What is the difference between an aquarium, terrarium, vivarium… the list goes on? The short answer is the amount of water and the size of the critter. To begin lets give some brief definitions:

Aquarium – a transparent tank of water in which fish and other water critters and plants are kept.

Terrarium – a vivarium for smaller land critters, especially reptiles, amphibians, or terrestrial invertebrates, typically in the form of a glass-fronted case.

Vivarium – an enclosure, container, or structure adapted or prepared for keeping critters under semi-natural conditions.

Pretty Common

These three are the most commonly used in critter keeping.There are many more types of enclosures with specific names, but they do not all apply to critter keeping. The most common enclosure on the market is an aquarium. There is some debate as to whether it is still an aquarium even if the setup inside is more terrarium like. For our purposes we are speaking to what the enclosure was intended for, so even if you have a terrarium setup in your aquarium we are still calling it an aquarium. These enclosures are found at every pet store whether large or small and are a catch all for critter homes. They are generally less expensive than purpose built enclosures and that is the main reason for their popularity. 

So What’s the Downside?

The downside to using an aquarium is the weight and the lack of air flow. They are great at holding water which means they are great at keeping air out. Air is forced to come in from the top and exit through the top creating a bottle neck of sorts for air flow. This type of air flow does not properly ventilate your enclosure. Improper ventilation can lead to mold and bad bacteria growth that can affect your critter’s health. Unless it is a water critter (spends at least half of its time in the water and needs little land) don’t use an aquarium. 

So, Is There a Difference?

Although many people use the term terrarium most are actually referring to a vivarium. We will not dive into the “how” of creating a vivarium or terrarium in this article, but we have covered it in both our podcast and a blog. Many vivarium/terrarium companies do include a better ventilation system that creates better air flow, however they are usually still glass boxes with top ventilation only. There are some companies that have incorporated “bottom-to-top” ventilation. This is the best way to create good air flow and moisture management. Vivariums are meant for land dwelling critters. These critters usually need access to open water or at least water dishes. The design of most vivarium/terrarium enclosures are setup to help maintain humidity. 

Air-flow Matters

To wrap up if your critter does not spend half or more of their time in deep (from their perspective) water don’t use an enclosure designed to be an aquarium. They do not provide the ventilation needed. When searching for a vivarium or terrarium find one with proper ventilation, “bottom-to-top” ventilation. Finding one with lower vents both above and below the substrate line will be best. This helps keep your soil moisture content in check as well as provide fresh air while removing excess humidity. Check out what we offer in the Bean Shop.