

This depends entirely on what the enclosure will house — arboreal setups generally benefit from vertical height and climbing structure, while terrestrial or fossorial setups benefit from floor space and substrate depth. As a general rule, more usable floor space is safer to default to when in doubt, since it is easier to add height with decor later than to widen a fixed enclosure.

How do I clean a new enclosure before first use?

Rinse a new enclosure with warm water only — no soap or detergent, since residue can be harmful. Wipe down all interior surfaces, let it air-dry completely, and inspect all seals, mesh panels, and door mechanisms for defects before adding substrate or decor. This is also the right time to test that any heating or lighting equipment fits and operates correctly before the enclosure is occupied.

— Setup · Updated July 2026

Enclosure setup basics.

What to consider before you buy or build a terrarium — material, size, and ventilation, explained in general terms that apply across enclosure types.

7 min read·General husbandry

Choosing enclosure material

Glass, PVC, and acrylic each behave differently once you add heat, humidity, and time. Glass is the most common choice because it is easy to clean, resists scratching, and holds humidity well, but it is heavy and conducts heat away from the enclosure quickly, which matters if you are running a heat source. PVC panels insulate far better — ambient temperature inside stays more stable — and are much lighter, which is useful for larger builds. Acrylic sits between the two: light and very clear, but it scratches more easily over years of cleaning and handling.

None of these is universally “correct” — the right choice follows from the temperature and humidity range the enclosure needs to hold, and how often you plan to move or clean it.

Sizing and floor space

Bigger is not automatically better — an oversized enclosure can make it harder to maintain a stable temperature gradient or humidity gradient, and can leave an occupant feeling exposed. As a starting principle, prioritise floor space over height unless you specifically need vertical climbing room, and always leave enough open floor area for a proper temperature or humidity gradient — a single temperature zone across the whole enclosure gives no way to self-regulate.

Ventilation

Every enclosure needs airflow, even a high-humidity one. Stagnant air is a common cause of mould and bacterial buildup regardless of whether the target humidity is high or low. Cross-ventilation — vents or mesh on at least two sides — is a safe default. If you need to retain more moisture, reduce vent size rather than sealing vents shut entirely.

Before first use

Rinse with warm water only — no soap or detergent residue. Check every seal, hinge, and mesh panel for defects. Test any heating or lighting equipment for at least a full day before adding substrate, decor, or an occupant, so you can confirm the temperature gradient is stable before it matters.