Interesting terrariums?

[wlwyverns]

I just got a brand new orchid mantis a few days ago (she molted yesterday so she's FRESHLY L2 ) and I'm planning her setup. I'm obviously prepared to go for the standard 12x12 if necessary, but I've been looking for slightly prettier/more interesting enclosures, and was wondering if anyone has used a nontraditional terrarium for their bugs? I'm thinking something like Ikea Socker (below), which is just shy of 18Lx9Wx14H

Obviously you'd have to either drill some vent holes, or maybe even leave it open and cover the top with a mesh if holes wouldn't be enough airflow. Has anyone done something like this? I've seen videos going around of people putting snails into things like this, but those are maybe the least trustworthy source of info, plus tiny snails are a lot different than a 2 or 3 inch bug.
Followup, I'm thinking about making this a bioactive, and a more permanent fixture, with a revolving cast of creatures every year or so (since it will largely be home to rather short-lived creatures), thoughts on this for a millipede? Other ideas for critters that could be included in this rotation? Is every part of this a terrible idea?
Thanks!

 

[Emi248]

Anything Hollow = Enclosure

 

[wlwyverns]

Anything Hollow = Enclosure

I love that mindset! Though my girlfriend might get a little upset with me if I start drilling holes in all our tupperware....

 

[Poonjab]

Anything Hollow = Enclosure

How have I not been using myself as an enclosure all these years.

 

[Emi248]

How have I not been using myself as an enclosure all these years.

Not a bad idea if you want to save those bucks

 

[Poonjab]

Not a bad idea if you want to save those bucks

I could fit a colosseum of T’s in me, bro.

 

[Smotzer]

I just got a brand new orchid mantis a few days ago (she molted yesterday so she's FRESHLY L2 ) and I'm planning her setup. I'm obviously prepared to go for the standard 12x12 if necessary, but I've been looking for slightly prettier/more interesting enclosures, and was wondering if anyone has used a nontraditional terrarium for their bugs? I'm thinking something like Ikea Socker (below), which is just shy of 18Lx9Wx14H
View attachment 389701
Obviously you'd have to either drill some vent holes, or maybe even leave it open and cover the top with a mesh if holes wouldn't be enough airflow. Has anyone done something like this? I've seen videos going around of people putting snails into things like this, but those are maybe the least trustworthy source of info, plus tiny snails are a lot different than a 2 or 3 inch bug.
Followup, I'm thinking about making this a bioactive, and a more permanent fixture, with a revolving cast of creatures every year or so (since it will largely be home to rather short-lived creatures), thoughts on this for a millipede? Other ideas for critters that could be included in this rotation? Is every part of this a terrible idea?
Thanks!

Most of these like this are made of glass without ability to add ventilation, so if you wanted to use it, you have to unbend the little tabs that hold the panes in, take them out and replace them with cut and drilled acrylic. I have done it myself a few times and made it to work on different styles of these.

Converting Glass Lanterns into Enclosures

Hi All!! Wanted to share some photos of some Glass lanterns that I converted into enclosures today. Picked these up for $7 each and spent probably spent total $5 on acrylic. I swapped out the glass panel on the doors and put in acrylic and then cut a piece to go over the naturally open top. then...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Grayman1984]

I could fit a colosseum of T’s in me, bro.

 

[wlwyverns]

Most of these like this are made of glass without ability to add ventilation, so if you wanted to use it, you have to unbend the little tabs that hold the panes in, take them out and replace them with cut and drilled acrylic. I have done it myself a few times and made it to work on different styles of these.

Converting Glass Lanterns into Enclosures

Hi All!! Wanted to share some photos of some Glass lanterns that I converted into enclosures today. Picked these up for $7 each and spent probably spent total $5 on acrylic. I swapped out the glass panel on the doors and put in acrylic and then cut a piece to go over the naturally open top. then...

arachnoboards.com

Thanks for the tutorial link! That ikea one I'm looking at specifically is polystyrene and should be drill-through-able, but for sure most of them aren't.
(oh also thanks for the reply on my thesis thread, small world on here )

 

[Smotzer]

No problem!! And good luck with it!!

oh also thanks for the reply on my thesis thread, small world on here )

of course anytime, you are welcome!!
I hope to share some of my own papers on here, albeit an entirely different subject of study, so I’m happy to support those who write to try and advance the fields they are currently studying!