Choosing Flowers and Care Methods for Amphibious Ecosystem Aquariums

Introduction to Ecological Terrariums for Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians and reptiles, such as snakes, frogs, and lizards, have become popular pets for many animal lovers. Besides requiring love and patience, raising these animals demands attention to their environmental setup. Unlike typical household pets, amphibians and reptiles struggle to survive in human living environments, such as homes. Therefore, most people opt to set up a terrarium that simulates their natural outdoor environment, providing them with a sense of security, reducing stress, and allowing enthusiasts to observe and understand them better.

Setting Up an Ecological Terrarium

The setup of an ecological terrarium is intricate, involving considerations of space density, humidity, and lighting. Different species have distinct environmental requirements. Given that this paper serves as a conclusion to a course on floral art, the focus will be on the selection of flowers and plants, the reasoning behind these choices, and some maintenance strategies related to humidity and plant growth. Assuming we have an empty terrarium divided into water and land sections with minimal interference between them (e.g., water not directly flowing into the soil to prevent over-saturation), which can be achieved by installing a glass panel in the terrarium.

Land Section Setup

In the land section, we can start by selecting grass for the lawn. Planting grass helps consolidate the soil, preventing it from shifting easily. However, before planting, it’s crucial to ensure that the animals’ weight won’t trample the grass. The overall layout must also consider humidity levels, as frequently trodden areas can become damaged and muddy when wet.

The question arises whether to lay down grass or sow seeds. Both methods can create a grassy environment. I recommend laying down grass because it yields quicker results and doesn’t require meticulous soil preparation. Additionally, amphibians and reptiles have a habit of digging, which can be mitigated by using grass. Replacing grass is also relatively easier. Suitable grass types include Zoysia macrostachya or Zoysia minica, known for their resilience and tolerance to shade and moisture. They are often used for soil erosion control and have soft stems and leaves that won’t harm the animals’ sensitive skin.

It’s essential to choose low-growing grass species to maintain the terrarium’s aesthetic appeal, as tall grass can obstruct the view when observing the animals from the side. Lowering the soil level on the land side can also help keep the grass at a manageable height. This approach enhances the terrarium’s visual appeal.

Planting at the Water-Land Interface

At the interface between the water and land, it’s beneficial to plant species that thrive in humid conditions and can cover the area, beautifying the environment and preventing weed growth that could harm the water body. Recommended plants include Iris laevigata, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Alisma orientale, water iris, and Microcarpaea minima. These plants can soften the water-land transition, creating a natural and harmonious feel. They are easy to cultivate, robust, and can survive in swampy conditions with soft leaf textures. However, in very small terrariums, their underground rhizomes might require too much space.

The cultivation of these covering plants is a crucial finishing touch in the terrarium’s landscape design, both beautifying the environment and maintaining ecological balance.

Plant Selection for the Land

On the land, it’s advisable to plant large-leafed, moisture-tolerant plants or small-leafed plants with dense foliage. These provide hiding places for the animals and should be chosen with care to avoid plants with thorns that could injure the animals’ skin.

I suggest planting ferns, such as Asplenium nidus, which can grow year-round in warm, humid conditions. Since they often grow on large trees or rocks, they can be attached to driftwood or deadwood in the terrarium, beautifying these elements and creating a good hiding environment for the animals. Other fern species like Nephrolepis, Pteris, Adiantum, and Platycerium are also suitable. If the terrarium is large enough, Gardenia can be added, but it’s crucial to ensure the drainage system is excellent to prevent overwatering, which can lead to fungal and bacterial growth.

Selaginella (spike moss) is another excellent choice for terrariums, thriving in humid environments with a moisture requirement of 60%-80%, which is often difficult to achieve in typical northern environments but feasible in a covered terrarium. For plants that require soil to be moist and dry alternately, like Tillandsia, Peperomia, and Epipremnum, they can be planted in pots within the terrarium to control soil moisture effectively.

Generally, terrariums mainly cultivate ferns and other shade-loving, leafy plants. It’s essential to note that some flower fragrances can affect the animals, so it’s best to focus on grasses and woody plants, minimizing the use of fragrant flowers, especially those with strong scents or toxicity, such as jasmine, oleander, azalea, and others. Due to the high humidity in terrariums, soil moisture must be strictly controlled, typically between 15%-18%, and never exceeding 21%, to prevent the soil from becoming too wet and causing root rot.

To manage humidity, installing air purifiers or negative ion generators can be beneficial. For terrariums already infested with mold, improving ventilation and sprinkling some plant ash on the land side can be an emergency measure, along with spraying 1% formalin or 0.1% potassium permanganate.

Conclusion

The above discussion provides a personal view on establishing an ecological terrarium for amphibians and reptiles. Given the limited experience and reliance on book knowledge, there might be oversights or errors. Topics such as water and soil microbial control, the establishment of circulation filtration systems, and temperature and humidity control systems are beyond the scope of this course and thus are not discussed.

References

• 熊济华，唐岱 2000 藤蔓花卉
• 王意成 1999 时尚观叶植物
• Dorling Kindersley 1999 Plants for shade
• Dorling Kindersley 2002 Lawns and Ground
• Dorling Kindersley 2002 Flower shrubs cover
• Dorling Kindersley 2002 Annuals & Biennials
• 湖中华，刘师汉 1994 草坪与地被植物
• 孙钜，得一兵 2000 微型花卉
• 曾秀云，马仁华 2001 科学养蝎技术200问
• Lasing M.Prescott John p.Harley Donald A.klein 2003 微生物学