Desert+Ecosystem+Project

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How to maass ballke a plant in gl =1. buy glass ball with opening.= =2.buy sand and soil.= =3.buy ether 2 or 1 cactus and a other plant for it that would fit.= =4.pour a small amount of soil and then pour a thin amount of sand to cover the soil.= =5.try not to get a splinter from the cactus while putting the cactus.= =6.put the other plant you have bought,= =After this you are done or you could do another.= = = =The Different types of deserts:=

The hottest type of desert, with parched terrain and rapid evaporation. In the hot and dry desert soils are course-textured (to be continued)
=Make a Desert Terrarium= A Desert themed terrarium is a fun project to make and it is something that is relatively easy to care for. You are using a variety of cactii and succulents which don't require a lot of water and are very tolerant of sunlight. You also do this kind of terrarium in an open dish which is easier to make than in a closed container. This tutorial take you through all the steps on how to make one of these terrariums. I also have a [|video of this project here] And Amazon.com has lots of nice [|Terra Cotta Planters and pots]



**A Note about changes to this project:** I have recieved some helpful advice from an expert desert terrarium maker and he advises me that there really is no need for the Spaghnum moss or the pebbles in this kind of a terrarium. The Spaghnum moss will hold and release moisture which works counter to the concept of a desert terrarium and the pebbles are unnecessary. All you really need is a hole in the bottom of the container and a small piece of screen to keep the soil from falling out. He has tested various configurations and this is the best way to do it. So, no need to use the Spaghnum Moss or the pebbles which saves you time and money! My thanks to R. for this expert advice!!

The Basic Layout The illustration here on the left shows the basic layout for your desert terrarium. It is very similar to a regular terrarium but here are some things to note. If you are using some large stones you should embed them rather deep into the soil. I put a couple of inches of soil in the dish, placed the stones then placed more soil. The sand is also something not seen in a regular terrarium. I have put a thin layer of sand on the top of the soil. This was before placing the plants. Then after the plants were placed I touched it up with more sand.
 * Here is a list of materials you should have for this project: (Recommended but not all are necessary)**
 * A Container (terra cotta or arizona themed is perfect)
 * Several plants, cactii or succulents (generally an odd number is best 3,5 or 7)
 * 1 bag of sand, do not use sand you get at the beach - there are lots of contaminants
 * Potting Soil, can be specifically for cactus or can be general potting soil
 * A dozen stones in a variety of shapes and colors, go find them!
 * Pebbles, Pearlstone or small rocks as drainage in bottom of container (1 or 2 cups is enough)
 * Spanish Moss or Sphagnum Moss (Acts as a barrier so soil doesn't work its way down into the bottom of the dish or pot
 * Arizona or desert themed ornaments

Here is the basic Procedure: The plants have been shocked by being transplanted so for the first week you need to watch them carefully. Keep any tags or guidelines that came with the plants. These are valuable instructions that will help you in watering and sunlight needs. I bought several different kinds of succulents and cactii from a local home improvement store. This kind of plant often has a plastic container that is full with a number of plants. i gently separated them and used them both as individuals and as small clusters. I also cut away a lot of the excess roots before I planted them in my terrarium. When you have your leopard gecko you are going to need some steps to make the habitat so i am going to give you 6 steps to help you construct the habitat you are going to make
 * 1) If there is a hole in your dish place a small piece of screen over it to protect from soil and stones falling out
 * 2) Place about an inch of pebbles or pearl stone in the dish
 * 3) Place a half inch to inch layer of activated charcoal (this purifies the water and soil and is totally optional in an open dish like this
 * 4) Place an inch thick layer of sphagnum or spanish moss (this prevents soil from seeping down into the bottom of the dish)
 * 5) Fill about half the intended final volume with soil
 * 6) Place your larger stones and arrange them in a pleasing manner
 * 7) Place the remainder of the soil
 * 8) Put your plants in an attractive arrangement and one nice way to do it is to try to get a plant or two between the stones and try to get one or two of them on a higher level. The whole arrangement is shaped like a volcano with the center of the dish being where the highest point is.
 * 9) Place some smaller colored stones in the dish
 * 10) Touch up the sand by adding more sand
 * 11) Add any ornaments or artistic touches (I have added a lizard)
 * Care of your terrarium**
 * Further Notes**

> The best option is paper towels, unless you're keeping the tank out for show. It is easily cleanable. Paper is also a good option. If you want your tank to look nice, an indoor or outdoor reptile carpet would be suitable. Yet, if any pieces of the carpet are sticking up, there is a chance a geckos toe can get stuck and pulled off by it. Once you have your leopard gecko you will need a habitat for your gecko, here are some steps for constructing your leopard gecko habitat By:Angel Ortega You Will Need: > A 10-gallon tank is enough for one adult gecko, but if you're getting more than one, a 20 or even 30-gallon tank is best. > The best option is __paper__ towels, unless you're keeping the tank out for show. It is easily cleanable. Paper is also a good option. If you want your tank to look nice, an indoor or outdoor reptile carpet would be suitable. Yet, if any pieces of the carpet are sticking up, there is a chance a geckos toe can get stuck and pulled off by it. > **It is a bad __idea__ to use sand, especially for baby leopard geckos. If they eat it either by accident or not, it can cause serious health problems like impaction.** > The best choice would be an under tank heater. This way, when the gecko is done eating they can lay on the heater and get the belly warmth. On an under tank heater, there is a sticky side. You stick that side under the tank, and plug it in to an outlet. After a couple hours it will reach full heat. If you choose a heater, make sure it is only the size of half of the tank, so the gecko can pick the hot or cool side to be on. Another heat option is an overhead light. This will provide light and heat, although geckos are nocturnal so they might be bothered with the bright light. If using a light, keep it on during the day and use a red heat light at night, since geckos can't see this color and won't be bothered. The hot side should be a moist hide. This is where geckos go to have a humid climate, so they can easily shed their skin. To make a hide, use a small bowl or margarine container flipped upside down, with a hole cut out for easy access. Inside of this hide you will either need wet paper towels or damp peat moss, or something else that will hold the water/humidity. If using paper towels, spray them with a water bottle each day. The cold side should be a dry hide. Things to use for this hide is any hiding places big enough for your gecko you find at the pet store- like hollow logs. 6. **You gecko will need a water dish, and possibly a calcium dish**. The water dish should be in the middle of the tank, or next to one of the hides. It needs to be shallow enough so your gecko can drink with out having to go inside of it, but big enough to hold enough water for a day. Make sure to replace with fresh, clean water every day. Some geckos need extra calcium in their diet, so keep a water bottle cap full of calcium powder next to the water bowl. They will lick it up when they find it.
 * You Will Need:**
 * 1) **You need to think about where your gecko will live**. A 10-gallon tank is enough for one adult gecko, but if you're getting more than one, a 20 or even 30-gallon tank is best.
 * 2) **Substrate is what you** **put at the bottom of the tank**.
 * 1) **It is a bad idea to use sand, especially for baby leopard geckos. If they eat it either by accident or not, it can cause serious health problems like impaction.**
 * 2) **Leopard geckos need heat to digest their food.**The best choice would be an under tank heater. This way, when the gecko is done eating they can lay on the heater and get the belly warmth. On an under tank heater, there is a sticky side. You stick that side under the tank, and plug it in to an outlet. After a couple hours it will reach full heat. If you choose a heater, make sure it is only the size of half of the tank, so the gecko can pick the hot or cool side to be on.
 * 3) Another heat option is an overhead light. This will provide light and heat, although geckos are nocturnal so they might be bothered with the bright light. If using a light, keep it on during the day and use a red heat __light at night__, since geckos can't see this color and won't be bothered.
 * You'll want to keep thermometers in the tank so you can keep a close eye on the temperatures**. The side with the heat lamp or pad should be around 75-85 degrees, and the opposite side should be around 65-75 degrees.
 * You'll want to keep thermometers in the tank so you can keep a close eye on the temperatures**. The side with the heat lamp or pad should be around 75-85 degrees, and the opposite side should be around 65-75 degrees.
 * 1) **You need to think about where your gecko will live**.
 * 1) **Substrate is what you put at the bottom of the tank**.
 * 1) **Leopard geckos need heat to digest their food**.
 * 1) **You'll want to keep thermometers in the tank so you can keep a close eye on the temperatures**. The side with the heat lamp or pad should be around 75-85 degrees, and the opposite side should be around 65-75 degrees.
 * 2) **As for furnishings, there should be a hiding place on the hot side of the tank and one on the cooler side.**

My name is Fidel Ramirez and these are some examples of what is a Desert Ecosystem Project :