Your Guide to Building Thriving Ecosystems

Whether you're building your first terrarium or upgrading to a bioactive vivarium, we're here to help — every step of the way.

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What Are You Building?

Choose your enclosure type to get started.

Illustration of a dry desert terrarium setup

Terrarium

Dry, land-based setups for desert-dwelling reptiles and hardy plants. Sand, rocks, and warmth.

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Illustration of a lush tropical rainforest vivarium

Vivarium

Lush tropical ecosystems with high humidity, live plants, and bioactive substrates. The full rainforest experience.

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Illustration of a paludarium with waterfalls and land

Paludarium

The best of both worlds — land and water in one enclosure. Waterfalls, aquatic plants, and shoreline habitats.

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Illustration of a riparium with emergent water plants

Riparium

Mostly water with emergent plants breaking the surface. Recreate riverbanks and shorelines at home.

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Why Vivarium Buddy?

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Built for Beginners

No jargon, no gatekeeping. Just clear, friendly guides from someone who's been there.

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Science-Backed Care

Every recommendation is grounded in real husbandry knowledge. Your animals and plants deserve the best.

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Honest Recommendations

We only recommend products we'd actually use. No filler lists, no paid placements.

Latest from the Blog

Vivarium vs. Terrarium: What's the Real Difference?

These terms get thrown around interchangeably, but they mean different things. Here's a clear breakdown.

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The Best Isopods for Your Vivarium (And Why You Need Them)

Isopods are the unsung heroes of bioactive setups. We break down the top species and where to find them.

Read Article →