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Thread: 30-40 gal paludarium build

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    Red face 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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.
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Size:  44.3 KB 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.

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    Default 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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.


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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Blue Jeans' (2014 Nicaragua Import)
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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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
    “Life is a journey, not a destination.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Blue Jeans' (2014 Nicaragua Import)
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Chirique Grande' F1
    1.1.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Citronella'
    1.2.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Azureus'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'Sipaliwini'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'New River'
    0.0.4 - D. Tinctorius 'Leucomelas'
    0.0.4 - Terribilis 'Mint'
    1.1.0 - R. Ventrimaculatus 'French Guiana'

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Thanks Paul! I actually have ordered some supplies from Neherp and they should come in around thursday or friday. I think i'm going to take your advice about the egg crate with foam and go with that. I'm even going to pick up the tank some time in the next few days. Its a 35 gallon long tank with a hole in it for plumbing so its going to be great. Any ideas on what filters I should use? I have almost no experience with this and help is very much appreciated, from anybody. Much research is going to be done.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    I got the tank so pictures will come soon. My order of plants/supplies was delayed so it will come in next week. Very excited.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Here are all my supplies I got from NEHerp and Home Depot!

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    Here I have my false bottom ready for action! I'm going to spray foam the little wall of egg crate in the middle to make it more naturalistic. I have decided against having a stick going into the water. I'm going to make more swimming space.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    I like the pipes laying on their sides like that can't wait!!! keep the updates coming
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Blue Jeans' (2014 Nicaragua Import)
    1.1.0 - Oophaga Pumilio 'Chirique Grande' F1
    1.1.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Citronella'
    1.2.0 - D. Tinctorius 'Azureus'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'Sipaliwini'
    0.0.2 - D. Tinctorius 'New River'
    0.0.4 - D. Tinctorius 'Leucomelas'
    0.0.4 - Terribilis 'Mint'
    1.1.0 - R. Ventrimaculatus 'French Guiana'

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hashtagfrogs
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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Quote Originally Posted by DigitalPunk View Post
    I like the pipes laying on their sides like that can't wait!!! keep the updates coming
    It was a new idea. I needed more height and the pipes were wider than taller so I put them on their side.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    New Update.



    The bottom foam got a lot thicker than expected, so I am going to trim it down a bit. The soil is regular dirt mixed with wood chips and dying grass to give it nutrients. Name:  IMG_1513.jpg
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Size:  84.1 KBI decided to make a little river going from the wall to the water area just as a way to get water back to the water area after it has been filtered.

    The bottom foam got a lot thicker than expected, so I am going to trim it down a bit. The soil is regular dirt mixed with wood chips and dying grass to give it nutrients.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Quote Originally Posted by Tobiascole View Post
    ... The soil is regular dirt mixed with wood chips and dying grass to give it nutrients.
    Sorry; but that is not a good idea . You want to either buy (Josh Frogs) or make your own ABG type soil (search in forum for directions).

    Regular dirt, unknown wood chips, and grass do not belong in a future home for frogs. Only fertilizer recommended for most common users are aquarium plant fertilizers from Seachem or Brightwell Aquatics mixed with distilled or dechlorinated tap water according to label directions.
    Remember to take care of the enclosure and it will take care of your frog !​

  20. #14

    Default 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
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    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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.

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

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

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    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.

  25. #18

    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Quote Originally Posted by Tobiascole View Post
    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
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

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  27. #19

    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    Quote Originally Posted by Tobiascole View Post
    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
    1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
    0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
    0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
    0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
    0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
    0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
    0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
    0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
    1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
    0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
    0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
    0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
    0.2.0 Canines
    1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
    2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
    0.1.0 Bed Bully

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    Default Re: 30-40 gal paludarium build

    I now have plants.


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    I added in a river for the newts to have shallow water, and it was just something quick and easy I was able to do. I put in sphagnum on the top of the substrate and I just put in a bunch of isopods and red worms.

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