Custom Vivarium & Terrarium Design
Designing beautiful living art since 2009
Vivarium For Poison Dart Frogs
Poison Dart Frog exhibits we designed & installed in The Buttonwood Park Zoo
Vivarium For Emerald Tree Skinks
Poison Dart Frog exhibits we designed & installed in The Buttonwood Park Zoo
About Our Vivarium Design Service 
NEHERP specializes in designing and building biologically active tropical vivariums and terrariums for enthusiasts, breeders, businesses, and institutions. Whether for a private living space or a public exhibit, each environment is built to balance realism, ecological function, and the specific husbandry requirements of its intended inhabitants. (Plant or animal!)
Though visually intricate, our systems are designed for long-term stability and ease of care. Most environments require little more than routine misting, occasional glass cleaning, and light pruning once established. Automated misting and environmental controls can be integrated where appropriate. With proper care, our vivariums commonly operate for 7 to 10+ years before requiring a quick refresh.
Our design team includes experienced breeders, zookeepers, animal rescue operators, and former breeders across a wide range of species. Every project is approached with a species-first mindset, ensuring that environmental structure, airflow, lighting, substrate composition, and plant selection all work together to support both animal health and aesthetic impact. We are deeply passionate about advancing husbandry standards and creating environments that prioritize long-term welfare above convenience or shortcuts.
Please Note: Our plant systems, substrates, and environmental design approach are optimized for humid tropical ecosystems ranging from approximately 55-99% relative humidity. We do not specialize in arid or desert builds.
(Or keep reading to learn about our process!)
Our Design Philosophy
Our goal is to create biologically active, true-to-nature ecosystems built around the needs of the inhabitant species. Each environment is designed to balance visual realism with ecological function, ensuring long-term stability rather than short-term aesthetics.
We try to steer clear of marketing buzzwords and stick to science. At the foundation of every build is a living substrate system containing beneficial microfauna, mycorrhizal fungi, and microbial life that support plant health and environmental balance. This biologically active base layer establishes a functional soil food web similar to what would be found in natural rainforest environments. In these systems, organic matter and animal waste are first fragmented by detritivores such as springtails and isopods before being further broken down by fungi and microbial communities. As this process continues, nutrients are gradually returned to the substrate where they can be reabsorbed by plants and reused within the ecosystem. The result is a naturally cycling environment that becomes more stable, balanced, and low-maintenance as it matures.
Every design decision begins with the biological needs of the inhabitant. Visual impact matters, but if a choice ever comes down to aesthetics versus husbandry, animal welfare wins every time. Fortunately, when an environment is built correctly and functions as it should, beauty tends to follow naturally.
Species Specific Design
Every environment we build is engineered around its intended purpose. For animal habitats, structural layout, ventilation strategy, lighting configuration, and substrate composition are selected according to the biological requirements of the specific species.
For example, dart frog enclosures are designed to maintain consistently high humidity while incorporating controlled airflow to prevent stagnation. Arboreal species such as day geckos require a different structural orientation, increased vertical climbing surfaces, and carefully selected UVB lighting to accommodate their natural biology. Terrestrial species prioritize usable floor space, and ground-level cover. Our staff has collectively worked across a wide range of husbandry niches, with well over 100 species across decades of hands-on experience. We aim to ensure every build reflects that depth of species-specific familiarity.
For clients seeking plant-only terrariums, we apply the same ecological discipline. Lighting intensity, airflow, drainage strategy, and substrate composition are tailored to support long-term plant health and sustainable growth patterns, creating a stable slice of rainforest without the need for animal inhabitants.
Custom Hardscape & Background Design
Click here to toggle/compare background styles
Hardscape is more than decoration - it is structural architecture. Climbing systems, anchor points, microclimates, and long-term durability all begin with properly selected natural materials.
From rooted stump designs and arboreal branch systems to rocky outcrops, every hardscape element is positioned with purpose. Durability is engineered according to species - from delicate thumbnail dart frogs to large, heavy-bodied reptiles - ensuring long-term performance without structural compromise. Our hardscape work isn't just naturally accurate and objectively beautiful, they are also incredibly long-lasting and predictable in outcome. Our natural materials are never treated as decorative afterthoughts. They are functional architecture.
NEHERP maintains one of the most extensive selections of terrarium-appropriate natural decor in the United States, including Ghostwood, cork, Jungle Roots, and hard-to-find jungle vines. We source from multiple suppliers, grade each piece in-house, and heat-treat materials when necessary to ensure biological safety and structural integrity. Premium selections that meet our highest standards are designated as NEHERP Grade, while secondary pieces are offered through more economical tiers. Our in-house wood shop allows us to shape, modify, reinforce, and custom-fit materials daily for seamless integration into each build.
We offer two primary background styles. Our "Heavy Duty Backgrounds" are durable rear-panel systems engineered for long-term structural reliability and cost efficiency. Our "Fully Custom Backgrounds" are constructed from custom-cut cork or tree fern bases and integrated with focal elements such as Ghostwood, Jungle Vines, or cork rounds to achieve greater dimensional depth and architectural complexity.
Note: Our Heavy Duty & Fully Custom background styles are based on their respective NEHERP DIY Kits. If you are interested in designing your own rather than have us do the work, check out our Heavy Duty Background Kits & Custom Background Kits!
NEHERP's Build Materials
Every custom vivarium we construct adheres to an internal benchmark for biological stability, material quality, and long-term performance. This standard governs the plants we grow, the substrates we formulate, the lighting systems we recommend, and the structural refinements implemented within each enclosure.
Our live plants are supplied primarily through our own indoor terrarium-specific grow operation. With strict quarantine procedures, climate-controlled propagation rooms, and organic growing practices, we produce plants intentionally cultivated for humid vivarium systems. Additional details about our growing methods are publicly available on our Plant Menu under "About Our Plants".
Beneath the surface, our best-selling NEHERP Terrarium Substrates form the foundation of each build, incorporating premium-grade components selected for structural longevity and ecological function rather than cost-driven shortcuts. The material quality differences are significant and openly documented on our NEHERP Substrate Product Page. Our substrate has been independently evaluated by experienced hobbyists as the leading formulation for tropical vivarium ecosystems(Source), and has remained the top Google-ranked vivarium substrate in the United States for well over a decade.
Our lighting systems are selected through in-house testing and real-world application, with careful attention to natural appearance, usable PAR output, distribution across the enclosure, and long-term reliability. The same methodology that informs our widely referenced vivarium lighting guide underpins each recommendation, ensuring decisions are grounded in measurable performance.
The result of all of these top-quality elements is not simply a visually impressive display, but a stable, predictable ecosystem designed to function properly long after installation.
Enclosure Selection
We work with both off-the-shelf terrariums and fully custom-built enclosures, and the distinction between the two is important.
For most projects, we recommend high-quality glass enclosures from respected brands like Aqueon, Exo Terra, Zilla, and Zoo Med. These units provide a reliable foundation and can be upgraded in-house with improved sealing, drainage considerations, airflow refinement, and other structural enhancements to better suit long-term vivarium use. We keep over 30 sizes of enclosures in stock, in an effort to keep lead-time to a minimum.
For clients requiring specific dimensions, architectural integration, or specialized features, we also offer fully custom, hand-built glass enclosures fabricated locally in Connecticut. These enclosures are designed from the ground up and typically cost significantly more than mass-produced tanks due to custom glass cutting, structural planning, and fabrication labor.
While custom glass builds offer maximum flexibility, most projects are best served by thoughtfully upgraded off-the-shelf enclosures. In fact, zoological institutions and museums utilize our modified mainstream enclosures as permanent exhibit installations - achieving professional, long-term performance at a fraction of the cost of fully custom glass fabrication. We are happy to discuss which approach makes the most sense for your goals, application, and budget.
Note: We do not manufacture or sell empty custom enclosures independently. Custom terrariums are available only as part of a complete vivarium project. Customer-supplied (new) terrariums are also accepted.
Examples Of Our Work
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Project Guidelines, Pricing & Logistics
Limitations
• Clients must be 18+ to request a quote
• Quotes are valid for 30 days due to fluctuating material costs
• Pickup at our Connecticut facility or delivery within approximately 90 minutes of Central CT
• Water features are incorporated only when appropriate for species and husbandry requirements
Pricing Structure
• All ingredients are priced the same as our extremely competitive online store
• Commissioned vivariums cost about what it would cost you to build your own, plus labor
• Skilled design, construction, and installation labor: $55/hr
• 3D modeling, production, and CNC machining: $85/hr
Logistics & Timeline
• Typical completion time is 4-8 weeks following deposit, depending on project scope
• A 70% deposit is required prior to the commencement of work
• A 30% final payment is due within 30 days of completion
Terms & Conditions
• Zoos, museums, and universities: Please refer to our Commercial Terms
• Home and private installations: Please refer to our Custom Work Terms
Request A No-Obligation Quote!
Ready to bring your project to life? Select the option below that best matches your project scope:
⚠ Before Submitting an Institutional Quote:
As of , we are currently close to capacity for large institutional exhibit work. Due to the scope and design time required for museum projects, we prefer to speak briefly before accepting a deposit. This ensures we can confirm timeline availability and avoid tying up institutional funds unnecessarily. Please contact us directly to discuss your project, and we’ll be happy to advise on next steps. Shoot us an email at support@neherpetoculture.com to briefly describe what you are looking for, and we'll get back to you asap.
Vivarium Service FAQ
Budget & DIY Options
We strive to keep our commissioned vivarium work competitively priced, and most customers are surprised by how inexpensive a commissioned build from us can be. That said, professional design and fabrication labor can add roughly 15-40% to the total project cost compared to building the same enclosure yourself using our kits & supplies. We fully support DIY vivarium design from start to finish. ♥
Our 100% free Vivarium Construction articles provide an excellent and reliable starting point for anyone interested in building their own vivarium. We also offer detailed guides covering both fully custom backgrounds and our heavy-duty background systems, along with an extensive vivarium article library that walks through nearly every stage of the process.
All of this information pairs perfectly with our online store, where we carry the same top-quality substrates, lighting systems, background materials, plants, and ecological components used in our custom installations. NEHERP truly is a one-stop vivarium shop, offering one of the largest selections of vivarium component kits & supplies available anywhere. Customers who build environments using our kits also receive free one-on-one consultation support via email. We're always happy to help!
Not Local? We can still help!
While we ship vivarium supplies, plants, and kits nationwide, pre-planted vivariums are limited to delivery within roughly 90 minutes of our location. Unfortunately, fully built (planted) living ecosystems simply cannot be shipped safely. For customers outside our delivery area, the best path forward is often the DIY route, and we fully support that approach from start to finish. ♥
Our extensive library of vivarium articles provides step-by-step guidance for every stage of the build process. We also offer one of the most comprehensive selections of vivarium component kits, along with the same substrates, lighting systems, and background materials used in our professional installations. All of that for the lowest prices you'll find anywhere! Thousands of customers across the United States use these resources to successfully build thriving vivariums at home.
Realistic Maintenance
Bioactive vivariums are designed to be naturally stable and incredibly low-maintenance. Routine upkeep typically involves simple tasks such as trimming plants, wiping the viewing glass, misting the enclosure, and keeping an eye on the drainage layer to ensure it doesn't over-fill. Periodically replenishing leaf litter and making small aesthetic adjustments also helps keep the ecosystem functioning and looking its best. Most keepers find this interaction to be one of the most rewarding aspects of vivarium ownership - a calm, relaxing way to stay connected with the slice of nature they’ve created.
Many of the aforementioned aspects of vivarium care can be easily automated. Lighting schedules, misting systems, and drainage management can all be controlled with reliable off-the-shelf equipment at relatively low cost. (We carry everything you'd need!) When designed properly, most environments - particularly those housing smaller species - become largely self-regulating ecosystems where beneficial microfauna assist in breaking down waste and organic matter. The result is a living display that remains clean, healthy, and visually striking with only light periodic attention from its keeper.
For specific details on what's involved, check out our Vivarium Construction 101 and 102 articles.
Automation
Many aspects of vivarium care can be easily automated. Timed lighting cycles - with or without gradual sunrise and sunset simulation - automated misting systems, temperature control, and even drainage management can all be handled with reliable and inexpensive off-the-shelf equipment. These systems help maintain stable environmental conditions while reducing daily maintenance, allowing the ecosystem to function consistently with minimal hands-on intervention.
We stock and install everything from misting systems, thermostats, heaters, controllers, timers, foggers, drainage equipment, and more - all at the best prices you'll find anywhere. ☺
PVC Tanks Vs Glass Enclosures
Whenever possible, we recommend glass terrariums for custom vivarium projects. Glass provides a rigid structure that seals reliably and maintains a stable, watertight environment over many years of operation. PVC enclosures, while inexpensive and popular for certain reptile applications, are much more difficult to seal long-term. Even with professional-grade silicone and specialized adhesives, the natural flex of PVC foam board can allow small leaks to develop over time as materials expand and contract with temperature changes.
PVC enclosures also require an additional preparation step for custom backgrounds. Because silicone does not adhere well to PVC, cork tiles must first be installed using discreet stainless steel hardware to create a stable surface for the background. This extra step adds a small amount of labor and cost to PVC-based builds.
That said, we understand that some enclosure sizes are only available in PVC, and we are happy to work with customer-supplied PVC enclosures when necessary. In these cases we cannot guarantee long-term leak resistance. While many PVC builds perform well in practice, the material simply makes watertight sealing less predictable than glass. For projects where water retention, drainage systems, or long-term sealing are critical, glass remains the preferred option.
Longevity
When designed and maintained according to the standards outlined in our Vivarium Construction 101 and Vivarium Construction 102 guides, properly built vivariums are intended to function as stable ecosystems for many years. Most environments we construct operate reliably for 7–10+ years with only modest upkeep. In fact, some installations have reached 11 years before even benefiting from a quick substrate refresh! (See example photo built w/NEHERP Substrate, Background Kit, Etc!) Over time, plants mature, microfauna populations stabilize, and the enclosure gradually develops into a balanced living system that often becomes more visually impressive as it ages.
Like any living environment, small refreshes may occasionally be desirable as the system matures. Many keepers enjoy trimming plants, replenishing leaf litter, or adjusting decorative elements as the enclosure evolves. After many years of operation, a mild overhaul such as a substrate refresh may eventually be beneficial. With thoughtful design, quality materials, responsible maintenance, and proper ecological balance, a well-built vivarium is not a short-term display - it is a long-term ecosystem designed to evolve naturally and remain enjoyable for many years.
Meet The Design Team
Mike Smith - Lead Designer:
(Pictured top center)
Lead Vivarium Designer and NEHERP’s most senior employee. Having built hundreds of vivariums over the past several years, Mike brings more hands-on construction experience than anyone on our team. He served as lead designer for our recent Buttonwood Park Zoo projects and previously worked as a breeder before transitioning fully into habitat design. Deeply committed to animal welfare and ecosystem function, Mike approaches every project with exceptional care and precision.
Mike Siavrakas - NEHERP's Founder:
(Pictured bottom left)
Owner of NEHERP and the team member responsible for many of the technical and engineering aspects behind our builds. His work includes lighting analysis, 3D product modeling, CNC manufacturing, and vivarium design. Mike began working with vivariums and live animals around the year 2000, served as lead designer for multiple commercial projects including the Museum of Natural History exhibits, and has been a supplier to zoos and museums throughout New England.
Jessica Siavrakas - Designer:
(Pictured Top Left)
Jessica has been designing residential and commercial vivariums with NEHERP since 2011. She served as assistant designer for our Harvard projects, contributed consulting input on numerous additional builds, and helped develop several NEHERP-branded products. Jess also previously managed and trained staff across our logistics, production, greenhouse, and customer service departments. As a multidisciplinary artist working in music, oil painting, egg tempera iconography, mixed media, alcohol inks, and other mediums, she brings a distinctive creative perspective to the design team.
Nick E., Guy V., and Logan D.:
(Nick pictured Top Right)
These three fantastic gentlemen currently serve as junior designers while working across several other departments within NEHERP. As they continue building experience with our systems, materials, and husbandry standards, they are gradually working toward expanded roles within the vivarium design department.
Our Build Process
Once a quote request is submitted, our team reviews the information provided and begins developing a design concept based on the enclosure size, species requirements, and goals of the project. At this stage we may suggest adjustments to lighting, plants, structural layout, or materials to ensure the environment functions properly as a long-term ecosystem. The initial quote outlines the recommended components and estimated labor required for the build.
Before any work begins, clients are welcome to review the proposal and request adjustments to plant selections, lighting systems, backgrounds, or other design elements. Many projects go through a short refinement phase where details are tuned to match the client’s goals, aesthetic preferences, and budget. Once the final design is approved, a project deposit secures the build slot and allows our team to begin material preparation and fabrication. At that point the conceptual design phase is finalized and cannot be substantially changed.
Project timelines begin once the deposit is received. Most custom builds are completed within approximately 6–12 weeks depending on the size and complexity of the enclosure, with larger exhibit-style environments requiring additional time. During the build phase, structural modifications, background construction, planting, and ecological system installation are completed in-house. Each environment is assembled and tested to ensure proper lighting, drainage, airflow, and overall environmental balance.
Once construction is complete, the finished vivarium remains at NEHERP for a complimentary 3-5 week acclimation period. This step is something we take great pride in, as it dramatically improves long-term success. During acclimation our team monitors plant health, replaces any specimens that do not thrive, documents the ecosystem's progress, and allows the biological components to stabilize before the enclosure leaves our care. Once acclimated, the vivarium is prepared for pickup or scheduled delivery within our service area, along with guidance on care, maintenance, and long-term ecosystem management.
Showroom Vivariums
For those looking to skip the build timeline entirely, we maintain a rotating selection of fully completed vivariums in our showroom. These environments are professionally designed, planted, and biologically established using the same materials and standards found in our commissioned builds. Showroom vivariums are available on a first-come basis and can be taken home immediately, making them a great option for customers who want a mature, ready-to-enjoy ecosystem without the typical design and construction lead time.
About Our Deposit Fees
Custom quotes take real design time - from 20 minutes to 6+ hours depending on complexity. A small deposit helps ensure requests are serious and moving forward in the near future. Deposits are non-refundable, but 100% applied to your final build. They do not increase the cost of a completed project.
• Standard Glass Terrariums ($10)
Standard quick quotes for off-the-shelf enclosures
• Custom Glass Terrariums ($100)
Helps cover the cost of 3D modeling & fabrication planning
• Large Institutional Projects (Price Varies)
Covers up to 6 hours of professional design, planning, and coordination