Terminology

[jclee]

I just want to make sure that I am accurately using terminology. (I did a quick look through the site, and didn't see this covered, so apologies if I am asking questions that are answered elsewhere.)

I had always used "terrarium" and "vivarium" interchangeably. Once I found this site, I did a quick google definition search, which basically claimed that a "terrarium" is a planted enclosure, and "vivarium" is a planted enclosure that accurately reflects a region/environment. However, the usage on this site appears to be that a "terrarium" is a planted enclosure, and a "vivarium" is a planted enclosure in which one keeps animals (frogs, lizards, etc.).

A "paludarium," to my understanding, is a planted enclosure, with animals, that incorporates an aquatic portion, as well as terrestrial.

When I tried to get a definition of "riparium," the search engine told me it was a synonym of "vivarium." How does a riparium differ? What is the exact meaning?

I've been a serious herp hobbyist for over 15 years, and I feel quite the fool for never having thought seriously about this aspect of the terminiology before. If anyone can provide accurate definitions, so that I can distinguish between these types of enclosures, specifically, that would be much appreciated.

[Lasher]

Originally Posted by jclee

I've been a serious herp hobbyist for over 15 years, and I feel quite the fool for never having thought seriously about this aspect of the terminiology before. If anyone can provide accurate definitions, so that I can distinguish between these types of enclosures, specifically, that would be much appreciated.

I wouldnt - the words and their original/proper meanings are not understood by most and are used interchangeably by most(myself included).

Aquarium is directly a latin word meaning source of water, from aquarius, of water,though when originaly in use it refered to a watering place for livestock(a contained source rather than open water).

Vivarium is the neuter of vivarius, of living creatures, in old english referring to an enclosure housing animalia.

Terrarium is new latin from terra, earth, and -arium, an abstract from aquarium meaning containing exclusively specimens of the kingdon Plantae.

Riparium is something I've only come accross recently and I have no idea as to its proper meaning or etymology, though I'd expect it to be an abstract like terrarium.

[jclee]

Thanks for the reassurance, Lasher. The more I thought about it, the more I assumed I was the last person on earth to know the differences between these words. It's comforting to know that terrarium and vivarium are commonly confused.

I do hope that someone else who knows "riparium" chimes in soon. I think that'll be it for living-enclosure-terminology, unless anything can think of anything else.

[Lasher]

Its just occured to me that generaly when I've seen the term used its refered to a partial aquascape - a half filled planted aquaria. Perhaps it means a marginal habitat but differs from a paludarium in that it has no terrestial areas?
Still like to know how to word is derrived if anyone knows.

[jclee]

I think you're right. I just saw a riparium on dendroboard.com, and it was a tank, ~1/2 filled with water, that had terrestrial plants situated at the waterline with secured driftwood and other manner of stuck-to-the-side gear. There was no proper "land," as would be found in a paludarium.

I am so glad that I'm not the only one who's been confused by this in the past.

[Chu'Wuti]

A ripariuim would be an enclosure that incorporates a stream & bank or banks; a riverine environment. From Latin ripari-us (f . ripa bank + um. Etymology from The Compact Oxford English Dictionary unabridged)

I've seen a couple of true riparia in larger tanks, but they are a bit more challenging to create & keep going. The main thing about them is that the water is kept moving in one direction, usually fairly fast. Some fishes need fast-moving water to do well and that's what I've seen them used for.

I'm not sure whether what was posted on dedroboard was a true riparium--if it didn't have the stream moving through the tank & recycling around to create a single direction of flow, I don't think it qualifies as a riparium. However, that's just MHO.

[jclee]

I suppose it wasn't a true riparium, then, although it did look pretty amazing.

[beckdg]

original, derived from, the history of i do not use. if anyone wants to dig up the history for sure that would be interesting to read.

for the sake of use today as far as i know it there's:

aquarium... when we go to the store we'd sound real silly ordering a glass box. for that reason it can be just a glass box. for overall intentions and use it's basically that glass box filled with water and fish.

terrarium... same glass box but maybe can't be filled to the brim because of a front door. for our sakes one could house either plants or animals (terrestrial of course) but not both.

vivarium... a finished product of either of the aforementioned. this however will have both plants and animals of the terrestrial nature.

paludarium... vivarium with the addition of a substantial water portion to house aquatic species in the animal family.

riparium... basically a paludarium without any terrestrial animals.

river tank... a fish tank set up to house species from fast flowing waters. the tank would be plumbed in such a manner to direct flow in one direction to mimic the environment from which such species would be found in the wild.

for more information about ripariums google hydrophyte. he is an active member of many forums i frequent and is at the forefront of the upcoming riparium invasion. he has also written a couple articles for ripariumsupply.com and has a blog devoted to his riparium setups.

also part of the allure of having a riparium is the overall ease of care provided by having the roots of the plants submersed in the water. they are not difficult to maintain in comparison to a regular aquarium or vivarium by any means.

[darc]

I recall a thread about how we shouldn't use the term "orchidarium" (a viv. for orchids) due to it being trademarked by a certain company... but I'm calling first amendment on that...

I can't remember if I called shenanigans on that or if I was new enough that I avoided it... but now I'm brazen enough to openly declare shenanigans. No, I won't sell "orchidariums" - but if somebody thinks they're going to keep me from saying the word...

Orchidarium, orchidarium, orchidarium!
::checks outside for police::

Okay, cool.
-darc

NOTE: Discussing it is actually free advertising for said company... so don't get your knickers in a twist.

[paludarium freak]

I've heard that a riparium is a normal aquarium but then you add little baskets that you hang on the side of the tank (out of water) and put plants in it.