Been looking around on all the info on terrariums here on Garden Web. Thanks to all who share their experience.

I picked up this hexagon bottle, made in Italy embossed on the bottom.

It is 13" tall upright or 8" tall laying on its side. It has an opening of 4-1/2" . Also, it has a 3/4" round cut opening about 2" from the base. Seemed like a good buy at $2 and at the time I thought 'Terrarium'.

Here is what I have for supplies from gardening:

Cow manure

Peat moss

Planting or potting soil

coconut mats from hanging baskets

2 ice creme buckets of polished agates

10lb bag of pea gravel

Bag of sand

Left over items from past fish/terreriums projects such as bark pieces, rocks, coral

Now, the stupid question:

How should I build the base soil? Having a larger opening like I do should make it easy to insert things.

I have thought of making a small hill or slope towards the front as this container sits on one of it's hex sides. I can also use a small aquarium light from a hexogon style aquarium I have. This should attach well to one of the hex sides on the back side.

I want to do the base right and avoid using the wrong mixtures. Also I plan on sterilizing items that will be accents.

I also have a small fan that runs off of a Size D battery. I have several rechargeable batts also. I will direct air into the 3/4" opening thru vinyl tubing if the need arises for more air flow. That will come later.