Shopping list
24” hot water heater drip pan (available at most hardware stores)
6mm thick clear acrylic sheeting (available at most hardware stores or get it precut through a glass/mirror store like Christian did)
100% silicon caulking designed for plastic sheeting
Tools
Craft utility knife
Caulking gun
Dremel or jigsaw (blade for plastics) if you are going to cut the acrylic yourself
Scrap cardboard (this is used to hold the acrylic sheeting as it dries)
Pencil
Shopping list to fill Terrarium
Craft sand
Vases filler of your choice – crushed seashells, small stones, etc
Moss
Air plants (available through florists) or faux succulent plants
If you are cutting the acrylic yourself.
- First step is to create a template from the hot water heater drip pan for your acrylic sheeting. Trace the shape of the circle onto your acrylic sheeting. Christian placed his sheet to allow for a 9” inch trough. It was roughly 9” high x 23” wide.
- If you are going to do this yourself, you will want to use a dremel or jigsaw with the proper blade for plastic. Also leave the protective paper on the acrylic – this will avoid splintering.
Or get your local glass/mirror store to do it for you.
Christian suggests going through your local glass/mirror store. It cost him the same to buy the acrylic sheet through a hardware store and cut it himself, as it to have it done professionally. Bring in the pan to ensure an accurate cut. It is much easier if this is your first time cutting acrylic.
- Place your acrylic half circle on your pan (at the opposite end of the precut hole that came with your pan). You want to place it in the middle of the edge – about 1.5” inches behind the acrylic and 1.5” inches in front of the acrylic. This will create a cleaner look. You are creating a little pocket for your plants.
- Using scrap cardboard. Create two small squares (spacers) with slits in them using your utility. The slits should also be about 1.5” inches from the edge. Place them on top of your acrylic. This will ensure the spacing is even and will hold the acrylic for you as the silicone dries. Put the acrylic to the side for now.
- Now trace with a pencil along where the acrylic meets the pan – leaving a mark for you to follow on the pan surface.
- Ensure your pan is in the vertical position – place it against a hard surface where you can leave it ‘standing’ for 24 hours to dry.
- Now run a bead of silicone along the line you create with your pencil.
- Insert your acrylic half circle into the middle of the silicone bead. Push down to ensure good adhesion.
- Allow the silicone to dry for 24 hours.
- Now fill with your choice of materials for your terrariums.
To Hang: You can either drill a small hole at the top of your terrarium – through the metal. Or create a hanging loop on the back with rope and hot glue.