🦎 How to Set Up a Vivarium: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Setting up a vivarium is one of the most exciting parts of owning a reptile or amphibian — it's where your pet will live, eat, explore, and feel safe. Whether you're housing a gecko, snake, frog, or even an exotic insect, a well-designed vivarium mimics their natural habitat while making maintenance easy and display beautiful.

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In this guide, we'll walk you through how to set up a vivarium from scratch.

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🧱 1. Choose the Right Vivarium

Your first step is choosing a suitable enclosure for your animal’s needs.

• Glass vivariums are ideal for species that need visibility and humidity.

• Wooden vivariums hold heat better and are great for desert reptiles like bearded dragons.

• Mesh setups are lightweight, durable, and great for animals who need ventilation such as chameleons.

📏 Size matters — always opt for the largest enclosure you can accommodate, keeping in mind the adult size of your animal.

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🌡️ 2. Heating and Lighting

Reptiles and amphibians are ectothermic — they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.

• Basking species need a heat bulb or ceramic heater to create a hot spot.

• Nocturnal species often do better with an under-tank heat mat or ceramic heater.

• UVB lighting is essential for diurnal reptiles to enable them to process calcium and maintain bone health.  Can be beneficial for nocturnal animals as well even if not essential.  Make sure you choose the correct strength of UVB for your reptile.

💡 Tip: Use a thermostat to regulate heating and prevent overheating.

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🌿 3. Choose Your Substrate

Substrate is the material that lines the bottom of the vivarium.

• Tropical setups: coco fibre, orchid bark, or bioactive soil blends

• Desert setups: sand-soil mixes or excavator clay

• Arboreal species: may not need much ground substrate but require vertical surfaces

Avoid substrates that can cause impaction, especially in small/young animals,  such as loose gravel or calcium sand.

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🏞️ 4. Add Décor and Enrichment

Décor not only makes your vivarium visually appealing — it provides enrichment and security for your pet.

• Hides and shelters give your animal a place to feel safe.

• Branches and vines are essential for climbers.

• Water dishes or small pools for soaking (especially amphibians)

• Live or artificial plants for added realism and cover

Always make sure décor is secure and cannot fall or trap your animal.

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💧 5. Maintain Proper Humidity

Humidity plays a key role in your animal’s health, especially for amphibians and tropical reptiles.

• Misting systems or manual sprays help maintain humidity.

• Hygrometers let you monitor levels accurately.

• Moist hides can be added for animals that require high humidity during shedding.

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🦠 6. Consider Going Bioactive

A bioactive setup includes live plants, micro fauna (like springtails and isopods), and a drainage layer — creating a self-cleaning ecosystem.

Benefits of bioactive:

• Less waste build-up

• Naturalistic look

• Healthier environment

Bioactive enclosures require planning but can be incredibly rewarding long-term.

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🧼 7. Set It Up Before Introducing Your Pet

Always get the environment fully set up before adding your pet.

• Test temperatures and humidity for at least 24 hours for more delicate species.

• Check that all hides and climbing elements are secure.

• Ensure lighting cycles (usually 12 hours on/off) are set up with timers.

Once your vivarium is running smoothly, introduce your pet and observe their behaviour to ensure they’re adjusting well.

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📦 Ready to Set Up?

At Blue Lizard Reptiles, we offer a wide range of vivariums, heating equipment, décor, and substrates — everything you need to create the perfect setup.

Need help choosing the right enclosure or lighting? Contact us, or visit our Starter Kit Section for expert advice and top-quality supplies.