30-40 gal paludarium build

[Tobiascole]

I just ordered a bunch of plants from NEHerp and am going to buy a tank soon for some red spotted newts. Its going to be a half land half water tank, and I am really excited. I have drawn up some plans and am prepared to wait patiently for as many weeks or months this will take.


I'm going to use expanding pond foam to separate the land from water. I'm putting rocks in with the foam to give it a more natural look. In the land side there will be a small background with a stick sticking out of it going into the ground. Then right where the stick goes into the ground, I'm going to have another stick sticking into the water to make it look like the roots of a tree going into a pond/stream. Any advice or criticism is appreciated.

[deranged chipmunk]

First criticism, redesign your divider, foam won't work. It needs to be divided with something like glass or plexi/lexan/carbonite. I've seen many people try the foam route and they all failed. It just does not seal like that. Second is you don't want to layer your soils, better off mixing them. You will also need to add some "chunky" items in the soil, so it drains. Otherwise, you get a compacted, nasty bog that will cause root rot in most plants. ABG mix is perfect for this application.

Otherwise, nice design. I look forward to seeing it progress.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[DigitalPunk]

I second not separating the to sections using foam. You will spend a week or more fighting with it to get it to work and in the end will have to rip it out and spend more money correcting it.

You could also just build up a half false bottom

[jarteta97]

Agreed with Paul and Bill. I would really just do what Paul did and go with a half false-bottom. You won't have to worry about the weight of gravel, and it'll just be a lot cheaper and easier IMO.

Can't wait to see the build

[Tobiascole]

Thank you everybody. I think Ill go with the false bottom. It seems easier and cheaper. Thank you again. Looks like this week is going to be full of runs for supplies

[DigitalPunk]

If you want to keep the frogs out from under the land you can put a piece of egg crate down as a wall to separate the two. You could even use some Spray foam on that egg crate to hide it and make it look like wood, dirt, or rocks

And I also highly recommend ABG mix for your soil. It is fantastic! NeHerp also sales their take own terrarium substrate that is excellent as well. I use Both and have had great success with each

[deranged chipmunk]

I agree with Carlos, native soil, wood chips and grass clippings essentially make it a compost heap. That brings with it a lot of bacteria and even worse, heat. Better to use something pre prepared, like ABG mix or a home made equivalent.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Tobiascole]

okay sounds good. What are the ingredients in ABG? I don't want to spend to much money as I am on a tight budget.

[Tobiascole]

Quick question. For the water area, what substrate should I use? I plan on having aquatic plants. Is sand or large gravel okay?

[Tobiascole]

Also I made my own version of ABG. I have Tree fern, Orchid bark, Coco fiber, charcoal, and i'm going to add sphagnum soon.

[deranged chipmunk]

Also I made my own version of ABG. I have Tree fern, Orchid bark, Coco fiber, charcoal, and i'm going to add sphagnum soon.

don't forget sphagnum peat moss. plants need iron and that is a great source for it

[deranged chipmunk]

Quick question. For the water area, what substrate should I use? I plan on having aquatic plants. Is sand or large gravel okay?

sand is fine, i use it in most of my aquatic tanks. make sure you rinse it thoroughly