Tropical Terrarium Substrate Mix - Terrarium Tips

Welcome to Terrarium Tips. In this series (if you want to call it that) I will give you tips and insights on various things related to terrariums.

This terrarium tip teaches you how to make a substrate that is suitable for tropical plants and that is safe for animals. It's more or less my take on a classic ABG mix.

Leave a comment for a request on a future terrarium tip.

[tephlon-wrap]

The Bob Ross of the terrarium hobby. Love your videos

[LiverInAJar]

This mix is amazing! I use it for my Merauke blue tongue skink. I use it with a false bottom drainage layer. It has basically cured his chronic respiratory infections and is great for his natural burrowing behavior, he loves it. No other substrate I've used holds humidity like this one does. Thank you for this video Serpa!

[halfbakedplants]

i come back to this video again and again, because i always forget the ratios, and i like your recipe. I just finished creating a terrarium in a 20 gallon extra tall tank, and so much of my inspiration has come from watching your videos. Thanks!!

[destynnieberard]

I wanted to say thank you for providing a resource so in-depth and concise. I watch your videos frequently because they are calming to listen to and watch, but for the longest time I moved too often to be able to put together a terrarium for myself. Well, I'm buying everything this month and I'm going to be setting one up after a few years of waiting - and your videos were the prime inspiration, as they're clear, clean, and concise. Thank you for what you do!

[dancingferrit]

Hey guys just a couple of helpful tips, thumbs up so others can see!

Coconut fiber (Coir), is a great substrate mix as it holds moisture far better than normal soil. Coir will often come in dehydrated blocks which expand when wet. SerpaDesigns Coir is already expanded which is why it mixes evenly with the sphagnum moss. Mixing normal soil with sphagnum moss will likely not mix evenly, the sphagnum moss often gathers at the top of the substrate. This can be easily fixed, what I recommend is soaking the sphagnum moss in safe water (Rain, dechlorinated etc.). Then ringing it out like a sponge prior to mixing the ingredients together. It should mix evenly and work as his does.

Hope this helped

[LexBee]

I'm so thankful you made this video and many others. Your videos are great, visually appealing, and very explicit material. Love your channel, keep it up!!

[thurstoncubillo]

I love how calm your followers are without anyone slamming your videos. keep it up!

[CaveJohnson-nkwj]

I couldn't buy any of the items, but I managed to improvise. Here's what I did for my paludarium:

River gravel (sifted down to chunky sand)
Topsoil from a local forest
Cabbage tree bark
Moss (found in low-lying sheep paddocks)
Charcoal (old outdoor firepit)


It looks similar and I'm about to add it to my terrarium in ~10 minutes. Hope this helps anyone in my situation!

[Ryan-znfm]

Keep this up man, your videos are so unbelievably calming

[jacobalexander]

The one who disliked was probably the cricket.

[whoasked]

Tanner you are an inspiration to me and I bet to most everyone who watches your videos, keep giving it 1000%. Keep following your dreams. Your the best.

[Mahhkz]

Thanks dude! I have a moss box with the substrate mix you designed and it’s growing faster than the moss on other substrates I concocted. You are epic when it comes to this stuff.

[Rzanax]

omg that end clip of all your different mixes was BEAUTIFUL haha. Great video! I'm building my first terrarium tomorrow with my brother, so excited.

[irenegrijalvotarres]

I love your videos. I just made my first closed terrarium following your tutorial and I'm really excited! Thank you :)

[raine]

Hi, could you make a video explaining different materials that go into substrate and what benefits they have and how they work? I've heard cocofiber being used a LOT in bioactive terrarium set ups but I still don't understand why. Same goes for charcoal and other materials. Going through what you pick and why would be really really helpful. Thank you!

[gary]

these videos are GREAT keep it up buddy please DONT STOP making these videos from the uk

[XxKamikazexXx]

I discovered your videos when I was looking for information on terrariums for reptiles. I can’t stop watching them. You’re a master! Inspired me to get outdoors and collect my own things while educating and entertaining me! Thank you!

Ps would love to see a leopard gecko build or ball python!

[bobbyharpoon]

In one of your videos you talked about using charcoal in the mix. My question which I am fairly sure you were the one that gave this idea. To use Natural wood BBQ charcoal. Then break it into small chunks for use in the soil mixture. If it was you. Which charcoal did you use? Did you have any issues down the line after using the bagged charcoal? Thanks, Look forward to your reply.

[mazymanning]

Omg this video is so great!!! So simple fast and explanatory!!! Thank you super great!!!

[christiensgarden]

Again another fabulous information for me to build my Moss terrarium