April – When the Chaos Began Link to heading
Last April was the big moment: key handover day. A new apartment, a new shared flat — and the start of our adventure. It didn’t take long for one thing to become clear: yes to a living room, but only with style. A TV? Too boring. An aquarium? Too wet. Then it hit us — something with scales, but without water: a terrarium! The plan was set, the enthusiasm was high — what could possibly go wrong?
June – The Inspiration Trip Link to heading
In June, we kicked things off with a trip to Lorica in Zofingen — a shop full of crawling, creeping, and climbing creatures that either make you smile or send you running. For us, it was definitely the former. Our favorite was quickly chosen: a crested gecko from New Caledonia. Only one small problem… we didn’t actually have a terrarium yet. Luckily, the endless wonderland that is ricardo.ch came to the rescue, and we soon scored a great second-hand one.
June – The Terrarium Stand Link to heading
So, we picked it up, cleaned it, cleaned it again (just in case), and there it was — the terrarium. On the floor. Which wasn’t exactly ideal — for our backs, the gecko, or the aesthetic. So naturally, a DIY project began. Some wood from Jumbo, a bit of sanding, staining, and assembly later — and our “designer” piece was done. Well, sort of. Let’s call it functional chic. But hey, it stands, it’s sturdy, and the terrarium is now at eye level — literally and figuratively.
August – The Background Wall & The Material Meltdown Link to heading
August brought the next challenge: the background wall. Styrofoam, silicone, expanding foam, soil — the full works. The vision? A natural-looking jungle wall with caves, ledges, and climbing spots. It started off strong — a real artistic process. And then, mid-flow, the expanding foam ran out. Not kidding. One second everything was going great, and then pfffft… nothing. Half-finished, half-devastated, completely sticky. Our “creative break” afterward lasted… well, a bit longer than planned.
January – A Fresh Start Link to heading
A new year, a fresh start. With the resolution “this year we’re finishing it,” we jumped right back in. Supplies restocked, gloves on, and suddenly the rest of the wall was done in no time — covered in soil and looking great. Funny how everything goes smoother once you just start again. Maybe it was the New Year’s hangover, or maybe the terrarium’s judgmental stare finally got to us — who knows. Either way: mission background wall — accomplished.
February – The Green Phase Link to heading
Time to go green. First came the lights: mount, hide the cables, test, re-test. Then came the so-called “substrate build.” Sounds fancy, but really it was just mini-scale digging. Drainage layer of lava stones, a fleece layer, then plenty of soil — all set for our future plant paradise. Luckily, we already had more than enough suitable plants lying around at home. Maybe a bit too many. Soon, little pots were everywhere, waiting to move into their new home. Urban jungle? Check. Only this time, inside the terrarium.
February – Forest Finds & Final Touches Link to heading
Of course, the right decor couldn’t be missing. So — off to the forest! Branches were inspected like art pieces, moss gathered like treasure. Back home, everything went straight into the oven for deluxe disinfection. Then came the fun part: gluing, layering, decorating. And because a proper bioactive terrarium needs its cleanup crew, we added some isopods and springtails to the mix. Our little ecosystem was nearly complete — alive, green, and honestly, pretty awesome. The only thing missing? Some actual residents. And yes, that’s exactly what we were thinking.
April – The New Roommates Move In Link to heading
April again — almost exactly a year after that first “what if” moment — and it was finally time. We headed back to Zofingen, this time not as curious onlookers but on a mission: to find our terrarium’s new residents. We came home with two crested geckos. The excitement on the drive back was real. There they were, in the box on our laps — shy, a bit confused, but absolutely gorgeous. And us? A little overwhelmed. Because, of course, they needed names. We brainstormed everything from clever to downright ridiculous: Adam & Eve, Bonnie & Clyde, Gex & Gexy. Nothing felt right. Then someone asked, “Who’s the person you’ve had to wait the longest for in your life?” “Luca,” said Luis. “Paula,” replied Eric, without hesitation. And that was it. Welcome, Luca & Paula — our new nocturnal flatmates with a love for humidity and vertical glass climbing.
