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Custom Background Kits For 8x8x12 Terrariums

The best custom background for 8x8x12 Terrariums & Vivariums

Option 1:
Supplies + Cork

Custom Terrarium Background Kit For 8x8x12 Terrarium + Cork Assortment Included

Spreader Tools & Silicone Gun Optional. Cork image for texture reference only.

Cork Info Page Background

Background Image Gallery

Swipe To Navigate →

Vivarium With Custom Background Custom Vivarium For Harvard Museum of Natural History Custom Vivarium For Harvard Museum of Natural History Cork Texture Detail

This mini-gallery includes examples of what can be built using our cork-based Custom Background Kits. Multiple enclosure sizes are included for reference and inspiration. For dozens of other examples, visit our full Vivarium Image Gallery.

Custom Vivarium For Harvard Museum of Natural History

36x18x36 Custom BG w/Cork

Custom Vivarium For Museum

36x18x36 Custom BG w/Cork

Vivarium With Custom Background

18x18x18 Custom BG w/Cork

Custom Bioactive Terrarium For Frogs

18x18x24 Custom BG w/Cork

Custom Furniture Mounted Vivarium

55G Custom BG w/Cork

Custom Vivarium For Harvard Museum of Natural History

36x18x36 Custom BG w/Cork

Cork Texture Detail

Grown-In Cork Texture Detail

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit
With Hand-Selected Cork Decor

Prices Start At $29.11

Select & Customize Kit

This option includes everything you'll need from start-to finish!

On Sale Now!

Sale Price Starts At $28.13

Select & Customize Kit

This option includes everything you'll need from start-to finish!

Sold Out!

Option 2:
Supplies Only

Vivarium Background Kit For 8x8x12 Terrarium

Spreader Tools & Silicone Gun Optional

No Wood Decor

(The finished product will depend on which decor you use)

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit
Without Wood Decor

Prices Start At $21.62

Select & Customize Kit

This option requires wood/rock decor to be purchased separately

On Sale Now!

Sale Price Starts At $20.64

Select & Customize Kit

This option requires wood/rock decor to be purchased separately

Sold Out!
Custom Terrarium Background Kit For 8x8x12 Terrarium + Cork Assortment Included

Included cork assortment will be hand selected and perfect for your 8x8x12 enclosure. Cork image shown for texture reference only.

8x8x12 Background Kit Contents:

96oz Background Texture Mix 5% Off
1 Great Stuff Foam $5.99 $4.99/ea
1 Terrarium Silicone $12.99 $10.99/ea
1 Gallon Assorted Cork Bark $8.99 $7.49
2 Pairs of Latex Gloves 5% Off
Optional Silicone Spreader Tools 5% Off
Optional Silicone Gun Applicator 12% Off

96oz Background Texture Mix Sale: 10% Off
1 Great Stuff Foam $5.99 Sale: $4.79/ea
1 Terrarium Silicone $12.99 Sale: $10.49/ea
1 Gallon Assorted Cork Bark $8.99 $7.49
2 Pairs of Latex Gloves 5% Off
Optional Silicone Spreader Tools 5% Off
Optional Silicone Gun Applicator 12% Off

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit Starts At $29.11

(Customize & see details in-cart)

On Sale Now!

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit Starts At $28.13

(Customize & see details in-cart)

NOTE: Silicone Guns have sold out! Please don't select one in-cart.

NOTE: Silicone Spreader Tools have sold out! Please don't add them to your order at this time.

▴ Back ▴

Stock Notification!

Our records show that one or more of the ingredients in this kit have little or no stock left at the moment, but we're expecting a shipment imminently. If ordered today, we'd expect it to ship within 5 business days.

Custom Vivarium Background Kit For 8x8x12 Terrarium

8x8x12 Background Kit Contents:

96oz Background Texture Mix 5% Off
1 Great Stuff Foam $5.99 $4.99/ea
1 Terrarium Silicone $12.99 $10.99/ea
2 Pairs of Latex Gloves 5% Off
Optional Silicone Spreader Tools 5% Off
Optional Silicone Gun Applicator 12% Off

96oz Background Texture Mix Sale: 10% Off
1 Great Stuff Foam $5.99 Sale: $4.79/ea
1 Terrarium Silicone $12.99 Sale: $10.49/ea
2 Pairs of Latex Gloves 5% Off
Optional Silicone Spreader Tools 5% Off
Optional Silicone Gun Applicator 12% Off

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit Starts At $21.62

(Customize & see details in-cart)

On Sale Now!

8x8x12 Custom Background Kit Starts At $20.64

(Customize & see details in-cart)

* This option requires wood or rock decor to be purchased separately

NOTE: Silicone Guns have sold out! Please don't select one in-cart.

NOTE: Silicone Spreader Tools have sold out! Please don't add them to your order at this time.

▴ Back ▴

Stock Notification!

Our records show that one or more of the ingredients in this kit have little or no stock left at the moment, but we're expecting a shipment imminently. If ordered today, we'd expect it to ship within 5 business days.

About Our Custom Terrarium Background Kits:

Our custom background kits are designed to transform a 8x8x12 Terrarium into a truly convincing slice of nature using the best supplies available. This kit is suitable for both planted terrariums without inhabitants, and bioactive vivariums housing a variety of different interesting creatures. Backgrounds made from our kits are realistic, long-lasting, and straightforward to put together. Custom NEHERP Terrarium Backgrounds can be found in museums, zoos, nature centers, and countless private collections across the United States. We're confident that you'll be satisfied with both the quality of each ingredient and the finished product you create.

What's Included:

This background kit's hard supplies are custom-tailored to your specific 8x8x12 enclosure. Each 8x8x12 Custom Background Kit includes terrarium safe silicone, polyurethane foam, latex gloves, NEHERP Custom Background Texture Mix, and a bagged assortment of Cork rounds & flats. If the cork option is selected, our team of dedicated terrarium specialists will select an assortment based on your 8x8x12 enclosure, and the additional information you provide in your cart. We maintain a 99%+ satisfaction rate for the selections of wood decor we include, and we promise you won't be disappointed! Discounted silicone tools & extra gloves are optional add-ons too, for those who don't have those on-hand.

Custom Background For Vivariums Custom Background For Bioactive Terrariums

Instructions

Our DIY Custom Background Article can be used as a detailed step-by-step guide for using this kit. We recommend reading the article carefully, referencing it during setup, and taking the build nice and slow if it's your first custom background. Every kit is backed with free 1-on-1 email consultations with our staff too, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We're happy to help!

▴ Hide Instructions ▴

Custom VivariumBackgrounds With Real Wood Backgrounds Custom Terrarium Backgrounds With Real Wood Backgrounds

Incorporating Other Wood or Rock Decor

Our cork-based custom backgrounds look great on their own, but some builders take it a step further. It's possible to incorporate other wood or rock decor with a cork-based custom terrarium background, and the results can be epic. Ghostwood is the most popular choice for a centerpiece since it's relatively lightweight, and adds lots of visual impact. (Shown above) Volcanic Rock is growing in popularity too, although it's a little less forgiving than Ghostwood. Malaysian Driftwood is extremely heavy by comparison, and is considered one of the more difficult background mediums. Adding extras is completely optional, and something we'd really only recommend to experienced builders or those comfortable with an added challenge.

▴ Hide Decor Info ▴

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question:
Do you have more photo examples?

Answer:
Yes! Visit our Vivarium Gallery W/Custom Backgrounds for some "vivspiration". Not all of the vivariums in that gallery are based on our Custom Background Kits, but most are. When you get to the gallery, select "About The Vivarium ID Numbers" for help identifying what type of background kit was used in each photo.

Question:
How much space will this kit cover?

Answer:
Our kits are able to cover the back panel plus both sides of a terrarium for a truly 3D background if desired. If only one or two of the panels will be covered, a little more silicone/cork may be left over. A limited amount of product is expected to be left over in most cases, to allow for user-error and more creative freedom. If any products are left over, they can be saved for more decor projects or a future vivarium build.

Question:
How long will a background take to build?

Answer:
The amount of time required to build a custom terrarium background varies depending on complexity, size, and experience. Bigger enclosures take longer, and adding extra decor (Ghostwood, Volcanic Rock, etc) will increase the time investment. Experience plays a big role, too. An average sized enclosure (18X18X18) can take an inexperienced builder 2-5 hours of labor from start to finish, not including curing time. This is just a rough idea though, and your results may vary. We recommend taking your time and having fun with the process!

Question:
Which animal species are these kits appropriate for?

Answer:
These are appropriate for the vast majority of vivarium inhabitant species which are popular today. In broad terms, Dart Frogs, Tree Frogs, Small Reptiles, and even some Arboreal Snakes are perfect candidates for our Custom Background Kits with minimal effort. Larger species with claws can damage softer foam areas over the course of a few years, so for clawed Geckos & Lizards over 8in we recommend creating a tight cork mosaic. (Possible "as is" with the Cork option above) By limiting the amount of exposed foam and covering background mix, the custom background can look and perform great for years even with some larger inhabitants like leachianus Geckos, Giant Day Geckos, and similar species. For a visual example of custom backgrounds designed for larger species, check out the first couple images in our Custom Background Vivarium Image Gallery (Vivarium IDs: CB1 & CB2). For an easier to build, more durable, less detailed custom background, check out our Heavy Duty Custom Background Kits. If you are building for a larger reptile species (over 10in) and would like some advice on how to move forward, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're happy to help!

Question:
Will the "No Wood" option be enough to create a custom background?

Answer:
We included the "no wood" option for those who will be purchasing specific wood decor separately. There are other types of wood out there, but we consider Cork to be the the easiest, most popular, and best looking way to build. We've seen our supplies-only background kits used with Ghostwood, Modular Cork Planters, Malaysian Driftwood, Tree Fern Panels, and even lightweight Volcanic Rock. Without some type of natural decor mounted on the background though, it won't look nearly as realistic. Backgrounds with Foam + Background Mix only are not recommended.

Question:
What age group is this kit appropriate for?

Answer:
This kit was designed to be used by adults only. Silicone and Polyurethane Foam are unforgiving and potentially dangerous if not used carefully. If you are a parent or teacher considering this kit, we'd recommend completing the background part of the enclosure yourself, or with their very closely supervised help. Allowing the young'uns to help with the rest of the vivarium project is usually no problem. (Adding substrate, plants, bugs, animals, etc!)

Question:
Will these background kits stand up to high humidity?

Answer:
Absolutely. Conditions ranging from 5-99% relative humidity have proven to last beautifully for upwards of a decade. We don't recommend them for aquatic/submerged use, but even the highest levels of humidity won't cause a problem for our background kits, if the instructions are followed. Frequent (multiple times daily) direct misting is also completely acceptable. Cork breaks down much, much slower than most other types of wood and should last for years and years even in the most humid conditions.

Question:
Is the background removable or reusable

Answer:
Definitely not. You might be able to pull out some of the wood decor if you'd like to tear down your vivarium, but doing so may break the glass due to our silicone's high levels of adhesion holding things together. Our custom backgrounds should be considered permanent.

Question:
What should I expect when the background is finished and the vivarium is built?

Answer:
All the typical healthy vivarium acclimation signs described in Vivarium Construction 102 are to be expected. In short, after a few weeks the plants will begin to acclimate to the background, moss slurry (if applied) should start to take off, and you can expect to see some microfauna activity in the substrate layer.

Question:
Can I add Ghostwood to this custom background?

Any extra wood decor you purchase (Ghostwood or otherwise) along with this kit will be hand selected for this enclosure and background kit. In other words, hand-selected Ghostwood is still available for our background kits, but the pieces will need to be added to the cart separately.

Question:
Why can't I add Ghostwood directly on this page anymore?

Three issues lead to us dropping the Ghostwood option. First off, the incoming price (to us) of Ghostwood ranges wildly from shipment-to-shipment, based on fuel/freight expense. This makes a steady price for a kit nearly impossible to predict. Secondly, shipping companies have drastically raised their shipping fees for the larger boxes required to ship Ghostwood Branches. This means 20lbs of Ghostwood can cost 200% more to ship than 20lbs of cork, simply due to the product's packaged dimensions! Lastly, even custom backgrounds designed to feature Ghostwood look better with an initial layer of Cork Bark. In fact, nearly every "Ghostwood Background" enclosure pictured in our gallery features an initial layer of Cork. With that considered, the Cork-based Custom Background is by far the best and least expensive starting place. Remember: Any extra wood decor you purchase (Ghostwood or otherwise) along with this kit will be hand selected for this enclosure and background kit!

▴ Hide Background Kit FAQ ▴

Enclosures shown were built using NEHERP Custom Background Kits, and are for reference/inspiration only.
No two wood pieces will be alike, and specific wood requests can't be guaranteed at these prices.
The amounts saved and specific discounts may vary due to rounding and any sales going on now.
Pictured enclosures, plants, substrates, animals, and other decor are sold separately.

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