[WIP] DIY Aquatic Terrarium - "Buddy"

Okay, so I just made some changes to my little terrarium, so this post is a tad bit outdated, but it still includes the essentials so here's the post anyhow!

My first post featured my excitement and initial steps in preparing to make my very own aquatic terrarium. I was able to acquire the little glass jar, the pebbles, as well as the plant that I purchased online from a domestic seller. Although I expected to wait about a week for the plant to arrive, it came in about four days, which was a huge plus! You could imagine my excitement when it arrived.

I didn't specify which plant I purchased in the last post, but it's this. Commonly known as the moss ball, but in reality is a unique form of algae. I bought one around about 4-5cm, favouring this smaller one over the other one the seller had that was 7-8cm in diameter.

I must add firstly, that they're extremely adorable. This one here, which I call 'Buddy', was slightly flattened in transit, but still holds a round shape. I expected it to feel a bit softer and perhaps a bit slimier (I don't quite know why I had such an expectation) but although it's still squishy, it's also fairly solid and very nice to hold.

When I saw it in all it's glory, I realised one thing - I miscalculated! It definitely fits the jar I bought, but there's little room for decor to go in. I might look for another jar, but in the meantime, I am still very happy with it. The decor of little dinosaurs I bought from Hong Kong hasn't arrived yet, but this is how it is right now.

The budget was $30, and I spent $32 in total. If you take out the dinosaur figurines which aren't here yet, then the total comes to about $23-24.

Is it worth it? Well, the aquatic terrariums I found online, many which are only half the size of the one I made were going for $50 in total. The plants within it are also much smaller and in my opinion, not as fun to look at than this larger one. Even normal terrariums (as in, non-aquatic) ones go for around the same price. Even smaller ones are $30, some even $50. Don't even think about larger ones! I've seen a few in the hundreds even!

I did look into prices of succulents for normal terrariums, and you can get the smaller plants for just a few dollars be it online or at your local store. Adding the other components of a normal terrarium, your total would be far less than that.

So if you're looking to get a terrarium, here's a piece of advice - you'll likely be much better off financially if you made one yourself! Not to mention, you get to customise it the way you want, and it feels much better that way when you complete it, like an achievement of sorts!

See you next post!
Bloo

[WIP] DIY Terrarium

I know I'm a fair bit late into the game, but after spying several cool terrariums out and about, be in online or in funky stores down in the city, I was determined to have one too. But I came across a problem. On their own, terrarium cases that I eyed (geometric ones in particular) were easily over $40. So I looked at the set of the case and plants together, where they were plenty available on Etsy, but they often cost more than $50. Additionally, most were US-based, which was another problem, as you can't bring live plants into Australia.

Interestingly enough, I did ask around some sellers just to verify. Many said they could ship to Australia, but look upon checking their feedbacks on eBay or Etsy, I saw that many buyers had their live plants claimed and destroyed by customs. The sellers don't return the money, claiming the buyer should have known better. Basically, check for your customs policy before ordering plants online!  Some whose packages aren't check still receive their plants, but beware, you don't want to end up spending money and risk not receiving your package!

Back on track to my DIY Terrarium Project, I decided to make my own terrarium by sourcing my 'supplies', so to speak, from different places at the best possible price. My budget for my DIY terrarium is $30. (Also, I plan to make mine into an aquatic terrarium.)

Firstly, a terrarium needs a container or case of sorts. While I initially thought of a mason jar, I found that it would likely be a bit on the small side. I ended up in The Reject Shop and snagging this glass jar case for $7. It is meant to be a candleholder of sorts, but since it's empty inside, it's ideal to be used for this purpose. In fact, I spotted a Melbourne eBay seller selling a small and simple terrarium for $30 using one of these jars. They also come in different inspirational quotes, but I chose the one above.

Next up, you need stones or pebbles. You can get them in  heaps of colours, but I was eyeing the brown stones. They proved to be more difficult to find - I initially wanted rainbow stones, but they ranged from $3 to $15, with the $3 ones looking really horrible. I ended up getting these for $2, which I think matches the case well - especially with the handle.

For normal terrariums (as in, non-aquatic ones), the stones are needed for drainage for the plants. For mine, it's more for decoration, though I suppose they do serve for both function and fashion no matter which terrarium one makes!

As for additional decorations... I purchased them online so they've yet to arrive, but the package included five ceramic figurines of adorable dinosaurs. They'll arrive in two to four weeks since they're from Hong Kong, but I believe they're worth the wait. They were $9 for the pack of five dinosaurs.

Current total is therefore $18.

The plant I purchase was $14, which puts me $2 over my budget at $32, but I don't consider that I've 'blown' my budget with that $2 to be honest! I only purchased it recently so it's yet to arrive, but I will post again when it does, and when my aquatic terrarium is complete!

See you in the next post!
Bloo