Bringing Nature Indoors—Custom Bioactive Enclosures for Homes and Businesses
From tiny jar-sized terraria to expansive, statement installations, our custom bioactive enclosures are living works of art. Each one is a self-regulating ecosystem designed to thrive with minimal intervention—ideal for home environments or commercial spaces seeking a captivating, low-maintenance alternative to traditional decor.
bioactive
adjective | \ ˌbī-ˈak-tiv \An ecosystem-based enclosure that incorporates live plants, beneficial microorganisms, and detritivores (such as springtails and isopods) to create a self-regulating, natural environment where waste is broken down and nutrients are recycled, promoting the health and well-being of the enclosure’s inhabitants.
For Individuals: Unique, Personal, Alive
Want something lush and strange for your bookshelf, windowsill, or coffee table? Whether you’re filling a forgotten corner or bringing a little mystery into your living space, we’ll collaborate to design something utterly one-of-a-kind. These living ecosystems can be subtle or bold, rustic or refined—always tailored to your space, your sense of style, and your preferred species, from mosses to isopods to full invertebrate microcosms.
We also create species-specific vivaria for reptiles, amphibians, and other pets, ensuring their environmental and behavioral needs are met through thoughtful, naturalistic habitat design. Naturalistic setups promote well-being by encouraging animals to express natural behaviors like burrowing, climbing, and foraging.
We offer:
- Jar, bowl, and cloche-style terraria
- Wall-mounted or hanging installations
- Glass-fronted cabinet ecosystems
All designs are bioactive and rely on microfauna, mosses, and detritivores to manage natural processes of decomposition and renewal with minimal upkeep.
For Businesses: Living Art That Works as Hard as You Do
Tired of that old, difficult fish tank in your office? Or maybe the space just needs something more alive than a plastic plant. We offer custom installations for professional spaces that enhance ambiance without adding extra work. Terrariums can serve as grounding elements in lobbies, waiting rooms, therapy offices, cafes, and more.
Our commercial offerings are:
- Aesthetically striking and professionally installed
- Designed for durability and ease of care
- Built as low-maintenance, self-regulating ecosystems
We do not include reptiles, amphibians, or other vertebrates in commercial displays intended to be low-maintenance. For clients interested in living animals, we offer a separate consultation process focused on vivaria designed for long-term animal care. Invertebrates such as isopods and springtails are included by default; additional fauna, such as small millipedes, are available depending on the goals of the installation.
Let your environment speak for itself. Terrariums offer a serene, elegant alternative to aquariums—no filtration systems, no loud equipment, and no daily feeding required.
We also convert existing aquariums into thriving, low-maintenance terrarium ecosystems. If you’re ready to retire that high-maintenance fish tank, we’ll transform it into a vibrant centerpiece of greenery and life.
Beyond Terrariums
We’re not just limited to good old terra firma. We build vivaria of all varieties, as well as custom living installations that blur the line between botanical art and interior design. Moss walls, sculptural planters, multi-species vertical gardens—we bring a phytomantic flair to any format.
If it can grow, we can help it thrive.
Hybrid Vivaria: Where Land Meets Water
We also specialize in hybrid vivaria such as paludariums—beautiful ecosystems that combine terrestrial and aquatic elements. These setups create dynamic, balanced habitats that showcase the interplay of land and water, perfect for a variety of species and visually striking displays. Whether for personal enjoyment or professional spaces, our paludariums bring a unique dimension to bioactive design.
Maintenance Packages
While our bioactive terrariums are designed to be low maintenance, regular care is essential to ensure the ecosystem remains balanced, healthy, and visually vibrant over time. Routine maintenance involves ensuring humidity control is functioning properly, selective pruning to preserve the design, removing any dead or decaying matter, replenishing beneficial microfauna, and sustaining the overall ecosystem balance. For both residential and commercial clients, we offer care packages to keep your ecosystem thriving. Choose from the following tiers:
- Basic: Monthly wellness checks, misting calibration, and light pruning
- Standard: Bi-weekly visits with substrate refresh, microfauna boost, and moss management
- Premium: Weekly support including design touch-ups, advanced troubleshooting, and seasonal ecosystem adjustments
Pricing is based on the size and complexity of your installation.
Ready to Begin?
Email us for a consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, space, and vision to begin crafting a custom living piece that’s uniquely yours. A detailed intake form and quote process will follow.
Bring the liminal green into your life. It’s waiting.
What is a bioactive enclosure?
A bioactive enclosure is a self-regulating ecosystem designed to promote natural processes like decomposition and nutrient cycling through the inclusion of live plants, microfauna (like isopods and springtails), and natural substrates. This creates a vibrant, living environment that requires minimal maintenance.
What sizes can you create?
We create custom enclosures ranging from small jar-sized terraria to large, room-scale installations. The size depends on your space, budget, and preferences.
Can you make enclosures for reptiles and amphibians?
Yes! We design species-specific vivaria tailored to the needs of reptiles and amphibians, promoting natural behaviors through thoughtfully created habitats. We don’t just limit ourselves to reptiles and amphibians, at Szandor’s Phytomancy we love our invertebrates.
Do you include animals in commercial installations?
For commercial spaces, we typically include microfauna like isopods and springtails to maintain ecosystem balance. Other fauna, such as millipedes, are negotiable. We do not include reptiles or amphibians in commercial setups to maintain low maintenance expectations.
Are your terrariums truly maintenance-free?
No. While bioactive enclosures are low maintenance compared to traditional setups, regular care is needed to maintain plant health, manage microfauna populations, and keep the ecosystem balanced. This includes occasional misting, trimming plants to maintain aesthetics, and substrate refreshes.
What does your maintenance package include?
Our maintenance packages cover tasks such as plant trimming, substrate management, microfauna boosts, and overall ecosystem health checks. Frequency depends on your chosen tier (basic, standard, premium).
Can you convert my existing aquarium into a terrarium?
Yes! We offer aquarium conversions that transform your water tank into a thriving terrestrial or semi-aquatic bioactive ecosystem, reducing upkeep while adding living beauty.
Do you create paludariums or hybrid vivaria?
Absolutely. We specialize in hybrid vivaria like paludariums that combine aquatic and terrestrial elements for diverse, dynamic ecosystems.
How long does it take to complete a custom enclosure?
Timelines vary by project size and complexity but generally range from a few days for small terraria to several weeks for large or complex installations.
Do you offer ongoing support after installation?
Yes, we provide ongoing maintenance packages and support to keep your enclosure thriving and beautiful long after installation.
How do you ensure the health of the plants and animals?
We use naturalistic designs, appropriate species selection, and ecosystem management practices to promote natural behavior and sustainability. Regular monitoring and maintenance help address issues early. Vivaria intended for higher lifeforms than isopods have an expectation of the owner ensuring the wellbeing of the pet species chosen..
