---
title: Rainforest tank: a tropical vivarium terrarium recipe
description: A medium sealed tropical vivarium in a glass box of 45.8 L, with 6 plants and 2 mosses. a tall glass vivarium under a lamp Every layer, plant and moss, and...
url: https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/rainforest-tank/
---

Starter jar · medium

# Rainforest tank
tropical vivarium

medium · Sealed · Glass box

A medium sealed tropical vivarium in a glass box of 45.8 L, with 6 plants and 2 mosses.

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=rainforest_tank)

## The container

- Glass: Glass box, 40 x 30 cm, 40 cm tall, 45.8 L

- Note: a tall glass vivarium under a lamp

- Lid: Sealed

## Layers, bottom to top

- [LECA (expanded clay)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/leca/), 3 cm (3.43 L)
- [Substrate barrier mesh](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/mesh-barrier/)
- [ABG mix](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/abg-mix/) (9.16 L)
- [Magnolia leaves](https://glassjar.garden/guide/soils/magnolia-leaves/), 1 cm (1.14 L)

## Stones and wood

- [Spider wood](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/spider-wood/), about 26 cm
- 2 x [Black lava rock](https://glassjar.garden/guide/hardscape/black-lava-rock/), about 9 cm

## Plants

- [Parlour palm](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/chamaedorea-elegans/)
- [Rex begonia (miniature cultivars)](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/begonia-rex-mini/)
- [Neoregelia 'Fireball'](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/neoregelia-fireball/)
- [Shingle plant](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/marcgravia-rectiflora/)
- 2 x [Trailing jade](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/peperomia-rotundifolia/)
- [Red flame ivy](https://glassjar.garden/guide/plants/hemigraphis-alternata/)

## Moss

- [Many-fruited thyme-moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/plagiomnium-affine/), about 25% cover
- [Flame moss](https://glassjar.garden/guide/moss/taxiphyllum-flame/), about 10% cover

## Cleanup crew

- 200 [Silver springtail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/sinella-curviseta/)
- 10 [Little sea isopod](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/cubaris-murina/)
- 4 [Miniature awlsnail](https://glassjar.garden/guide/critters/subulina-octona/)

## Water and light

- Water at build: 4070 ml, distilled or rain

- Watering: mist only when no morning condensation

- Light: 9,000 lux, 12 h a day

- Light source: LED bar on top

## How to make it

- Pour the layers, bottom to top: LECA (expanded clay) (3 cm), Substrate barrier mesh, ABG mix, Magnolia leaves (1 cm).
- Set the hardscape: Spider wood, 2 x Black lava rock.
- Plant Parlour palm, Rex begonia (miniature cultivars), Neoregelia 'Fireball', Shingle plant, 2 x Trailing jade, Red flame ivy.
- Lay the moss: Many-fruited thyme-moss over about 25% of the ground, Flame moss over about 10% of the ground.
- Add the cleanup crew: 200 Silver springtail, 10 Little sea isopod, 4 Miniature awlsnail.
- Water with 4070 ml (distilled or rain).
- Close the lid and give it 9,000 lux, 12 h a day: LED bar on top.

[Open this jar in the simulator](https://glassjar.garden/?starter=rainforest_tank)

[Forest floor](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/forest-floor/) · [Wardian case](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/wardian-case/) · [All starter jars](https://glassjar.garden/starter-jars/)