# I Made a Terrarium with a Built-In Weather System Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhIKNKkw8ww Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/qhIKNKkw8ww Generated: 2026-01-31T13:34:33.565+00:00 --- ## 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). ![Screenshot at 0:07: The finished glass jar terrarium is shown on a wooden table, containing lush green moss and plants, demonstrating the self-contained ecosystem before the main custom build begins.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-00-07.jpg) **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). ### Custom Enclosure Construction - Glass tank used as the main vessel - Sides reinforced with custom-cut expanded PVC board featuring internal ledges for the false bottom/filter - Custom top enclosure built from PVC board hides rain system components and houses the light fixture. ### Rain System Build - Water pump feeds a custom drip tray made from corrugated polycarbonate (2:50) - Polycarbonate is cut parallel to the ribs, leaving the vertical voids to distribute water evenly, simulating rain (2:54). ### Filtration/False Bottom - Layers include coarse Matala mat (6:01), fine filter sponge, and a carbon filter pad (6:17) - A PVC divider separates the wet substrate from the pump area and includes a valve to control water flow (5:02, 4:21). ### Substrate and Hardscape - Substrate is a 3:2 mix of Aquasoil and natural clay cat litter (bentonite clay) (7:21) - Hardscape uses sanded maple roots (6:45) and black sculpted background material adhered with the substrate mix. ### Plant Selection - Features moisture-loving plants like Fittonia albinensis 'Snow Anne' (8:26) and Anubias nana 'Petite' (8:41), alongside various mosses (6:55) and creeping fig (Oak Leaf Creeping Fig) (9:04). ### Weather Programming - The lighting system is controlled via a smartphone app allowing custom RGB cycles, timed rain events (Pump ON/OFF), and fog cycles (Fogger ON/OFF) scheduled between 4:15 PM and 8:00 PM (10:27, 10:33). ![Screenshot at 0:19: The simulated rain feature activates inside the terrarium, showing water dripping onto the plants under purple lighting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-00-19.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:40: The creator places the small submersible water pump inside the empty glass tank, which will power the rain effect.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-00-40.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:34: Silicone is applied to the edges of the pre-cut glass panels to begin assembling the main tank structure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-01-34.jpg) ![Screenshot at 3:36: The corrugated polycarbonate sheet, intended for the rain distribution tray, is covered with masking tape to mark the cutting boundaries.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-03-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 6:42: The final hardscape arrangement inside the tank shows the vertically oriented maple roots and sculpted background material resting on the dark substrate.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/qhIKNKkw8ww/00-06-42.jpg)