Setting up a vivarium is an exciting step for any reptile or amphibian keeper, but one of the first questions most people ask is: how much is this actually going to cost? From the initial setup to the ongoing monthly expenses, the price of running a vivarium can vary widely depending on the species you keep, the size of the enclosure, and the equipment required to maintain the right environment.
Heating, lighting, décor, and live food all play a role, and while some costs are one-off purchases, others quickly add up over time. In this blog, we’ll break down both the setup and running costs of a vivarium, helping you understand what to budget for and how to plan realistically before bringing your new inhabitant home.
What's the initial cost of a vivarium set up?
If you’re a beginner looking to set up your very first vivarium, then you’ll probably be wondering what the price tag will look like. Depending on the size of your vivarium and your reptile's needs, the cost will vary. Below you can find some great examples of cost-effective purchases versus more expensive kits.
1. The vivarium enclosure
The enclosure will likely make up the majority of the initial cost, but it’s essential to the health of your reptilian friends that the one you buy can meet their needs. Bigger reptiles typically need more space, or if you have multiple pets in one enclosure, then you’ll need to upgrade the size, which can cost more.
If you’re ever unsure - go bigger! The more space your reptiles have, the more it will reduce their stress and provide a comfortable environment. Prices can vary widely depending on the size, material, and quality you choose:
Small enclosures - smaller enclosures such as this Vivexotic Repti-Home Small Vivarium are typically better for beginners, as not only is their price range lower at around £70-£150, but a smaller vivarium is easier to care for if you have smaller reptiles.
Vivexotic Repti-Home Small Vivarium - £78.99
Large enclosures - Larger or more premium enclosures, such as this Vivexotic Repti-Home Maxi Large Vivariums is designed for big lizards or bioactive environments, however they cost a bit more than smaller vivariums, with the estimated cost between £150-£300.
Vivexotic Repti-Home Maxi Large Vivariums - £174.95
Estimated total cost: £70–£300+
2. Heating and lighting
The heating and lighting setup for a vivarium is crucial for maintaining the right temperatures and light cycle for your reptiles or amphibians, and it represents an important part of your overall initial investment. Basic components include heat lamps or heat mats to provide warmth, UVB and visible light fixtures to support health and activity, and a thermostat or controller to regulate temperatures efficiently.
Heat lamps and mats - it’s important to research what your reptiles need, but there are plenty of beginner-friendly options, such as this Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Vivarium Accessory Kit, which comes in at around £142.99 but gives you everything you need to recreate their natural habitat. If you want to start with something a bit smaller, you can try this Exo Terra Infrared Basking Spot 150w - PT2146 for £11.49.
Exo Terra Leopard Gecko Vivarium Accessory Kit - £142.99
Exo Terra Infrared Basking Spot 150w - PT2146 - £11.49
Lighting fixtures - like this Arcadia 850mm reptile T5 lamp, these are used to create a day/night cycle for your reptiles with essential UVB rays, as well as helping the colours of your vivarium pop. They usually sit within the ranges of £8-£50+.
Arcadia 850mm (39w) D3+ Reptile T5 Lamp (12% UVB) - £27.75
Thermostats - Thermostats are essential for regulating your reptile's habitat. Different to a thermometer that simply tracks the temperature, thermostats work to keep your vivarium within a certain range by automatically managing your heating systems. Each reptile will have a different heat range that keeps them comfortable, and so having a thermostat such as Exo Terra Thermostat, which comes in at around £73.49 with a day/night timer for precise control 24/7. However, you can also find cheaper models, such as this Exo Terra ON/OFF Thermostat, which costs £25.95, to help keep the temperature in the right range while taking the guesswork out to give owners peace of mind.
You should also use a thermometer to keep track of your enclosures' temperature, with options such as this Exo Terra Wide-Range Horizontal Thermometer, being only £3.95.
Exo Terra Thermostat 600W with Day/Night Timer - £73.49
Exo Terra ON/OFF Thermostat 100W/300W with Sensor - £25.95
Exo Terra Wide-Range Horizontal Thermometer - £3.95
Estimated total cost - £40-£270
3. Substrates
Substrates are key to creating a naturalistic, healthy environment for your animal and plants, and while they’re often less expensive than the enclosure or lighting, they still represent an important part of your setup budget. Substrates are the bedding material your animal lives on, typically ranging from around £8-£50 per bag, with bulk options being the more expensive purchase.
The price of different types of substrates based on a few basic biomes includes:
Desert animals, such as a bearded dragon - you can find substrates such as this ProRep Beardie Life substrate, which comes in at around £19.95 for a 10kg bag.
Snake bedding - snakes like bedding such as this ProRep Aspen Bedding, both highly absorbent and odourless. This bedding ensures a safe environment for your snakes and comes in at around £15.45 for a 25L bag.
Tropical/rainforest substrates for animals such as frogs - This Zoo Med Cypress Forest Floor Reptile Bedding is great for tropical-themed vivariums, features 100% natural cypress mulch, which provides a realistic woodland aesthetic and comes in at around £8.80 for a 4.4L bag.
Estimated total: £8-£50
4. Vivarium decor
Depending on how much you want to decorate your vivarium, the overall cost will be different. Some people may prefer a vivarium packed full of live plants, while others may find they and their reptiles prefer something a little less cluttered. However, in order to give your reptiles a happy home life, there are a few essential decor pieces you need to consider.
When setting up a vivarium, providing hides and caves isn’t just about aesthetics; these elements give your reptile or amphibian secure places to rest, reduce stress and help create a more natural environment. The cost of hides and shelters can vary quite a bit depending on size, material and style.
Hides and caves: smaller caves and hides can start as little as £6, but for bigger reptiles, or if you just want to provide your scaly friend with something a bit more spacious, large hides and caves such as this Exo Terra Gecko Cave Large start at £27.99.
Exo Terra Aztec Calendar Stone Hide Out Small - £6.26
Exo Terra Gecko Cave Large - £27.99
Live plants: Adding layers and different types of media is common in vivariums, this includes plants, logs, bark and decorative features. Starter kits and bundled décor packs can be about £20-£50+, depending on size and complexity.
Estimated total: £26-£80
5. Extra costs
Lastly, there are some extra bits you may need for your vivarium, while some are more optional choices, such as vivarium cabinets and stands. Some of these are more essential, like misters and water dishes.
Misting and humidity control - When building a vivarium, especially for tropical or humidity-sensitive species like frogs, chameleons or certain geckos, misting and humidity control equipment can be an important part of creating a healthy environment. Basic automatic misting systems designed for terrariums can start at around £40-£70 for smaller units, like the budget-friendly HabiStat Digital Timer Humidifier, which comes in at £62.45. For hobbyists wanting advanced, automated performance that can handle larger setups or multiple nozzles, professional-grade systems like the Exo Terra Monsoon MULTI II, which sits at £126.95, can range from around £100 up to £300.
HabiStat Digital Timer Humidifier - £62.45
Exo Terra Monsoon MULTI II: Programmable Misting System - £126.95
Vivarium stands and cabinets - These are optional for reptile owners who don’t have a sturdy surface to keep their vivariums on, or for owners looking for extra storage to keep cleaning equipment and food supplies. Prices vary depending on size, style, and material. Simpler stands designed just to hold the tank often range from about £100, but for large stands with cabinets and extra storage, the price range is typically £150-£250+.
Vivexotic Medium Cabinet for Vivarium Storage - £119.99
Vivexotic Repti-Home Cabinet Large Oak - £199.99
Water dishes and food dishes - These are one of the most affordable parts of building a vivarium. The cost for smaller food and water dishes starts at around £5 each or £10 for both of them. However, larger feeding bowls or more decorative dishes can cost £10-£20 each.
Estimated total cost: £134-£520
The final estimated cost of purchasing a vivarium:
| Budget Level: | Tank/Enclosure | Heating and lighting | Substrates | Decoration | Extras | Total (estimated)Cost: |
| Basic/budget friendly set up | £78.99 | £49.39 | £6.35 | £26 | £191.45 | £352.18 |
|
Advanced/larger setup |
£174.95 | £270.43 | £14.90 | £77.99 | £346.98 |
£885.25 |
What's the cost of running a vivarium?
Setting up a vivarium is only the start. If you’re planning on looking after a scaly friend, then you also need to consider the costs of running and maintaining a healthy environment. Below you can find a clear breakdown of the estimated costs of running a vivarium on a monthly basis.
1. Electricity costs
One of the biggest monthly running costs for a vivarium is electricity - especially for reptiles that need constant heat and UV light. This price tag will vary depending on both vivarium size and the type of reptile, and how many of them you’re housing.
Based on UK Ofgem electricity rates, the costs below are an estimate of what you can expect.
- Low-heat species (e.g. crested gecko) - £9-£11/month
- Medium heat species (e.g. corn snake) - £20-£25/month
- Higher heat/lighting (e.g. bearded dragon) - £27-£35/month
2. Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition aren’t something you can avoid when you’re caring for pets, no matter what kind. However, depending on species and size, the cost can vary slightly. Some reptiles will require a diet of frozen rodents or insects, which can cost more than reptiles that prefer a diet of leafy greens.
Insect eaters (e.g. bearded dragons, insectivorous lizards) - small insect-eating reptiles such as geckos may cost £5–£10 per month, mainly for crickets, locusts, mealworms or fruit flies, while larger or more active insectivores like bearded dragons often cost £15–£30 per month due to higher food intake and variety.
Fresh greens and vegetables - herbivorous or omnivorous reptiles require fresh vegetables and greens, which add a small but regular cost of around £2-£7 per month. You can buy these leafy greens from your local supermarket.
Frozen rodents (for larger snakes) - Carnivorous species that eat frozen rodents will cost more overall, but the price depends on what frozen rodent you’re looking for; they usually cost between £3 and £8 per rodent.
Supplements - most reptiles need calcium and vitamin supplements, which are relatively inexpensive and usually last several months, usually costing around £5-£10 per tub.
ZooMed Repti Calcium with Vitamin D3 - £7.99
3. Substrates and cleaning supplies
Spending time and money on cleaning and refreshing your vivarium is very important
- Substrate refresh - Some setups (especially bioactive) need partial substrate replacement every few months or seasons - it might cost £5-£20+, depending on size and materials.
- Cleaning products - Cleaning products such as glass cleaner and reptile-friendly anti-bacterial spray come in at around £6-£8 per bottle, but they will last for months.
- Plant replacements - Live plants sometimes need replacing or trimming - variable over time.
4. Equipment maintenance
Maintaining your vivarium equipment over time adds to the cost of care, because many components, especially heating and lighting gear, wear out and need periodic replacement to keep conditions safe and healthy. This shouldn’t happen often, but it is still something to keep in mind. For example, bulbs and lights usually need to be replaced every 6-12 months, which will typically be between £20 and £50, depending on brand and size.
Other equipment like thermostats, timers, probes, and hygrometers can last several years but may occasionally need replacing or upgrading, adding an extra £20-£60 when required. Overall, many keepers budget around £30-£100 per year for routine equipment maintenance, but on a month-to-month basis, they won't cost anything other than electricity.
5. Vet health costs
While many vivarium inhabitants are hardy when properly cared for, vet and medical costs are an important part of long-term budgeting that shouldn’t be overlooked. While this isn’t a monthly cost, like equipment maintenance, it should still be considered when you’re adding a scaly friend to the family.
Routine wellness checks, parasite treatments, or consultations for injuries or illnesses can vary widely in price depending on the species. Reptile and exotic vets typically charge £40-£80+ for an initial consultation, with more involved diagnostics or treatments costing more. These prices will vary greatly depending on ailment and treatments, so we recommend always having a bit of savings put away for any potential vet bills.
The estimated total cost of running a vivarium
The total costs of keeping your vivarium running each year can be estimated using the table below. For example, if you take the lower end of each aspect and exclude vet costs, you can expect the annual total of running costs to be around £258. Adding this on to your initial setup costs on the budget scale would take your first year of vivarium keeping to a low estimate of £583.19.
| Electricity costs | Food and nutrition | Cleaning | Equipment maintenance | Vet costs |
| £9-35 per month | £5-£30 per month | £5-£20+ per month | £30-£100 per year | £40-£80+ per visit |
Set up the perfect vivarium with Aquacadabra
Setting up and maintaining a vivarium is both a rewarding and financially significant commitment. From the initial investment in a quality enclosure, heating, lighting, substrates, and décor, to the ongoing costs of electricity, food, humidity control, and occasional vet care, the expenses can add up - but careful planning and research can make them manageable.
If you’re ready to dive in and begin setting up your reptile home, then you can browse our wide range of vivarium enclosures at Aquacadabra. Or you can read through our guide on setting up a vivarium if you’re still looking for more advice and guidance.