Last updated on April 15th, 2023 at 03:53 pm
The common question a new terrarium owner asks is, why does my terrarium fog up?
Well, A terrarium with too much water and different temperatures inside and out is the main reason for fogging up. A closed glass terrarium, for example, becomes too hot if direct sunlight enters it from the top.
A terrarium is like a mini greenhouse that you can carry anywhere or place on your study table or room.
It will surely enhance the beauty around you let along with that; it will give your eyes a rest when you get tired of the mechanical city. Sounds magical, right? The terrarium looks magical too.
But magical things are very tricky to handle. But don’t worry, there is a way to handle all of that. In this article, we are going to explore the solution to fogging up. So let’s dig in.
Why Does My Terrarium Have Condensation?
The temperature has a significant impact on terrarium condensation. Regarding where you place your terrarium, you must pay extra attention and take extra care to avoid condensation because it is the temperature responsible for this problem.
Terrariums usually have a higher temperature than their surroundings. The reason for this is that terrariums are similar to greenhouses.
In addition to absorbing light, they also retain heat. By bringing warm air to the cold surface of the terrarium and reaching its dew point, the difference in temperature between the inside and outside encourages water condensation to form.
Can You Reduce Terrarium Condensation?
After knowing the fact of why my terrarium fogs up, the next question that comes up is, can I reduce the condensation?
Of course, you can! As with most problems, there is a solution to them; terrarium condensation isn’t an exception. There are plenty of ways to reduce terrarium condensation.
Here are the most effective ways to reduce terrarium condensations:
1. Maintain a constant room temperature
Terrarium air is warmer than glass, which causes water to condense on its interior. Maintaining a stable warm temperature in your house – and therefore in the terrarium glass – will drastically reduce condensation.
2. Let your terrarium breathe
You can balance the humidity of your terrarium by venting it occasionally. Your tropical plants and mosses prefer a certain amount of humidity, so don’t leave it off too much.
If you have a lot of condensation throughout the night, you can also try this as a last resort.
3. Use anti-fog products
This is optional for you. It’s better to stay natural, but if you don’t have much time on your hand or are lazy, then the anti-fog product is for you.
Your plants may be affected in different ways by that. Look for a non-toxic one if at all possible. Your plants will probably be less harmed.
Glasses and goggles are often coated with anti-fog. As long as you aren’t spraying it directly on your plants, I imagine it will be safe for your plants if it is safe for your eyes. There is no guarantee, however.
It is also important to note that anti-fog does not last forever. You’ll probably need to reapply it after a few months. So, it’s better to avoid it since there is plenty of options.
4. Install a fan
By improving air circulation, condensation will be reduced or completely prevented from forming on the glass. The element is commonly found in vivariums but not as much in terrariums.
Nowadays, you can get some very small fans, which is not ideal – because fans are ugly and unnatural. Considering it’s only 40mm wide, you can probably hide it if you’re creative and have a large terrarium.
5. Don’t overwater
In addition to being a visual nuisance, excess fog and condensation in the terrarium are also signs of overwatering. There’s no doubt that this is a common mistake made by terrarium builders.
Rotten roots and mold growth can result from overwatering your terrarium. You might see your plants turn yellow and droopy if you do this for too long. So, be aware of your watering season.
6. Use a magnet cleaner
Terrarium glass that is large and flat can be cleaned with magnet cleaners if the glass is large and flat.
As opposed to cloth, it will remove condensation from its sides rather than from its source. There is no permanent solution to the problem, but this quick fix will do just fine for now.
Should I Wipe Condensation From Terrariums?
Yes, you can. Wiping is the properly easiest way to get rid of the fog. A paper towel should be used to wipe off any condensation that forms on more than one-third of the glass, and then the top should be sealed again.
Don’t let it dry out in the open. Leaving the plant open will harm plants that prefer high humidity. Continue until only 1/3 of the water condenses each day if excess condensation continues.
Ensure it is in good light before covering it. Once condensation has stopped, spray it with water or sprinkle a few tablespoons over it. In a terrarium, it is easier to remove water than to add water.
How Do I Stop My Terrarium From Fogging Up?
You don’t have to worry if this whole process has made you nervous or if you are concerned about your terrarium; there are also ways to stop fogging up.
To avoid all that hassle, ensure you take care of your terrarium before it fogs up. Fogging also makes your terrariums stink. Fogging in terrariums can be prevented by a variety of factors. Such as:
Types of Plants
It’s important to give your terrarium plants indirect but bright light. This applies to succulents, air plants, and even tropical and carnivorous plants.
An open terrarium is the best place to plant most of them. In a closed terrarium, they will die because they need adequate ventilation.
However, you must still be careful if you plan to grow ferns, mosses, or any other plant that requires a higher humidity level inside a closed terrarium. Direct sunlight is also not a favorite nutrient for most of those plants.
Shape of Terrarium
You might find that the shape of your terrarium makes your terrarium fog more than others. Fog tends to accumulate in round-lidded jars. A closed terrarium will have fog every week unless you open its lid for 24 hours every week to let the condensation evaporate.
Make sure that the air in the area where your terrarium is situated is not too dry when leaving the lid open. Generally, stay away from moving the terrarium too much.
Change of Season
A sudden and dramatic change in season is also the cause of fog. Once in a few weeks, you can move a terrarium if the season changes or if you want to take it outside for fresh air.
If you want to ensure that your terrarium receives sufficient sunlight, you should rotate it once or twice a week. Plants that lean to one side will start leaning backward.
To Sum Up
I hope this article has given you the right answer to your question of why my terrarium fogged up along with the reduction process. Terrariums can be tricky to manage, but once you master them, they are the most beautiful thing to have. So, why wait? Start taking care of your terrarium correctly and enjoy the magical thing.