This was our first setup attempt. We had this tank running for a couple of months and just finished making Version 2, which is basically the same with a few tweaks here and there. I will post the new enclosure as soon as I get a chance to compile some photos together


This is how it looks now:


1) Tank has a false bottom made with gutter mesh - We are using some PVC pipes to elevate it from the base.


2) Laid some gravel on top of that creating a 'land' area and a 'pond' area.


3) Installed a canister filter that I'm also using to create a waterfall.


4) I have a concave piece of branch that I'm using as a 'slide' to get water back into the pond.


5) Added some plants, moss and some fish.


7) Added light. Twin tube fitting. a) Aqua One T8 "Tropical" and b) Reptile One UVB 10


Here are some photos....
















I'm happy with the 'slide' area. I see frogs enjoy getting in there, as they can get wet and jump into a rock, without having to swim.


They love getting into the big pond at night, I see them swimming and going deep and up again. Then they climb up the glass, as opposed to just using the rocks to get out... (maybe because they are tree frogs?)


Things that I'm not happy with:


1) Need a waterfall. At the moment I have a piece of hose bringing the water into the tank (from the filter). I would need to create something nicer.


I think the materials I used (styrofoam, expanding foam, coco peat and silicone) kinda worked but I failed on creating a nice waterfall. I have fixed that in our new setup.


Didn't create small pot/soil containers in the background so it's difficult to get plants to cover the upper section.


2) Pond:
The branches look great but they stain the water. I read that they release 'tannic acid' and that this is a good defence against bacteria, but makes the water look like tea (which is a pretty realistic effect, but I would prefer to be able to see the fish and some tadpoles that live there)


Still not sure how to fix this.


3) Soil
Plants are in pots now but I would love to create an environment that sustains by itself having plants on the ground.


I will post the new setup here soon