This Twin Oaks terrarium measures 48" wide by 24" deep by 54" high and features sliding front doors.
With the terrarium laying on it's back, the first step is to place the pieces of wood in their appropriate positions. Cypress was used here as the woo...
The tubing for the water trickles is then set in place under the wood.
The main 1/2" line from the pump is separated into longer, multiple 1/4" lines using a splitter typically used for drip irrigation purposes. Excess tu...
100% silicone, black in color, is used in several steps. Be sure to use black instead of clear as the clear will tend to turn white after time and bec...
The silicone is used to coat the sides of the tank to hide the foam.
Use a drywall spatula to apply a coat that extends at least 4"-6" beyond the level of the wood.
Triple expanding spray foam such as 'Great Stuff' is used to fill in between the wood pieces. Work in shallow layers allowing 24 hours to cure between...
Plastic baskets are strategically placed to allow for easier planting of larger specimen plants. The foam is filled in around them.
Once the foam has fully cured, features such as caves can be carved out using a serrated knife.
The black silicone is then smeared onto the foam to adhere dried Co-Co Bedding to hide the foam. Work in small areas at a time as the silicone will sk...
The dried Co-Co Bedding is them packed onto the wet silicone. Apply it liberally as the excess will be removed later.
Apply the Co-Co Bedding layer to the low areas first, working up into the higher areas.
Continue the process until all of the foam has been covered. It is not necessary to coat the inside of the baskets.
Once this layer has cured for at least 24 hours the tank is stood upright and the excess Co-Co bedding can be gently vacuumed off. Any areas missed ca...
Here you can see the importance of leaving a wide margin when applying the silicone to the sides.
Using a razor blade, the excess silicone is scraped off the sides. Start by scoring along the edge of the background and then work the blade in along ...
Inside view of the finished edge.
The view from outside. None of the foam is visible.
The excess tubing can now be trimmed flush with the background.
The bottom of the tank is filled with water and the water system tested. Note what areas receive more water than others. This is important when planti...
A Habi-Scape cave is used to conceal the pump. Small holes are drilled near the top to avoid air pockets.
When choosing a pump be sure to verify that it is powerfull enough to pump the water to the height of the tank.
With the cave in place the pump is completely hidden.
The first plants added are the larger 'anchor plants', and are placed into the baskets. Shown here is Myremecodia echinata.
Smaller species of Lycopodium can also be used and tropical moss hides the planting area.
Epiphytic species such as this Lecanopteris fern can be mounted directly to the Co-Co Bedding surface. Wire clips are pierced directly into the foam t...
At this point, most of the larger plants have been placed. Now, smaller species are added to fill in the gaps.
Small Orchid species such as Pleurothallis tribuloides are perfectly at home when mounted on the projecting wood.
Begin by drilling two small, parallel holes through the wood.
The spacing of the holes should be approx. 1/2 the width of the plant to be mounted.
Loop a piece of nylon line through the holes leaving several inches of excess on the back side.
Carefully weave the line through the plant clump making sure to not constrict any growing shoots. Tie the loose ends of the line in the back. Make sev...
When completed the plant appears to have been growing there for some time. This method can be used for a wide variety of small, clump forming plants. ...
In large enough enclosures, some species of TIllandsia can also be added. T. mel. tricolor and T. punctulata are good choices.
Stoloniferous species can be mounted by simply drilling a hole into the wood using a bit the same size as the stolon. The plant is then inserted into ...
The stolons of epiphytic bromeliads can be inserted directly into the foam areas as well. Here is Neoregelia 'Fireball' x lilliputiana.
Miniature plants such as this Sinningia sp. "Rio das Pedras" can be planted in small crevices in the wood. A bit of Co-Co Bedding and moss are added t...
Other species of miniature orchids are mounted directly onto the foam areas using small U-shaped pieces of wire to hold them in place until they root.
Many species of rhizomatous Begonias grow very well epiphytically.
Epiphytic Peperomia pilosior can be draped over the wood. It will soon root and begin to spread.
Various vines, epiphytic orchids and ferns, and small Aroids can be used to fill empty spaces.
Vines such as this Cissus amazonica work very well in terraria with their small, pointed leaves.
Smaller species of Anthurium work well in the lower light areas. Shown here is an A. 'Crystal Hope' variant.
When using miniature species, multiples of the same plant look much more natural. Single specimens placed throughout the tank can created a 'Polka-dot...
Some types of Bacopa work very well in wet areas. This type acquired from Germany creates a spreading, low growing mat of tiny leaves.
The water areas should also be planted. Using emergent species such as this Anubias frazeri allows the lush growth to continue down into the pond.
Anubias congensis is a bit smaller growing.
Various epiphytes are clusted along the projecting wood. In nature these plants are not sparse nor evenly spaced but rather quite dense and growing sp...
Once completed, appropriate lighting is added. Tanks of this depth pose particular challenges. Here we have used 4 40 watt Life-Glo bulbs. Power Compa...
Over the next several years the plants will fill in and create a much more full appearance. Witnessing this process can be just as enjoyable as the an...
