30 minute Semi Aquatic Tank project

[SludgeMunkey]

This is not a step by step build photo thread as the construction is so simple it is not worth posting all the pictures.


Here is an example of a modified US 10 gallon tank for semi-aquatic species.

Price List:

10 gallon tank- 12USD
Small piece of acrylic sheet (12"x12"x1/8th" at Home Depot)- 5USD
Aquarium safe silicone sealant - 5USD
Small bag of Aquarium gravel - 85 cents a pound bulk (used about 1.5 lbs)
Bag of river rocks- 1USD at the dollar store

The moss is from my yard. The potting soil and coir I keep on hand.

Construction time is 15 minutes, not including a week to let the silicone cure properly!

Simply cut a piece of the acrylic sheet to fit across the aquarium so that it fits tightly. Sand the bottom edge corners a bit to allow a space for the silicone already in the tank!) Acrylic sheet of this thickness can be easily "cut" buy scoring a deep line with a nail (or other sharp pointy object) along a ruler. Align the score with a table edge and merely snap it off. This gives you a clean break along the score. Next position the piece in the tank and prop up one side with a few small books or whatever and silicone it in place.
After a day or two, do a leak test by adding water and watching for it on the "dry side". Dry out the tank and seal any leaks. I glued a bunch of river rocks to the divider for both critter traction and aesthetic reasons. In this application a very small amount of silicone was used so that the spaces between the rocks remain open for easy cleaning with a turkey baster. Wait a week for all silicone to cure completely.

Once the silicone is cured, remove the books and add your substrate of choice. I use a layer of aquarium gravel at the bottom just in case any water makes it through the divider and for how it looks through the divider. I added a layer of coir strictly to demonstrate layering clearly for an article I am finishing up for Caudata Culture. Over that I packed in a layer of pesticide/herbicide/fertilizer free potting soil (not mulch or compost!). Next a nice carpet of moss and few river rocks for decoration.

Add water and it is ready to go! (no hides are pictured for clarity, but fear not, my critters have their beloved cork bark in there!)

Such a set up is suitable for a good number of terrestrial, semi-aquatic anura and caudata.

Here is a shot with the new owners "installed":

[Kerry1968]

This is a really easy to do set-up, what a great idea, thanks for sharing Johnny.

[John]

Very nice.

[Tom Highum]

Quick, Easy, Cheap, and Looks Nice. Good job Johnny. What would you recommend for the sealant? I have heard GE silicon II works fine and comes in a variety of colors. Because the silicon sold at aquarium stores is expensive.

[SludgeMunkey]

I only use DAP Aquarium Silicone. I have seen people use other types but I personally would not. The problem with GE II is it is not rated for submerged use, technically speaking.

[Ebony]

I can't seem to open the photo's

[Wyomingite]

I only use DAP Aquarium Silicone. I have seen people use other types but I personally would not. The problem with GE II is it is not rated for submerged use, technically speaking.

Well, I can't get the pic, but I'm sure it looks good as I've seen yer other work.

I started lookin' at silicone for aquarium use when I had a coupla leakers last month as I was settin' my tanks up. I found Loctite has a 100% silicone, fungicide free silicone. It even says that it is safe for aquarium use on the packaging. Got it at Lowe's for cheaper than the stuff at a pet store. So far so good, ran through the nitrogen cycles and have fish and live plants in one of 'em I used it on. No problems.

WYite

[Tom Highum]

Sorry to bring up an old thread but would this work if i used 1/8 in thick plastic instead of plexi?

[John]

Provided the plastic bonds to aquarium silicone (most don't), yes.

[Tom Highum]

I have a friend who owns a sign printing shop. He said he would cut me some pieces of plastic that he called "white 030 styrene hips" do you know if that will work?