ALUSTECK® offers sturdy aluminium profiles that are durable, rustproof and easy to clean. Thanks to the modular plug-in system, you can design and adapt your terrarium individually.
Build Your Own Terrarium - DIY Building Instructions
The ALUSTECK® Principle simply explained
Custom-Made DIY Terrarium
With a self-built terrarium, you create a habitat for your animals – e.g., geckos, bearded dragons, snakes, or invertebrates – that precisely matches their needs in terms of climate, light, and structure. Thanks to appropriate ventilation, secure doors, and robust materials, the terrarium remains stable, easy to maintain, and animal-friendly.
Conveniently plan your terrarium in the configurator: define dimensions, height, and openings (e.g., sliding doors, ventilation areas) as desired – precisely fitting for your location and the species.
This building instruction shows you step-by-step how to build a custom-made terrarium yourself – from material selection, cutting, and assembly to safe equipment (heating, lighting, substrate).
Simple, cost-efficient, and quickly implemented – this is how an individual terrarium is created that optimally supports the keeping, care, and observation of your animals.
With this terrarium building guide, building your own terrarium becomes child's play. The terrarium is suitable for all types of reptiles. These include animals such as dwarf bearded dragons, dwarf geckos, chameleons, snakes, and many more.
- Up to 30%
discount - Professional
quality - Modular system
lightweight aluminium - Cutting
to size - Personal
contact - Affordable &
secure shipping
Products for building a terrarium
Easily configure materials for your kit online!
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm inner angle From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 T-connector 1 branch for 25x25x1.5mm square tubes T-connector 1 outlet €3.64*
Variants off €3.17*
From €3.17*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm versus 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm opposite From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Outlet 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €2.95*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Plastic profile Plastic U-profile custom-made from PVC / 8x6mm PVC U-profile / 8x6mm
From €2.01*
€2.01*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Way 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €8.13*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Connector 25×25 T-piece 25 x 25 mm connector square tube T-piece €3.45*
Variants off €2.98*
From €2.98*
Build your own Terrarium Step by Step
This ALUSTECK® terrarium building guide can be used for a tropical terrarium, forest terrarium, or as a desert terrarium and many more. You can design the interior according to your wishes with sand, plants, branches, an irrigation system, T5 fluorescent tubes and HQI spotlights, or water areas. Please also make sure to provide a habitat suitable for your reptile, such as water or land.
Build your own terrarium with ALUSTECK®
Building your own terrarium with a terrarium construction guide for ALUSTECK® terrarium construction is easy. This construction guide contains pictures, a parts list, and suitable accessory material for the construction setup using aluminum profiles and the specially developed tube connectors. Realizing a DIY terrarium is a good alternative for a custom home for your reptiles. In contrast to wooden terrariums or an Exo Terra glass terrarium, an aluminum terrarium has a significantly lower weight. Especially due to space reasons at the installation site, individual terrarium construction is the first choice for many terrarium enthusiasts.
Your big advantage with ALUSTECK® We cut all profiles to your specifications for you: You order everything in our online shop including connectors and receive a custom-made kit from us for assembly. Done!
Terrarium Construction Guide
The aluminum plug-in system consisting of aluminum square tubes and connectors is the basis as building material in this terrarium construction guide. The following construction guide shows you how to build a terrarium yourself in your desired dimensions. Here we offer the guide for the basic construction using aluminum profiles. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a waterfall guide or a construction guide for building a glass terrarium, such as from Exo Terra, as we specialize only in the "ALUSTECK®-System" topic.
At ALUSTECK® you order the material for your project like a kit, directly configured to your desired dimensions:
1. Step: Planning the Terrarium Construction
We would like to fulfill our users' wish for a terrarium construction guide for our aluminum plug-in system. Please plan everything in advance just as carefully as you would for building a house. It's best to take a sheet of paper, a pen, a ruler, and first make a drawing in the form of a sketch.
Additionally, you should create a material list with external accessories such as a back panel, Plexiglas sheets, or lighting, which you will later need for the interior finishing and cladding. This guide is for orientation only and can be adapted by you as needed. As these building instructions are a customer project, we assume no warranty or guarantee for their accuracy.
Do you have suggestions or additions to these terrarium building instructions or would you like to make your own project available to other terrarium enthusiasts? Then simply send us an email with a detailed description, sketches, and pictures. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you much success now!
2. Step: Select material for the terrarium
Important: Please note as a DIY enthusiast when using these terrarium building instructions for a reptile terrarium that the use of the 25mm connector elements suitable for 25x25mm aluminum profiles expands the dimensions of the fully assembled terrarium by 25mm per square tube connector with head in all axes!
3rd Step: Assembling the Terrarium
Anyone who, as a DIY enthusiast, wants to not just simply tinker with a terrarium for reptiles like bearded dragons, dwarf bearded dragons, dwarf geckos, or snakes, but truly implement it professionally, should possess the necessary manual skills. This terrarium building instruction can also be used for constructing an aquarium shelf. However, for cost reasons, careful planning and preparation are mandatory when starting out in terraristics for building your own terrarium.
The materials from our range
There are many good building instructions for terrarium racks for reptiles, and this terrarium building guide hopefully also offers a good insight into what you should pay particular attention to when constructing with an aluminum plug-in system, consisting of various aluminum profiles and connectors.
Supplementary building materials such as wood for the back wall or plexiglass for the side cladding can simply be cut to size at the hardware store. Subsequent modifications are also easily possible thanks to the modular plug-in system! Plan your terrarium very carefully before you start, just as you would plan a real house. Think of all the details and make sure you have the correct measurements. Then nothing stands in the way of successfully building a species-appropriate home for your reptiles, and it will bring you a lot of joy in building it yourself!
Important notes when building:
Please note: For DIY enthusiasts who want to get into terraristics and build a terrarium, it makes sense to start by building a simple terrarium setup.Choosing the appropriate plug-in system size:
The 25x25mm aluminum plug-in system is the best system size for building the terrarium. Other materials and components that are necessary in addition to the aluminum tubes and plastic tube connectors and are not mentioned in these building instructions must be sourced by yourself from various sources.
For an uncomplicated entry into terrarium construction, precisely cut to your desired dimensions directly by us for you, our inexpensive, high-quality products are particularly suitable. Further instructions, for example for aquarium racks or terrarium cabinets for reptiles such as bearded dragons, dwarf bearded dragons, dwarf geckos, or snakes, can be requested from us as a free download.
Parts list for building this project
Required parts list / materials for the terrarium
ALUSTECK® profiles
Item | Name | Variant | Item no. | Quantity |
1 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle | Length: 150 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-SI | 6 |
2 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle | Length: 400 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-SI | 4 |
3 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle | Length: 550 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-SI | 2 |
4 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle | Length: 725 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-SI | 2 |
5 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle | Length: 950 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-SI | 4 |
6 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm opposite | Length: 400 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-LR-SI | 2 |
7 | Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm opposite | Length: 950 mm, Cutting diagram: C | R-2DST-LR-SI | 2 |
8 | Plastic U-profile | Length: 400 mm, Cutting diagram: A | PR-U-K | 8 |
9 | Plastic U-profile | Length: 950 mm, Cutting diagram: A | PR-U-K | 8 |
ALUSTECK® connectors
Item | Name | Variant | Item no. | Quantity |
10 | T-connector 1 outlet | grey | 3D4V25-X1.5MK-RAL7035 | 2 |
11 | Right angle 1 outlet | grey | 3D3V25-X1.5MK-RAL7035 | 4 |
12 | Right angle 1 outlet | grey, with steel core and M8 thread | 3D3V25KS-M8-RAL7035 | 4 |
13 | T-piece | grey | 2D3V25X1.5MK-RAL7035 | 4 |
Pro-Tip: For a serious entry into terraristics, the acquisition of professional, suitable tools will definitely pay off in the long run! You will find the material for building a terrarium in our online shop, including a wide selection of accessories.
This building instruction for a terrarium is a customer project. For this reason, we cannot assume any liability for any errors. Further instructions can be downloaded free of charge under the section "Free Building Plans".
Products for building a terrarium
Easily configure materials for your kit online!
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm inner angle From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 T-connector 1 branch for 25x25x1.5mm square tubes T-connector 1 outlet €3.64*
Variants off €3.17*
From €3.17*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm versus 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm opposite From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Outlet 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €2.95*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Plastic profile Plastic U-profile custom-made from PVC / 8x6mm PVC U-profile / 8x6mm
From €2.01*
€2.01*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Way 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €8.13*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Connector 25×25 T-piece 25 x 25 mm connector square tube T-piece €3.45*
Variants off €2.98*
From €2.98*
Buy ready-made or do it yourself?
Anyone who wants to get a terrarium has certainly already asked themselves this question: Should I build my own terrarium or rather buy a ready-made one? The problem with ready-made terrariums is that they are unfortunately not available in all desirable sizes. A good guide with a terrarium construction drawing is worth its weight in gold. Do you perhaps need a terrarium that is very large or has very specific dimensions? The only way here is a DIY construction manual to realize a custom-made product. With the help of a terrarium construction drawing, as realized here in the example with the 3D program SketchUp, you have a great plan with dimensions of the individual lengths. The ideal material for the basic body is aluminum profiles for the construction and strong special connectors for easy connection of the tubes, which you can get from us directly cut to size.
Building Instructions as a Do-It-Yourself Solution
While some animal lovers keep pets like cats, hamsters, dogs, budgerigars, or guinea pigs, there are others who prefer reptiles. Exotic animals like snakes, lizards, or spiders require suitable accommodation in the form of terrariums. Although trade offers terrariums in all possible sizes and shapes ready for purchase, they are not always available in the desired dimensions and are also quite expensive. For those with some manual skill and technical understanding, our terrarium building instructions for DIY construction are ideal.
Terrarium building instructions are very practical. The internet offers a variety of reports and instructions for DIY construction. Forums, blogs, or do-it-yourself portals offer valuable tips for building terrariums yourself. We at ALUSTECK® have also published building instructions for a customer project here as a planning aid for you.
External Terraristics Accessories
You can find reptile accessories for terraristics and reptile supplies in many terraristics online shops. Just as an example, here is a provider with products for terrarium interior design ↗. However, there are many other providers on the internet with great offers for furnishing your terrarium.
Aluminum Profiles for Aluminum Terrariums
Building instructions for your own aluminum terrarium help enormously. If you want to build your terrarium yourself, then our products and these step-by-step instructions for an aluminum construction are an absolute must. With us, in addition to aluminum profiles cut to your desired dimensions, you also receive the corresponding construction plans for many constructions free of charge. In conjunction with these instructions, also use the construction plan for the ALUSTECK® terrarium base cabinet. We offer you a variety of building instructions for DIY construction with an aluminum plug-in system.
The DIY Aluminum Plug-in System from ALUSTECK®
The simply ingenious aluminum plug-in system for ALUSTECK® terrariums requires only a little manual skill and technical understanding. For the construction of your terrariums, simply choose the suitable aluminum profiles from our online shop assortment; we cut these to the exact millimeter for you. Additionally, choose the required connectors for tubes from our product range.
Reptile Terraristics – Terrarium Types
Whether as a terraristics beginner or a professional terrarium builder – a terrarium is always a topic that every terraristics enthusiast must deal with. No matter if it's a simple terrarium or a complete terrarium system. ALUSTECK® is in any case the ultimate, durable, and robust solution. Because even the professionals build with our system. Once the choice for the suitable reptile has been made, one must deal with the type of terrarium and appropriate housing.
Snake Terrarium
In the case of a snake, it's then about a suitable snake terrarium. Anyone who isn't all thumbs and has average craftsmanship skills should not face any major obstacles when building a snake terrarium.
Bearded Dragons Terrarium
Build a Bearded Dragon Terrarium with free animal cage building instructions including drawings, material list and assembly instructions for ALUSTECK® terrariums. The building instructions explain how to build a bearded dragon terrarium in simple steps. It only requires some manual skill and, of course, the right material. This terrarium is a good alternative to wooden terrariums or an Exo Terra glass terrarium. Even a bearded dragon terrarium customized to your desired dimensions is easily possible with these building instructions.
Building a terrarium for bearded dragons yourself is the ideal solution for a custom-made bearded dragon terrarium. With our free instructions, all terrarium DIY enthusiasts will be able to easily build a terrarium for bearded dragons themselves. The building instructions contain important tips, as well as drawings, a material list and the construction plan for the basic terrarium structure.
The DIY terrarium construction with ALUSTECK® is interesting for both DIY enthusiasts and professionals. The simple guide for DIY terrarium construction explains step by step what you should consider when building your own terrarium. From planning to the bill of materials. With many drawings and illustrations for building a terrarium construction.
The Most Important Furnishings for Your Terrarium
If you own a terrarium or plan to set one up, it is crucial to consider your animal's needs and create a suitable environment. In this article, we present essential items that will help you create an optimal home for your animal. From lighting and water sources to thermometers and plants - discover how you can best equip the terrarium to meet your animal's needs and well-being:
- Lighting: Ensure sufficient light in your terrarium, not only to observe your terrarium inhabitants but also to create a well-lit habitat. Cold-blooded animals, for example, need a strong UV lamp under which they can bask. Make sure to protect the lamp with a grid to prevent burns.
- Water:Ensure your animal has access to fresh water. Some animals enjoy bathing and therefore require sufficiently large water bowls. The number and size of water containers can also control the humidity in the terrarium. Choose water bowls that are functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- Thermo- and Hygrometer: Monitor the humidity and temperature in your terrarium with a clearly visible thermo- and hygrometer. This allows you to ensure that the conditions for your animal are optimal.
- Heating: Most heat-loving pets only feel comfortable at a certain temperature. For this reason, heating is often required in the terrarium. You can use heated stones, heating mats, or heat lamps to regulate the temperature and create a comfortable environment for your animal.
- Plants: Plants give the terrarium a natural atmosphere and provide additional hiding places. Make sure that the selected plants are non-toxic and correspond to your animal's natural habitat.
When setting up your terrarium, consider the specific needs of your animal and inform yourself thoroughly beforehand. Each animal has different requirements, so it is important to create a suitable environment that corresponds to its natural behavior and needs.
Products for building a terrarium
Easily configure materials for your kit online!
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm inside angle 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm inner angle From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 T-connector 1 branch for 25x25x1.5mm square tubes T-connector 1 outlet €3.64*
Variants off €3.17*
From €3.17*
Alu square tube 25×25 Aluminum profile 2 double webs 10 mm versus 25 x 25 mm square tube 2 double webs 10 mm opposite From €14.40*
Variants off €11.86*
From €11.86*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Outlet 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €2.95*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Plastic profile Plastic U-profile custom-made from PVC / 8x6mm PVC U-profile / 8x6mm
From €2.01*
€2.01*
Connector 25×25 Right Angle 1 Way 25x25mm Connector Square Tube Right angle 1 outlet €8.13*
Variants off €2.67*
From €2.67*
Connector 25×25 T-piece 25 x 25 mm connector square tube T-piece €3.45*
Variants off €2.98*
From €2.98*
How individually our customers build:
FAQ: Build your own terrarium
Yes, thanks to the plug-in system you can rebuild or enlarge your terrarium at any time. This way you can adapt it optimally to the needs of your animals or to a new location.
Yes, the sturdy aluminium profiles ensure a high load capacity and a secure construction. Even larger terrariums for snakes, lizards or turtles can be realised with them without any problem.
Glass, acrylic glass or wooden panels with ventilation grilles are common materials for terrarium walls. Depending on the type of animal, care should be taken to ensure good ventilation and insulation.
Ventilation grilles on opposite sides allow a constant exchange of air. Especially in tropical terrariums, sufficient air circulation is important to prevent mould from forming.
The lighting depends on the animals, but UV lamps, heat emitters and LED light strips are often useful. A combination of light and heat zones creates a natural climate in the terrarium.
Yes, many self-built terrariums use sliding doors made of glass or acrylic glass. They save space and make cleaning and feeding easy.
More interesting projects
Disclaimer:
All projects and information are for inspiration only. We do not provide any legally binding information regarding construction and implementation. All constructions you undertake with ALUSTECK® are your responsibility. Please check your construction yourself for statics and correctness accordingly.
For the information mentioned above, ALUSTECK® assumes no liability or warranty for the correctness of the construction, for statics, and for the usual wear and tear of the goods, as well as for defects or damages of any kind arising from incorrect application or negligent handling or operation, or extraordinary use.
