All About Terrarium False Bottoms (Purpose & Methods)

The False Bottom (aka Drainage Layer or Riparian Layer) is arguably one of the most important aspects of a terrarium. This layer is the foundation of your terrarium. Strong foundations lead to strong results and weak foundations lead to weak results.
That said, you typically see me use the Mesh Barrier False Bottom (w/ Window Screen Mesh). From personal experience I have found it to be one of, if not the best method. However, you DO NOT have to use this method. I understand that a lot of you don't have access to the materials that I use or want to try alternatives.
This video expounds upon the methods that I have found to be the most successful. If you are resourceful you can alter these methods to you specific needs or limitations. As long as the principals and techniques are understood, then you are golden. Not only will your terrarium have a strong foundation, but you will as well! :)
Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to every single method. So whichever False Bottom you choose to make is totally up to you.
If you have any questions or topic you'd like me to cover in the future, let me know in the comments section below. If you liked this video, please give it a big thumbs up!
You can also follow me @serpadesign on Instagram for more content like this.

[@SerpaDesign]

Well without any further delay, I'm back! I have had a lot of things happen in the past few weeks that stopped me from using KZbin. I am really sorry for the absence, but it was all out of my hands. My next vlog which will drop on Saturday or Sunday will go over the details. I will also address all of the comments starting tonight or tomorrow morning. If I didn't address your question(s) I wasn't ignoring you. Anyways, I'm back at it with another highly requested video! I get a ton of questions about false bottoms and this video pretty much addresses them all. Taking the time to create a proper false bottom is extremely important. This is the foundation of your terrarium and strong foundations lead to strong results. So if you haven’t already, take your false bottom (drainage layer or riparian layer) to the next level! See the video description for more info as well. Thanks for watching and I will be back very soon! Also if you liked this video, I would appreciate a big thumbs up! :)

[@AvisNotHere]

SerpaDesign glad to see you back mate ✌

[@SerpaDesign]

About half of them were made specifically for this video to better explain what I'm talking about. The others were already around.

[@nuggetmaster05]

SerpaDesign some of my mosses in my moss container were turning brown, so I inspected the moss container to see what was wrong. I found that the taller growing mosses were turning brown because when I spray the moss, the water doesn't get to the bottom of the moss clumps, but more importantly, i found several tiny white bugs crawling around under the moss when i lifted it up. I am pretty sure they are springtails. It looked like they were eating the small bits of mold that grew under the moss, as well as the dead, rotting moss. I have noticed they are only under the mosses that are growing at the top, but dead on the bottom. they also burrow under ground and jump when I try to catch one. I eventually captured one and took a picture. If they are springtails, how do I keep them alive? I believe that they came inside the moss I ordered online and were stowed away under the "roots".

[@SerpaDesign]

Yeah those are springtails for sure. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWi4mH58qbidepI

[@nuggetmaster05]

SerpaDesign Ok thanks. Your videos are very well made and very informative. Keep up the good work. 🖒☺

[@rbartylla]

I used gravel from the $ store for my drainage element. It comes in a white plastic fine mesh bag. I used the mesh bag as my false bottom. Literally a 2for1!

[@SerpaDesign]

Haha I actually used those same rocks in the video!

[@rbartylla]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing your wealth of information with viewers.

[@TheTroutyness]

Do they still sell those there?

[@ilTHfeaa]

Dollar store gravel or gravel for fish tanks is my go to for false bottoms haha

[@pat7785]

Made my first terrarium today

[@christimnorton7730]

Leroy Sinclair nice what's inside

[@vogelkonigin3303]

Leroy Sinclair pic? 😊 also can you decide how you made it?

[@Kraakaroni]

Is it still alive?

[@bobeardington4044]

Are you still alive?

[@jasonwilder9373]

Rip

[@mypawfectfamily]

I love all your videos So professional and informative Your videos are all very well edited and a I can tell you take a lot of time and pride in making these I don't think I have ever seen a bad video from you! Thanks for keeping up the amazing work

[@rorolonglegs4594]

agreed

[@kchstudiophx9843]

Agreed

[@howlinallen7720]

Agreed

[@LiTTLeDizZyUriNe]

Agreed

[@kapishagrawal790]

I'm not someone who gets his hands dirty or works with plants, but, Got very inspired by your videos and did my first one today. Thank you very much for the superb videos and guidance

[@infinitydragon5168]

Hey dude! I've learned soooo much from you! I'm a chef that runs a historic boutique hotel in Niagara Falls Canada . Come for a vacation and I'll set you up huge!!!! You rock dude!! Cheers Jesse

[@abrahamortiz7134]

Hell yeah! Get a few tereniums

[@amitjg79]

Amazing explanation... no complex jargons... thanks a ton serpadesign...

[@seraphhis1004]

You seem to be very committed to your terrariums!! Thank you for being so dedicated and making such helpful videos.

[@melaniewallace1403]

Your time and effort that goes into making these videos is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Very insightful.

[@ViciousSorrell]

I have always loved terrariums. Both my grandmothers had them. They were big in the 70's. Thank you so much for your love of these neat little biospheres!

[@TheApocalypsePals]

Can't thank you enough for this video but I'm sure all of your viewers feel the same way! I've taught so many friends how to do this and sent them right to your channel. Keep up the great work and I can't wait for your vlog! Thanks again!

[@nw649]

You do a great job of showing people how to do this without breaking the bank unless they want to.

[@charenethornton6430]

Thank you so much for this very comprehensive information. I’’m planning to make three - two gallon terrariums for gifts and have researched this topic extensively to the point of overload. The last thing I want is for my gifts to fail and this will definitely help. You explained each method pros and cons perfectly!

[@01MrCapricorn]

As always, great work! Looking very pro. Plus your obvious passion for this really comes thru. Looking forward to the next one!

[@c_farther5208]

I just love your videos, you explain every question as it pops into my head. Genius and great personality.

[@AndrewLevBirding]

This cleared up a lot of my questions. Great video.

[@Belgarath0]

I'm not sure what I watched before I discovered your channel 45mins ago, but thank you Bruv, this is Grade A watching! I learn, and I'm entertained!

[@majesticwolfdesigns8621]

I have watched alot of videos you have made and I love them so I decided to redo my 5foot tall 4foot long 2feet deep tank into a vivarium I'm not done with it yet but I am getting there and it's all because I watched your videos so thank you so much for that and you do a fantastic job at explaining everything and how it works keep up the great work and keep these videos coming 🤙

[@Silverwolf387]

I'm planning on making my first terrarium soon and I find your videos very informative and very clear instructions on how to make the bottoms. I can't wait to get started.

Great video which answered every question I had about the false bottom part of terrariums. Thanks for always providing educational content. 👍

[@vogelkonigin3303]

Great video! I always make my terrariums starting with a layer of fake sand(sold at most dollar stores in my different colors, homemade wood charcoal, fish tank pebbles (also sold at most dollar stores) then I add my soil which I also usually buy at the dollar store. So far this has worked for me and has saved me a lot of money to enjoy this hobby. I use fake sand because its not as tightly compact as real sand and the grains of sand are larger. it allows water to go into it better than real sand. (i make native terrariums or grow things from seeds bought at dollar stores)

[@SerpaDesign]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! They do have some pretty decent stuff at the dollar store for sure.

[@kingjahad5473]

Wow, your videos are really good, it contains so much information that is extremely useful for me. Keep it up man, well done!

[@YesItis1776]

This is the BEST channel for information on terrariums!

[@aliciathomas2448]

Hi I want you to know that I can not get tired of listening to you and watching your videos. thanks T.

[@kekambas79]

Enjoyed watching this DETAILED video! So educational. Thank you for putting this video together!!

[@paigemcfayden6715]

I've been searching for a educational video like this for my terrariums and I'd just like to say thanks because I learned everything I was searching for 😃

[@kasjfkjluhsdfa]

Thank you for this. Your videos are really excellent. I always learn something new, and I don't feel that my time is being wasted because you keep it succinct and to the point. Well done! I'm off to buy supplies to make a whole bunch of terrariums :-) Can't wait!

[@markc9581]

Stoked you're stoked and looking forward to watching your're creative magic!

[@laughingc0w]

Really like your vids! You make it look so easy and are comprehensive in your explanations. Thank you!

[@yona-yama]

I love your videos! So glad I found you. I'm working on making my first bioactive setups for my snakes, and your videos are very informative and pleasant to listen too. I will admit I listen to it at 1.5x speed because I'm impatient... 😄 I had no idea learning about bios would help with my succs, but it's interesting how certain hobbies converge. I've not had luck with a false bottom succ terrarium. But my house is super cold so maybe that's why. Thanks to you, I'm going to try again with a faster draining soil and a deeper false bottom.

[@Lastman737]

Thanks for the great videos! Free info that's entertaining and well made. Props man.👊

[@lamcb.9476]

Thank you very much for this video. I plan on filling this second hand terrarium with local plants like you covered in an earlier video, for an art project. I really hope it works out

[@zooker7938]

This video was so helpful in my planning to set up a bioactive gecko vivarium! Until I watched this, I was unsure what a false bottom was, why it is needed or exactly how to make one. I feel so enlightened!

[@BrunoFinger]

Thank you. I am about to start making my first terrarium today. The girl from the store told me I needed to put charcoal at the bottom but I noticed none of their terraria used a false bottom. I wondered if I should use it at all then as you mentioned on another video not everyone knows about false bottoms. The last part of the video clarified it and I'm glad now I got the charcoal too. Thanks

[@connorturpin5696]

I had never been interested in this sort of thing before and then I randomly found this video. Now I'm trying to figure out if my local garden store has the micro plants and thinking of where I'd get a few small glass phials and charcoal. Congratulations, you've earned another longtime sub. This is fanastic!

[@ArthurRussell-kb6wr]

Hi. I have watched several of your video's, but this one explaines where I didn't know the reasons for the false bottom , the separation layer etc. I thank you for the enlightenment

[@donowls7766]

Wow that was SO informative thank the Gods for people .asking videos like you!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Very good information, and cleared up some of my questions!

[@AussieAquatic]

Making my first terrarium now. Fantastic information!!!

[@jage5256]

Hi Tanner. I finished my two terrariums. They look great. I'll email to u today. Thanks for all the help. The big one the screen mesh fell in so some dirt got in the false bottom. But the smaller one I did better. I just bought a window screen and cut out my pieces with a cutter. Worked well and easy to cut. Next time u will buy the screen have the roll. I used rocks from Wally and everything else from there.

[@loefoto2824]

i've been watching your channel for so long! now that we're in quarantine I finally have the motivation to make a jar terrarium :D thanks

[@susanboyd1422]

This was very helpful in making my first terrarium. Thank you.

[@rosskappa5410]

Thank you for watching ? Thank you for making this video first,dude. Seriously this helps me a lot . You giving away all your experiences easily like this for others works for me but i also recommend you that you keep some secrets so you dont get your job taken away from others :D . I dont think that its likely cause you are very good but i hope you are earning what you deserve from these videos too.

[@baileydoesthings2945]

:D

[@dangerine73]

super helpful! i'm just starting this hobby. thank you!

[@andrewkurniawanhalim359]

This really helped on my school project, thanks

[@McGeek_NLD]

Great explanation! Love your video's. Started to build my own bottle terrariums 😃

[@AGuyYouKnow]

You have a real talent.. You're awesome and well done!

[@Katie-hj5eb]

Root rot was something I always got when I grew in my hydroponic greenhouse. I bet having the drainage layer would have stopped that, thanks!

[@robertreid9955]

I can't tell you how many times I've Reference this video thank you!

[@mjjayful]

Absolutely brilliant, so much useful information. Thanks!

[@corteltube]

I really like all the alternative ideas you give.

[@debramacwilliam7130]

This video is gold for a beginner like me!

[@txgemini1979]

Thank you for making this video. Very informative!! I learned a lot from watching it.

[@kierankieran7507]

your videos help me stress less

[@robzizou5]

I'm glad you're back Tanner! Hope to see the results of the July contest soon Lol...keep up the good work & great video about false bottoms!

[@SerpaDesign]

Good to be back and they will be published next Saturday!

[@robzizou5]

SerpaDesign Great! Thank you for replying.

[@JMemski]

this is exactly what I was looking for and I watch you regularly... I've been googling how I could substitute mesh and wondered if spagnum moss would work. as always, informative and I'm very grateful for all your time and effort ^.^

[@kennedycamarena4998]

This channel just keeps getting better and better! I’m a huge whites tree frog fan, I only own one at the time in a 13 gallon bio tank. For Christmas my dad got me a 75 gallon tank, as excited as I am because I love keeping frogs and building these Vivariums, I plan on putting at least 4 in this huge tank. I’m so worried I’m going to make a mistake building my first big Vivarium. 😂 This channel is a life saver for this reason, thank you SerpaDesign!!

[@lifeinslowmotion7336]

Your videos are great! Very informative!

[@AnneStanDesigns]

very helpful and very informative...thanks so much

[@brittanymacedo3522]

Best explanation video. Thank you.

[@Melokaliju]

Love you for your videos! Simply love your work and how you present it. Such a lovely style! Please go on doing this :-)

[@fiiamanillah555]

This is very helpful. Thank you so much brother

[@SalmonBoa420]

Keep up the stellar vids bro!

[@migueltorres6924]

I’m thinking about making one thank you for all the info definitely subscribing.

[@crafts33]

Awesome information! Thank you!😀

[@RebelCowgirl01]

This is such a helpful video!! Thank you!!! ❤ 😎

[@Sam-ul4zq]

So well explained

[@hanekochan]

Amazing video. After watching some videos in yt, as well as yours, I couldn't understand or more so, decide, which one to use and how will it impact in the future of the terrarium I want to make. So this made me decide to a 100% level ! :D

[@briannaboughner637]

you should do a carnivorous plant terrarium if you haven't already!

[@SerpaDesign]

I will at some point. It is probably the highest requested video that I have yet to address.

[@lexishamstercare6260]

Ban Bou I used to have a Venus fly trap.... it died

[@briannaboughner637]

SerpaDesign awesome! thanks for the reply :)

[@briannaboughner637]

Lexi's Hamster Care omg lmao rip - I wanna buy one so bad

[@16Sin7]

I have a carnivorous terrarium but im an amateur at this so it would be great to see a proper one being made

[@bird7336]

Hey, I think your videos are very helpful and enjoyable. In what kind of store can I find a small-sized mesh barrier? So far I have only been able to find actual window screens that are way too big and expensive.

[@essebrunoai]

Very informative videos! Big fan. What do you think about using a sponge (bath) for separating the soil from the stones?

[@kchstudiophx9843]

Another great explanation and general video 👍🌚

[@corteltube]

Great video...good explanation and information.

[@Benjamin-wr2sd]

your videos are so helpful man

[@madilynpowell1167]

So helpful, thank you!

[@jagritibhatt]

Very nice tips !! Thx for sharing

[@jage5256]

Tanner, u got me hooked. I bought a large round open vase. I have my screen ( which I gonna cut it the shape of the bottom of the vase,y moss which I soak first then add to my dirt and of course the rock bottom. No wonder when o make these they stink? Now I also add the charcoal from the pet Dept and my 5 plants. 2 will be spider ( I have lots growing with tons of babies plus another diff kind of spider a teeny Vine and a pink and green vane plant. I'll let u know how it comes out!🤗

[@missfatiha7099]

very helpful and useful. I aporeciate

[@heruhcanedean]

Hey, I'm wanting to make a few sealed terrariums so I binge watched your videos this week. I have a couple questions that you'll probably be able to answer to help me out. The first question is about false bottoms. Is lava rock a good media to use? I have buckets of 3/4 and smaller that I use for weed control in my gardens. The other is you say to not use fertilizer if you use live animals, does this include aged horse manure, garden lime, potash and bone meal? I want to use springtails (learned from you), earthworms and dwarf isopods. The soil I use for gardening is a mix of compost and horse poo, a little lime to help with ph, and a little of the other 2 to help the plants, and this is the mix I was going to use. Yesterday I found 4 tree frogs and a toad in my greenhouse and my soil doesn't seem to bother them, but it's not sealed. Also will those critters live together? Thank you for making all this content, I really did learn a lot from you.

[@aeneas1677]

very informative video! I was wondering if a plastic coated nylon mesh would do the trick?

[@rebel1980warrior]

Superb video! Thank you.

[@drezdogge]

Another satisfying video!

[@baileydoesthings2945]

Yep.

[@srubin84]

Hi, first want to say that your videos are great! I have started getting into the terrarium hobby. I created a closed terrarium in a wardian case. Instead of window mesh I used filter floss to cover my false bottom. I'm planning to also put springtails into the terrarium but am worried that the they will not be able to live with on filter mesh. Would you happen to know if I need to redo my terrarium with mesh or can I keep the filter floss?

[@tonmoysaikia]

Thank you so much 😊

[@caleb.7166]

Thx for the vid

[@papimami5360]

Great explanation,

[@jr.freeallday5152]

Great vid! Earned a new subscriber!!🙌🙌🙌

[@sonoffalco3773]

I poured charcoal in then coated it in black sand to help make it look like a far more solid layer. I also added some gravel to put more spacing in it. Its a 6 gal terrarium for a tarantula

[@zizisze]

Very helpful thank you

[@YesItis1776]

I love this channel!

[@UmamiPapi]

Thank you!

[@rizqyhijriyanto7439]

thank you so much

[@V1rUsH1tO]

Thanks for your interesting video, i have a doubt what if i decide to make a terrarium sealed with any kind of false bottom maybe pebbles not charcoal would it be the same thing i mean the cicle.

[@thewrongmechanism]

i love your videos so much

[@AliRadicali]

I don't think using a decomposing material for the mesh necessarily dooms the setup in the long run. For one, the substrate tends to consolidate into a semi-solid mass over time as water passes through it and gravity does its thing. What's more, as your plants grow their root systems will further help bind the substrate into a solid unit. Anyone who has repotted a plant before will have noticed this phenomenon.

[@jeremibren5565]

Awesome n great info

[@TheJLAMAR23]

Great video!!!

[@jivejunior8753]

I have a question about the activated charcoal. What prevents it from being "filled up" with contaminants? Do you have to replace it occasionally?

[@cjvilleneuve1566]

thanks man !

[@mushlove6933]

love the vids! have you ever thought of selling some terrariums and making some sort of company where you give steps to keep it alive, etc etc? that would be cool for beginner terrarium hobbyists!

[@SerpaDesign]

Eventually this platform will be something like that, but I just don't have the resources and space at the moment.

[@mushlove6933]

SerpaDesign good to hear! you have a big future ahead