Modernrium Product Care Guide

Bookmark this page — it's the one we send to every Modernrium customer. Below you'll find exact care instructions for each type of build we sell: closed terrariums, open terrariums, water features & paludariums, carnivorous plant setups, planted aquariums, and kokedama. Find your build, follow the quick guide, and reach out any time if something looks off.

---

🌿 Closed Terrarium

A closed terrarium is a balanced, self-sustaining ecosystem — the goal is to keep that balance, not to over-tend it. Mist the inside of the glass about once a week; regular tap water works well, and you want the moss layer to stay lightly moist rather than the whole space damp. Handmade glassware doors should only be opened to around 90°, and no further, to avoid stress on the hinge or seal. The one exception is our 54L Demijohn, which does best with roughly 200ml of water added every 6 months rather than weekly misting.

Keep the terrarium in a bright spot that avoids direct sun and heat sources — a light meter app on your phone is an easy way to check you're above the 1000 lux minimum. If you're supplementing with a grow light, keep it to a maximum of 8 hours a day and put it on a timer so it's consistent. Beyond that, care is light-touch: trim back any plants that outgrow their space and give the glass an occasional clean.

---

🪴 Open Terrarium

This covers our EcoCourier Series and any Arid/Desert-style build. Water every second day by spraying or pouring directly onto the plants rather than the moss, and check that the drainage layer at the base is holding around 1cm of water — top it up if it's run dry. Give it a bright spot with a minimum of 800 lux; if you're using artificial light, keep it capped at 8 hours a day. Trim plants back whenever they start to outgrow the container.

---

💧 Water Feature & Paludarium (Aqua-Terrarium)

Keep the pump running continuously — it's what keeps the water feature healthy and circulating. Water changes are only needed twice a year for a plant-only setup; if you're keeping fish or shrimp, do them more frequently. Algae on the glass can be wiped away with a towel, a soft wipe, or a razor blade for stubborn spots, and it's worth giving the filter media a rinse periodically to keep it clear. Give it a bright spot (minimum 800 lux, artificial light capped at 8 hours/day). For larger builds, extra misting during the first few weeks helps the ecosystem establish itself. Trim plants back occasionally as they grow.

---

🪰 Carnivorous Plant Setups

Venus Flytraps, Sarracenia, Pinguicula and Drosera are all sun-hungry and need 15–17 hours of light a day, with their roots kept partially submerged in water at all times — this is what keeps their bog environment authentic. Nepenthes are the exception: treat them more like a tropical plant, with high humidity and around 8 hours of light a day rather than the extended light schedule the others need.

---

🐟 Planted Aquarium

Run the filter continuously and give the tank 4–5 hours of light a day, kept out of direct sun. Do a 30% water change every two weeks, and if the tank is newly set up, a bacterial starter product can help it establish faster. Every planted aquarium is a little different depending on the plants and livestock involved, so if your setup needs tailored advice, just get in touch — we're happy to help.

---

🌱 Kokedama

A kokedama is watered by soaking rather than pouring. Once a week, sit the whole moss ball in a bowl of water and leave it for about 5 minutes so the soil inside can soak up water all the way through. Lift it out, let the excess water drip off, then put it back in its usual spot. If your kokedama sits on a tray that can hold water, you can also pour some water into the tray to keep the moss ball moist all the time.

---