Uploaded June 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Here’s a great project to involve the kids in- it’s the Frogarium! The Frogarium is a terrarium with a twist. By adding water to the bottom, we can not only keep our plants healthy, but we can also create the perfect environment for our tree frog.
Materials Needed:
- glass habitat for reptiles (with lid)- may be called a “Lizard Lounge”
- sub-sand filter to fit the habitat
- tropical plant of your choice (ex: Philodendron)
- potting soil
- several rocks, all of the same thickness (between 1-2 inches tall)
- sphagnum moss
- several thin, flat stones
- submersible pump and hose to fit the pump
- filter floss (available at most pet stores)
Tools Needed:
- small trowel - amzn.to/2U4Z8wR
- hacksaw - amzn.to/2zMZj9r
STEPS TO CREATE A FROGARIUM
Step1
Create your platform. First, using a hacksaw, cut off a section of your sub-sand filter. Invert the filter and place it of three level rocks on the bottom surface of the tank. Next, insert the hose through one of the holes in the sub-sand filter; leaving plenty of slack to reach the front of the platform.
Using filter floss, plug up any holes in the platform which will allow soil to fall through. Connect your submersible pump to the section of hose beneath the platform, and run your power cord though the appropriate hole to the outside of the tank.
Using several flat rocks, build a dam to hold the soil on place. Also lay your hose to the edge of the platform (This will create a waterfall effect). You may have to weight down your hose with several pieces of rock.
Step2
Add the soil, place the plant. Next, add enough potting soil to the platform to accommodate your tropical plant. Place your plant.
Step3
Add sphagnum. After your finish planting, moisten some sphagnum moss and place it over the soil’s surface. The moss will help the plants conserve moisture, add aesthetic value to the frogarium, and will keep your frog’s feet clean.
Step4
Add the water. When your Frogarium is complete, move it to it’s final destination before adding the water. With the water, the frogarium will be very heavy. When adding water, be careful not to disrupt the soil. When the water level is near the bottom of the platform, stop filling. Plug in your pump so you can test and adjust the waterfall.
Step5
Add your frog. All that’s left now is adding your frog. The frogarium you created will provide a jungle environment for your frog. One more thing- don’t forget to put the lid on.
MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE
The Great Outdoors with Joe Sherinski:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejiksPCxa2DTFANK-gz52xN
Featured videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eiqktEDbaQunVDuiTidxPxd
Great DIY Projects from Your New House:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejNSy9ywo1mKiGaSXuTsEgE
Quick Tips - easy tips to make your projects (and life) better:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eh4zI-dJCevBTEdY5ioSAPQ
Gardening and Landscaping:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejdcWzNkAARBzUQDvT3W1ME
Adventures in Homebuilding - Home info with a smile:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehA9bTrvQ58AHfE_utaBCLc
Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eisLdRjyue3eVZT-qjM9B6I
Factory Tours and Product Testing:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ej6wLU1NAVlWhcvVWL1ynJQ
Al Carrell - The Super Handyman:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehFhy7mXnyX_pe4v03DrqfS
Here’s a great project to involve the kids in- it’s the Frogarium! The Frogarium is a terrarium with a twist. By adding water to the bottom, we can not only keep our plants healthy, but we can also create the perfect environment for our tree frog.
Materials Needed:
- glass habitat for reptiles (with lid)- may be called a “Lizard Lounge”
- sub-sand filter to fit the habitat
- tropical plant of your choice (ex: Philodendron)
- potting soil
- several rocks, all of the same thickness (between 1-2 inches tall)
- sphagnum moss
- several thin, flat stones
- submersible pump and hose to fit the pump
- filter floss (available at most pet stores)
Tools Needed:
- small trowel - amzn.to/2U4Z8wR
- hacksaw - amzn.to/2zMZj9r
STEPS TO CREATE A FROGARIUM
Step1
Create your platform. First, using a hacksaw, cut off a section of your sub-sand filter. Invert the filter and place it of three level rocks on the bottom surface of the tank. Next, insert the hose through one of the holes in the sub-sand filter; leaving plenty of slack to reach the front of the platform.
Using filter floss, plug up any holes in the platform which will allow soil to fall through. Connect your submersible pump to the section of hose beneath the platform, and run your power cord though the appropriate hole to the outside of the tank.
Using several flat rocks, build a dam to hold the soil on place. Also lay your hose to the edge of the platform (This will create a waterfall effect). You may have to weight down your hose with several pieces of rock.
Step2
Add the soil, place the plant. Next, add enough potting soil to the platform to accommodate your tropical plant. Place your plant.
Step3
Add sphagnum. After your finish planting, moisten some sphagnum moss and place it over the soil’s surface. The moss will help the plants conserve moisture, add aesthetic value to the frogarium, and will keep your frog’s feet clean.
Step4
Add the water. When your Frogarium is complete, move it to it’s final destination before adding the water. With the water, the frogarium will be very heavy. When adding water, be careful not to disrupt the soil. When the water level is near the bottom of the platform, stop filling. Plug in your pump so you can test and adjust the waterfall.
Step5
Add your frog. All that’s left now is adding your frog. The frogarium you created will provide a jungle environment for your frog. One more thing- don’t forget to put the lid on.
MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE
The Great Outdoors with Joe Sherinski:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejiksPCxa2DTFANK-gz52xN
Featured videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eiqktEDbaQunVDuiTidxPxd
Great DIY Projects from Your New House:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejNSy9ywo1mKiGaSXuTsEgE
Quick Tips - easy tips to make your projects (and life) better:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eh4zI-dJCevBTEdY5ioSAPQ
Gardening and Landscaping:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejdcWzNkAARBzUQDvT3W1ME
Adventures in Homebuilding - Home info with a smile:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehA9bTrvQ58AHfE_utaBCLc
Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eisLdRjyue3eVZT-qjM9B6I
Factory Tours and Product Testing:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ej6wLU1NAVlWhcvVWL1ynJQ
Al Carrell - The Super Handyman:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehFhy7mXnyX_pe4v03DrqfS
