An open terrarium is a self-contained, oxygen-enriched environment, in which an artificial tree or shrub, supported by PVC pipes and a water heater, is planted. It can be made to simulate any living thing, with the exception of air. This kit has been designed for low-cost experimentation with plant life.

Many terrarium kits contain a simple water heater, which is connected to a small pump that feeds water through a tubing system to the terrarium. The pump is activated by the presence of a small organic matter (such as wood ash) that attracts plant pollinators. The pump can be manual or motorized. Many people prefer the manual type, since it allows you more freedom and flexibility in positioning and sizing the terrarium, but the motorized version is often preferred for larger terrariums containing plants of substantial size. You may even want to use an air pump, if your terrarium is close to an outside source of air.

Some terrarium kits are complete and contain everything necessary to create your own home aquarium, including all of the necessary fish and plants. However, most kits lack the items that make a successful aquarium. Most kits fail to provide a way for the plants to escape and the water quality to improve. Most kits also do not include supplies for changing and maintenance of the water and plant growth. A well made, good quality terrarium kit will provide a complete, quality product that is well supported with directions and clear, easy to follow instructions.

The kit should contain everything you will need to construct your terrarium, including the proper supplies for your particular species of fish, plants and marine life desired. Each species of plant needs specific nutrients, so research the types of plants you will be keeping before buying your kit. This will ensure that the plants provided are suitable for your aquarium. Certain species require specific water chemistry, so the kit should include the right equipment for each species in the aquarium you wish to build.

The kit should contain everything necessary for the construction of the basic terrarium. All of the aquarium equipment should be included, along with a manual with detailed instructions. The kit should also include materials for both the interior and exterior panels of the terrarium. Most kits do not contain the perlite or gravel needed for a successful open terrarium, however this is not usually an issue since the plants do provide ample nutrients for the fish.

There are several advantages to using an open terrarium kit over creating the same aquarium from scratch. The open terrarium kit will provide you with a ready-made environment, it is cheaper to purchase the kit than to gather all of the supplies and constructing the aquarium on your own. Most people who have a kit also choose to add some live plants to their terrarium, making the open terrarium even more attractive.

You can choose between fish and plants for your terrarium. If you are a beginner, you can start with a fish only environment, while a more experienced aquarist can decide to include both types of organisms. Before adding any live plants, check with your local aquarium shop to see if they supply any plants in the kit. Some plants can actually harm fish, so you should always check with an expert before adding live plants to your new terrarium. On average most plants are safe to add to an open terrarium provided they do not occupy much of the available space.

To keep your open terrarium looking clean and clear after it has been filled fill the terrarium with a substrate once the kit has been purchased. Most kits will provide the proper amount of substrate to ensure that it does not become too full. Once the terrarium is filled, be sure to run water through the filter on a regular basis. This will help to maintain the pH of the water as well as remove any excess nutrients that may have settled to the bottom.