A properly set-up vivarium is the foundation of a healthy and stress-free life for your reptile. Whether you’re housing a bearded dragon, gecko, or corn snake, getting the habitat right from the start ensures comfort, safety, and species-specific care.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up a reptile vivarium, from choosing the right substrate to creating perfect basking zones and humidity levels.
What You’ll Need to Set Up a Reptile Vivarium
Before you begin, gather your essentials:
- Enclosure (glass terrarium or wooden vivarium)
- Heating system (heat lamp, mat, or ceramic heater)
- UVB lighting (if required for the species)
- Thermometers and hygrometers
- Substrate (based on species needs)
- Hides, branches, basking rocks
- Water bowl or dish
- Misting bottle or fogger (for tropical species)
- Enclosure-safe décor and plants
Explore our full range of reptile housing to find the ideal vivarium for your setup.
Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Enclosure
Always clean your new vivarium before introducing your pet. Use a reptile-safe disinfectant and rinse thoroughly to remove any residues or dust.
Make sure:
- Electrical ports and vents are working properly
- Doors, locks, and seals function correctly
- You place the enclosure in a draft-free, stable-temperature location
Step 2: Add the Substrate
Choose a substrate appropriate for your reptile:
- Leopard Geckos: Paper towels, reptile carpet, or fine-grade sand
- Bearded Dragons: Loose desert substrates or calcium-based sands
- Crested Geckos: Coconut coir, bioactive soil, or bark chips
- Snakes: Aspen shavings, paper, or cypress mulch
Spread evenly and ensure enough depth for burrowing if needed.
Want to go bioactive? Visit our bioactive collection for soils, clean-up crew, and more.
Step 3: Install Heating & Lighting
Correct temperature gradients are vital. Set up:
- Basking area on one side using a heat lamp or ceramic bulb
- Cool zone on the opposite side
- Thermostat to regulate heating
- UVB lighting if required for calcium metabolism (e.g. for bearded dragons)
Place thermometers at both ends of the enclosure to monitor temperatures.
Get heating essentials from our reptile heating collection and lighting collection.
Step 4: Add Décor, Hides & Climbing Features
Now it’s time to make the space feel like home. Include:
- At least two hides (warm and cool side)
- Branches and vines for climbing species
- Flat rocks or shelves for basking
- Live or artificial plants for cover and humidity control
Shop naturalistic additions in our reptile decoration and live plants collections.
Step 5: Set Up Water & Humidity
Place a shallow water dish in the enclosure, away from heat sources to prevent rapid evaporation.
For humidity-sensitive species (like geckos or frogs):
- Mist daily with a spray bottle or
- Use a fogger or automatic misting system
Use a hygrometer to monitor levels, and consider adding moss or moist hides if needed.
Browse humidity and misting tools for tropical setups.
Step 6: Test Everything Before Introducing Your Pet
Let your setup run for 24–48 hours before adding your reptile. This allows:
- Temperature and humidity to stabilize
- Lighting timers and thermostats to be fine-tuned
- You to observe for any safety or functionality issues
Check your gradient: is the basking zone warm enough? Is the cool side safe? Is humidity holding where it should?
Step 7: Add Your Reptile
Once everything is tested and working, gently introduce your pet into its new environment. Give them a few days to acclimate with minimal handling.
Keep a close eye on:
- Eating and basking behavior
- Thermometer and hygrometer readings
- Cleanliness and water levels
Bonus: Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
- Spot clean daily (remove waste and uneaten food)
- Change water daily
- Deep clean monthly with reptile-safe disinfectant
- Replace substrate as needed
A well-maintained vivarium promotes a healthy, long-lived reptile.
Ready to Build the Perfect Habitat?
Setting up your reptile vivarium properly is the first step to successful reptile keeping. Shop our curated collections of reptile housing, heating, lighting, and bioactive accessories to create the perfect home for your scaly friend.
