How to choose Vivariums and Tanks for Lizards and Snakes
…and turtles, and frogs, and fish, and…
There are aquariums, terrariums, paludariums, penguinariums, vivariums, insectariums, a formicarium (formicaria), and on and on. With so many “ariums,” as someone put it, it may be easy to think, “Which is what, now?” And you may be wondering why there are so many names for glass enclosures. Let us clear it up for you. We’ll cover a few basics and get to the common need-to-know:
A Vivarium is an area or enclosure utilized for keeping animals under seminatural conditions. In Latin it is “place of life.” An aquarium and a terrarium may be considered vivariums (or vivaria).
Take away: A vivarium is well suited as a habitat for an animal. When typing “Vivarium” into a search engine, you’ll see many terrariums instead. These seem to be interchangeable.
Animals that do well in a vivarium are numerous. Shallow water needs are great here, particularly for some frogs, salamanders, turtles, and others who do well in a bog-type environment. Bioactive substrate may also be scattered onto a portion of the floor of enclosures along with an area of water, ideal for amphibious animals. Water and filtration systems, specifically designed humidifiers or misting systems, along with decor such as plants and branches recreate natural living conditions.
*Any wiring or screening between the animal and the UVB, UVA full spectrum lighting reduces the emissions received. Possible bulb upgrade (i.e., 5.0 to 10.0 + UVB) or raised basking area with safe descension may be necessary, UVB bulbs’ emissions decline as it is. They need replaced around every 6 months – 1 yr. See manufacturer details on bulb, container, or website.
A Terrarium is often used for plants, yet they house lizards, frogs, snakes, insects, tiny, shallow-water fish, basically anything along these categories. They may be kept wet and humid or warm and dry depending on the species therein. The goal first and foremost, is the happiness and safety of the animal beyond aesthetic perfection. If natural plants are added to decorate these miniature worlds, be sure they are not toxic to the species housed within. If artificial plants are desired, we don’t want those becoming a snack.
Take away: A terrarium is often used for plants but works well for animals.
An Aquarium is… this one’s obvious. These definitely hold water. If you’re shopping for a fish home, be certain it is an aquarium. Not just any glass enclosure will do here.
Take away: An aquarium is for water dwellers and is designed with tempered glass and proper glue to withstand water weight.
Let’s get into the ins and outs of enclosures. Enclosures with doors on the side are very convenient. They make decorating, cleaning, and maintenance easier. These things may come with keys and screens that lock down. This is great for pet snakes and keeping kids or other pets out. In addition, creatures are less traumatized by someone reaching for them from the side rather than large hands coming down upon them from above. This scenario may particularly apply to those who have sadly been mistreated, abused, or are not calm due to a lack of handling.
If you’re someone who thinks your reptile is the cutest one on Earth – like me and mine, side doors are great to get in for a quick kiss or petting! Providing that a vivarium or terrarium is spacious for the species, it can be used as an enclosure for nearly any reptile as well as many pet insects, such as Tarantulas and Hissing Cockroaches. If you’re housing quick-moving insects or animals, an overhead access will keep them from exiting the side doors when opened. You will find purchasing options below that have both accesses. Keep fairness in mind when choosing enclosures by considering how large your animal(s) is, or will become, and how many hours daily they will be confined.
We have diligently selected items we believe will make wonderful homes and meet your needs. Tap on the links and you’ll be right there with the option to purchase or shop other products through the Amazon’s search engine:
SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT MURPH AND WHAT WE’RE DOING HERE!!
*When this post was created, Amazon offered images to their affiliate marketers (which LizardPlanet.com is no longer doing). Since Amazon no longer offers product images, where there were once images below, now only contain copy and paste links. It’s not attractive, but they have been left on this post for those just beginning the beautiful journey of reptile/human friendship. Viewing the products below by link pasting, may help people get an idea of what their animals need, and what suits them best.
The enclosures below have waterproof bottoms up to the horizontal line. This divide helps to prevent substrate from falling out and provides the ability to house many different species of animals and insects (not all together, of course).
Description: REPTI ZOO 34 Gallon Large Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank with Foam Backgrounds,Double Hinge Door with Screen Ventilation Reptile Terrarium 24″ x 18″ x 18″(Knock-Down)
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3NckwvP
Description: REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium, Double Hinge Door with Screen Ventilation Reptile Terrarium 36″ x 18″ x 18″ or 36″ x 18″ x 24″ or 24″x18″x36″(Knock-Down)
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/46Fl984:
This is the 36″x18″x24″ purchasing option. It’s basically a 65-gallon sized enclosure, which may help to put the size into perspective, although it is not designed for use as an aquarium. It currently has 842 global reviews, with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars (at the time of this posting). This product comes in 3 size options, so be certain the desired selection is highlighted prior to placing it in your cart. If you’re a review reader, a particular review of the 24x18x36 option, as if written by a chameleon named Karma (Karma Chameleon – ugh, anyone else hearing this ’80’s tune in their head now?) is a whole new way of writing a review. Karma’s mom posted photos of Karma inside the new cage. What a cutie! We recommend you check it out.
You’ll need a stand for that!!
Your back and knees will thank you for elevating your pet’s enclosure and your little friend will probably have a better view. You can build your own, utilize a sturdy table, or check these out below. HERE is a link which specifies the approximate weight of aquariums when filled with water. Something we must consider when selecting a stand is its weight capacity, whether your enclosure houses lizards or a hundred pounds of water with fish!
Description: REPTI ZOO Reptile Terrarium Cabinet, Reptile and Amphibian Terrarium Stand 36″ W x 18″ D x 30″ H
This item obviously is 36″ long, not wide, sometimes this mistake is seen in product specs. If a stand is larger than the size of an enclosure, it’s not a big deal, it can serve ‘double duty,’ a lamp or art piece can rest beside the tank.
In regard to lizards: It is recommended an adult Bearded Dragon be in an enclosure no less than a 75-gallon tank (approx. 284. liters), or dimensions of 48in. x 18in. x 24in. Think on that size in conjunction with the average size of an adult Beardie being around 3-4 inches wide, and 20 inches long (give or take a few). It’s important to think on an animal’s adult size and what size of space is fair or better. Remember their natural environments when decorating. Beardies live in arid environments, so do not give them a tropical atmosphere. In cases where a lizard simply doesn’t move around much, such as Murph, who’s more docile than most, he has a 48x18x18 inch (roughly 65 gallon equivalent/about 246 liters) enclosure, and he doesn’t even use it all. Lizards who are avid climbers, such as chameleons, should have a decently tall enclosure so they can climb branches and the like. Lizards such as bearded dragons don’t climb a lot, so a shorter cage but with more walking surface is great for them.
This is Murph in his enclosure. I have a link below to the exact model. However, I bought this for more than half of that from someone who’s lizard sadly passed. Perhaps keeping it for someone else was too painful or she needed the money. I sanitized it even though it appeared very clean.
Description: REPTI ZOO Full Tempered Glass Reptile Terrarium Knock-Down Reptile Tank 67 Gallon
This item also is an easy-assembly and break-down choice. There are two purchasing options. One is less expensive and has extra ventilation on the sides. Be sure to select the one you want.
You’ll need a stand for that one too!!
Description: REPTI ZOO Reptile Aquarium Terrarium Wooden Stand and Cabinet with Adjustable Shelf for 48L x 18W inch Amphibian/Fish Sea Salt Water Tank Terrarium(Cabinet Only)
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3t3bL0i
Description: Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Bio Deep 48Lx24Wx36H, Easy Assembly
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3uJF4pd
In doing the math, I (correctly or incorrectly) calculate this to be just under the equivalent of a 125=gallon sized enclosure. This item is tempered glass with a deep area below the doors. This is perfect for fish, crabs, turtles and more (animals do need various ways to exit water, even water-loving turtles can possibly drown if the water is deeper than half of their body’s width). The background on this makes this enclosure look huge! This is relatively tall, great for climbers.
There’s a stand for that one too!
GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/REPTI-ZOO-Terrarium-Accessories-Organization/dp/B0B5RFF9FP?crid=VQU5Y43NR8NB&keywords=REPTI%2BZOO%2BStorage%2BCabinet%2BTerrarium%2BStand%2B48%E2%80%B3%2Bx%2B24%E2%80%B3%2Bx%2B30%E2%80%B3%2Bfor%2BLarge%2BWide%2BReptile%2BTanks%2C%2B7%2BShelves%2Bfor%2BReptile%2BAccessories%2BStorage%2BExtra%2BHoles%2Bfor%2BWire%2BOrganization&qid=1701824365&sprefix=repti%2Bzoo%2Bstorage%2Bcabinet%2Bterrarium%2Bstand%2B48%2Bx%2B24%2Bx%2B30%2Bfor%2Blarge%2Bwide%2Breptile%2Btanks%2C%2B7%2Bshelves%2Bfor%2Breptile%2Baccessories%2Bstorage%2Bextra%2Bholes%2Bfor%2Bwire%2Borganization%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=lp11oe20-20&linkId=feec966e9cf8befecb6977cb526a13f4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Description: REPTI ZOO Storage Cabinet Terrarium Stand 48″ x 24″ x 30″ for 30″ Aquarium Tanks Reptile Terrariums, 6 Large Storage Shelves for Accessories Organization, Extra Holes for Wire Pass
We’re not going to leave out our fishy friends! Here are some items for them:
Description: Tetra Aquatic Turtle Deluxe Kit 20 Gallons, aquarium With Filter And Heating Lamps, 30 IN (NV33230)
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3NgwZ1E
At 33.93″ L x !5.81″ W, this will fit atop the Repti Zoo 36x18x24 stand, with a bit of wiggle room.
And because those intelligent Betta fish are kept in insanely cruel, tiny bowls at pet stores, we have something for them. Bettas should never be in anything less than a 5-gallon tank. So let’s give them 10 and throw in some party lights – their lives just got better!
Description: Glofish 10 Gallon Aquarium Fish Tank Kits, Includes LED Lighting and Décor (Amazon Exclusive)
They make a stand for that!!
Description: Finomenal Aquarium Stand with Solid Wood Frame and no Flimsy Particle Board. Supports up to 20 Gallon Aquarium Stand. Great for Your 10 Gallon Aquarium Stand Needs
GET IT HERE: https://amzn.to/46P9WBM (THERE ARE DIFFENT COLORS AVAILABLE)
Let’s take a moment to discuss what to do about extremely large lizards such as Iguanas and monitors. A Green Iguana will grow to 5-7′ (or up to a little more than 2.1 m). It is suggested one of these gorgeous beasts be in an enclosure no less than 12′ l x 8′ w (or approx. 3.7m x 2.4m). Even that seems cruel for animals longer than the family dog who enjoy walking around the house. For these beings, you could build your own large enclosure or give them their own room in your home, but be sure to provide proper heating and lighting and let them come out and be part of the family every day. If wood is used for a custom enclosure, be sure it is not treated with chemicals. Smooth wood will not result in splinters. Every creature appreciates something soft – along with a blanket to lay on, some well-placed driftwood or rough rocks may assist with shedding as well as add more climbing features. An option for an extremely large enclosures is to visit a specialty shop that can customize a perfect habitat. Animals enjoy a view. These intelligent animals often like to look out of windows, so if able, place your enclosure at a window, or if you have a large reptile, make sure they have the option to look out safely.
We found the following websites to be very informative and helpful in our research.:
https://oddlycutepets.com/reptile-tank-vs-fish-tank/
Have you considered having your own magical, mini-Earth, a mostly self-sustained ecosystem to enjoy every day of the year? Vivariums or terrariums offer big beauty possibilities in compact spaces with or without animals. You may want one after seeing what you can do at this website: https://www.paludariums.net/ It offers wonderful ideas for how to structure and decorate your poludarium (or terrarium, vivarium, or whatever), and which plants and animals to have. Not only these, but Henry explains the “why” in much of these choices! To design a tiny world of your own may wind up being quite a conversation piece! These creations really do become “living art!”
*Incidentally, did you know you can enjoy the cute, tiny faces of your own axolotl everyday? Check out this book: https://amzn.to/3Rt6Qin
A helpful tip: Many people better understand tank dimensions by describing them as if they held water. For example, if you told someone you were selling a 24″ x 12″ x 20″ tank, well, right off the bat, the potential buyer may not visualize that well. But if you say the enclosure is a 25-gallon sized tank, that may spark instant understanding. And if this person knows they need a minimum 55-gallon tank in size, this makes things easier. and quicker for everyone. Here is a sight that can help translate dimensions into their gallon holding capacity: https://ccaqua.com/ptoducts/aquarium-sizes-and-weights/
*UPDATE: We are no longer participating in Amazon’s affiliate marketing program, nor receiving commissions from these products, but have left these items and this post public in hopes that it will assist you in selecting the perfect enclosure for your reptilian, amphibious, or fishy friend.
“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!”
♡Murph & Dawn
LizardPlanet.com 
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