The biggest difference between a terrarium and an aquarium is the presence of water, and the types of plants and animals that commonly inhabit each also tend to be quite different. In general, aquariums are filled completely with water. This water can be fresh, salty, or brackish depending on the contents, but the contents all have an important thing in common: they are capable of existing under water. Fish are popular choices, as are sea snails and certain corals and anemones. Terrariums, on the other hand, may include some water features, but are generally not actually filled with water. These tend to be enclosed habitats for plants and may also be homes for certain land-based creatures, including some types of reptiles, insects, or amphibians. In most cases there are a number of similarities between the two types of habitat when it comes to size and placement, and both can be modified to fit within a lot of different environments. The plants and animals in each aren’t usually interchangeable, though.
Basic Concept
Both terrariums and aquariums serve a similar purpose, namely to act as microcosms of the natural world. In this setting a “microcosm” is essentially a miniature version. The enclosed space is a recreation of a natural setting, usually complete with plants, animals, and terrain elements like rocks, dirt, or sand. In general both are made up of glass or clear plastic, which allows people on the outside to closely observe the workings of the environment that’s been contained.
Most feature plants, but this isn’t essential, particularly where aquariums are concerned. Both also tend to be most common in individual homes among amateur botanists and more casual pet owners, but again this isn’t exclusive and both sorts of habitats are also used in more serious research endeavors. In these respects the two types of space have a lot in common. The most profound difference comes in terms of habitats studied or observed, with aquariums capturing instances of undersea or underwater life while terrariums recreate earth-based scenes.
History
There is some evidence suggesting that terrariums came first, at least when it comes to popularity within the scientific community. Dr. Nathaniel Ward, an English physician and amateur botanist, is credited with creating the first terrarium in the early 1800s, basically by accident. As the story goes, he had been out gathering cocoons, and he placed them in a covered glass jar for storage. After a few days he noticed that there were tiny plants growing in the jar next to the cocoons. Enthralled by what he saw, he began to construct terrariums to study ecosystems in miniature.
Differences in Habitat
The primary and most significant difference between a terrarium and aquarium is water. A standard terrarium focuses on some element of the natural, land-based habitat just as Dr. Ward’s did. Some are based wholly on plant life, but they can also feature things like frogs, lizards, or insects. The main idea is to create a small little world complete with all elements necessary to sustain life.
Aquariums are almost always filled with water, and the creatures that live in these settings are those that are typically considered “aquatic.” Fish are common additions, as are certain corals; things like sea spiders and eels can also be present. Aquariums help people view and observe sections of life that would otherwise happen out of sight beneath the surface of lakes, reservoirs, and oceans.
Ecosystem Possibilities
It is possible to recreate almost any ecosystem between these two models, though some of the world’s harsher climates and conditions might take more care to closely replicate. Things like temperature sensors, salinity meters, and air quality gauges can help owners keep the internal environments in either setting closely controlled. Even habitats that are designed to be more or less recreational need occasional monitoring and cleaning to keep them healthy.
Soothing Effects
Studies have shown that a terrarium and aquarium both evoke a sense of peace in their surroundings. Human heart rates have been measured to noticeably decrease in a room that has an aquarium, for instance, which is often one of the reasons why doctors’ offices and medical clinics feature these sorts of attractions. Additionally, the process of creating a terrarium and setting miniature pieces into play is said to have soothing effects on the creator.