Paludarium for Taricha granulosa. Work in progress

[Iratus ranunculus]

Bit of background:
I have been trying to get my grubby mits on T. granulosa for years. The part of TX I live in has very little in terms of specialized herp stores or anything like that. In fact, there is nothing, and amphibians get short shrift in the shows that come through. As a result, I have to order. Now, last year, I ordered a pair, but ended up getting a pair of Paramesotriton chinensis instead. Apparantly the supplier for the place I ordered from was U.S. Global Exotics... so that explains why there was a bad ID, and why they arrived in such poor condition. I managed to save one, and fell in love with her (so to speak). So, not so bad. Still, wrong species.

Well, I have tried again. No idea what sex (not that I care), but the Newt gets here on Tuesday.

What I have planned is a fully living Paludarium. Complete with in-tank invert cultures. Copepods and the like.

Here are the photos of what I have done so far. I need to wait a while for the aquarium sealant to cure.





I have a decorative Reptofilter in the back, and the tank divider is raised a little bit above the floor of the tank. This will allow the filter to draw water from the aquatic section through the terrestrial section. The substrate I am using has a pre-established colony of nitrifying bacteria, and I use all live plants.

Update:

OK. I have step two done. The construction of the stream bed. The reptofilter is less of a waterfall in this case, and more like a natural spring. The stream itself will contain pebbles and small aquatic plants/moss. And yes, that is a butchered piece of rain gutter.

[Spoket]

i´ve got to follow this thread
very intresting setup

[Spoket]

How is it going?
I´d love to see more pics.

[bshmerlie]

How is it going?
I´d love to see more pics.

Yeah update...update!

[froglover27]

It looks fantastic!! Can't wait to see more