Custom Glass Vivariums Designed Around You

Off-the-shelf tanks are built to fit shelves and shipping boxes — not the animals that live inside them. At RKY Vivariums, we design and build custom glass vivariums and euro vivariums in Essex that are completely tailored to your home, your species, and your style. Whether you keep dart frogs, mossy frogs, crested geckos or tropical plants, every enclosure is made to fit your needs — not the other way around.

This article takes you through how we do it — from glass cutting and fly-proof sealing to drainage layers, misting systems, planting, backgrounds and professional delivery.

Why Go Custom Instead of Buying Off-the-Shelf?

Standard enclosures like Exo Terra or Zoo Med tanks are fine for beginners — but they come with limitations. They often leak fruit flies, lose humidity, and only come in standardised sizes. That’s where a custom glass vivarium or euro vivarium changes everything.

• Any size: We build vivariums from small 30×30 cm cubes to wall-length centrepieces and frog room racks.
• Any shape: Alcove installations, corner units, L-shapes, extra-tall arboreal builds — if it can safely be built in glass, we can create it.
• No fruit fly escapes: Tight silicone seals, precision door runners and sealed cable gland options.
• Designed around species: Dart frogs, mossy frogs, geckos or tropical plant displays all require different airflow, drainage and lighting — and we build acco

How We Design Your Custom Euro Vivarium

Every build begins the same way — with a conversation. No automated forms. No “pick a size from a dropdown.” We ask about your animals, your home and what you want your vivarium to become. This shapes everything that follows.

✅ Step 1: Understanding You & Your Animals

Before a single sheet of glass is cut, we discuss:

• What species will live inside? Dart frogs, mossy frogs, crested geckos, mourning geckos and tree frogs all require different humidity, airflow and lighting.
• Where will it sit? Living room feature wall? Frog room rack system? Bedroom corner? Conservatory?
• Do you want it plain glass or fully planted? We can deliver bare tanks, partial builds, or bioactive setups ready for inhabitants.
• Misting, fogging or hand-spraying? This affects drainage, cable glands and water reservoirs.

This planning stage ensures your glass vivarium is built around real-world use — not guesswork.

Glass Cutting, Euro Tracks & Fly-Proof Sealing

Once the design is agreed, we begin fabrication using either 4mm, 6mm or 8mm toughened glass depending on the size and height of the vivarium. For extra-tall displays or water-heavy builds, we use thicker glass or structural bracing for safety.

🧩 Euro Vivarium Construction Breakdown

• Base & Sides: Cut with industrial precision, edges polished, bonded using aquarium-grade silicone.
• Front-Opening Doors: Unlike American-style screen-top tanks, euro vivariums use front glass doors that slide or hinge open.
• Aluminium Euro Track System: High-quality rails allow smooth sliding doors while staying fruit-fly proof and condensation resistant.
• Ventilation: We add either front-bottom vents, top vents or both depending on airflow requirements for your species.
• Fly-Proof Sealing: Every gap is sealed. Cable exits use rubber or silicone glands. Even Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) can’t escape.

Drainage Layers, Water Management & Bioactive Compatibility

All of our custom glass vivariums can be built with an integrated drainage system to keep substrate oxygenated and prevent root rot or stagnant water.

• False bottoms or clay balls: LECA, SMUM, or egg crate platforms depending on your preference.
• Drainage holes: We can drill and install bulkheads to allow easy water removal using tubing or a tap.
• Waterfalls or streams: Optional embedded pipework for running water features — sealed and tested before delivery.
• Sump tanks (optional): For advanced keepers who want automated misting, fogging or recirculation.

Whether you’re building a bioactive euro vivarium for dart frogs or a paludarium for semi-aquatic species, we can make water management silent, hidden and easy to maintain.

Misting, Fogging & Humidity Control

A euro vivarium isn’t just about glass — it’s about creating stable humidity without drowning your enclosure. At RKY Vivariums, we offer three misting options depending on your setup and budget:

💧 1. Hand-Misted Only

Perfect for beginners or smaller vivariums. We ensure the glass doors open cleanly without water pooling or dripping inside the runners.

💧 2. Misting System Ready

• Pre-drilled misting nozzle holes on request
• Silicone-sealed cable/tubing entry points
• Space for MistKing, Monsoon or Ultimyst systems

💧 3. Fully Installed Misting System

We can install the full system before delivery — tested, leak-free and positioned to water plants without flooding your substrate or glass. This is ideal for large dart frog setups, breeder racks and display vivariums.

Planting, Hardscape & Decoration Options

Not every customer just wants the bare glass. Many want a vivarium that looks like a real rainforest the moment it arrives. That’s why we offer optional preparation and decorating services:

• Background installation: Natural cork, clay backgrounds, or expanding foam carved and sealed with silicone and coco fibre.
• Wood & stone hardscape: Bogwood, cork tubes, spider wood and rock areas can be securely fitted during build.
• Bioactive substrates: ABG mix, custom tropical plant substrates, drainage mesh and leaf litter.
• Live plants: Bromeliads, pothos, philodendrons, ficus, mosses and more — planted for immediate growth.

If you love the idea of a planted rainforest but don’t want to do the messy work, we’ll do it for you. Just add your animals once it’s settled.

Delivery, Installation & UK Coverage

Based in Essex, we deliver our glass vivariums and euro vivariums across Essex and the wider UK. You can choose:

• 🔹 Collection from us — for smaller tanks or local customers
• 🔹 Direct courier delivery — fully wrapped, secure and insured
• 🔹 Full home installation — we deliver, carry into position, level the tank and can install misting or backgrounds on site

To book a build or check delivery costs, simply contact us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you build any size vivarium?

Almost any size is possible within safety limits. We regularly build from 30×30×30 cm to full wall displays over 2 metres.

Do you only sell empty glass tanks?

No. We can provide bare tanks, partially decorated builds, or fully planted, misting-equipped bioactive vivariums ready for animals (customer adds animals after settling).

Are your vivariums fly-proof for dart frogs?

Yes — we use precision sliding doors, sealed cable glands and tight silicone lines so even fruit flies can’t escape.

Do you deliver outside of Essex?

Yes. We deliver across the UK and can offer installation where required.

How do I get a quote?

Just message us through our contact page with measurements or ideas — we’ll take care of the rest.