I Made a Terrarium with a Built-In Weather System

Quick Overview

The creator successfully built a custom terrarium featuring a complex, automated internal weather system that simulates rain and mist cycles using modified aquarium components and custom-cut PVC board housing, resulting in a unique and fully functional miniature ecosystem.

Key Points: The creator built a custom terrarium with a built-in weather system simulating rain (0:05) and mist (0:20). The custom rain system used an old aquarium tank, corrugated polycarbonate for the drip plate, and a small submersible pump modified to feed an airline tube (0:31, 0:40, 4:51). The drainage/filter area was constructed using expanded PVC board, which was cut to size and assembled with super glue to create compartments for coarse Matala mat, fine filter sponge, and a carbon filter pad (1:32, 2:36, 3:36, 6:01). The substrate used was a mix of Aquasoil and natural clay cat litter (bentonite clay) in a rough 3:2 volume ratio (7:11, 7:22). Maple roots were used for hardscape elements, with some pieces being sanded flat on a belt sander to provide stable bases (6:45). The lighting system was fully programmable via a smartphone app, allowing for custom white, RGB, and timed light/rain/fog features (10:23, 10:27). The final setup included various humidity-loving plants like Fittonia albinensis 'Snow Anne' and Anubias nana 'Petite' (8:26, 8:41).

Context: The video documents the detailed process of building a highly customized, enclosed terrarium designed to mimic a natural rainforest environment, specifically focusing on integrating an automated weather system that controls rain and fog cycles. The creator uses various unconventional materials, such as cat litter for substrate and corrugated polycarbonate for the rain plate, to achieve the desired functionality and aesthetic.

Detailed Analysis

The creator details the multi-step process of building a custom terrarium featuring an integrated weather system that simulates rain and fog. First, the creator showcases an existing small terrarium mimicking rain (0:00-0:06) before starting the main project using a cube-shaped glass tank (0:36). The rain system relies on a small submersible pump connected to an airline tube, which feeds water through a custom-made drip plate constructed from corrugated polycarbonate (2:50). The enclosure's base/filter section is built from expanded PVC board, cut into pieces and assembled with super glue to form compartments for filtration media: coarse Matala mat, fine filter sponge, and a carbon filter pad (6:01, 6:17). The substrate is a mixture of Aquasoil and natural clay cat litter (bentonite clay) in a 3:2 ratio by volume (7:21). Hardscaping involves shaping maple roots on a belt sander (6:45) to ensure flat bases for stability. The back wall is built using the substrate mix adhered to a PVC backing board. Planting includes variegated Fittonia albinensis 'Snow Anne' and Anubias nana 'Petite' (8:26, 8:41). The system is completed with a custom-built enclosure top made from PVC board that hides the rain equipment and houses a fully programmable RGB light capable of simulating storm effects (10:23). The final test shows the rain and mist features working according to the programmed schedule, creating a dynamic, moist environment (10:43, 10:54).