my weekend warrior project, 125G paludarium

[deranged chipmunk]

i hope i am posting this in the correct section, if not, i hope a mod will move it to the proper forum

i have definitely been bitten by the vivarium/paludarium bug. i have been planning this project for quite a while, so since i had a 4 day weekend this weekend, i figured i might as well get on it. it's a standard marineland 125g tank, 72"x18"x21". my intention is for it to be a stream side bed. dart frogs will live on the land and i am leaning towards cardinal tetras and abn's in the blackwater stream section. however, i keep flip flopping between that and shrimp and oto's. that will probably be decided upon at the very last minute. now for the pics:

this was my original footprint of my land section, the idea was to have 2 waterfalls, one on the left and a large one to the right, that would feed the beginning of the stream:


that may still be the plan, if i can figure out the design of the waterfall in my head. i want it to be a removable section so i can access equipment.

so while i am working on design for the right side, i decided to build the left side. basic structure built:





i built a "shaft" that will house the pump for the water feature on the left, and it will be removable to access equipment. the tank heater will be suctioned to the floor of the tank under this section, as well as a small powerhead to keep circulation up under the land section to avoid stagnant water. also, the pvc pipes are all drilled with extra holes to prevent stagnant water from building up inside of them and raising toxic levels. here's the left side, foamed in. you can see the shaft i built, now i just have to trim the background so it slides in and out easily.


that's all for this week on this one. i'll post another update on what i get accomplished this upcoming weekend.
__________________
-Bill

[deranged chipmunk]

oh, and i also started this little bitty this weekend, not sure if it going to be for another type dart frog, newts or just a versatile quarantine tank. it's a 20L with an ancient viquarium setup in it that i modified a bit.

[Adam R]

that is a heck ton of foam. im almost finished my paludarium as well. i hope all goes well with yours!

[deranged chipmunk]

thanks adam it's actually less than you would think. the 125 only has 2 16oz. cans into as it sits. the 20 is one 12oz. can. do you have pics or a thread on yours? i would love to see it.

[Tyson]

Its going to be awesome! cant wait to see it finished!

[deranged chipmunk]

thanks tyson.......i can't wait either. LOL hoping to get it running and seeded before the hamburg show in case i find any leucs. there.

[Adam R]

http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...ank-setup.html

i need to get my nikon from work to take some better pics. i took them on the iphone. i get my broms shipped to me hopefully this week so ill post up more pics.

i only have 5in of water so i also havnt decided if it'll have tropical fish or not. what about yours?

[deranged chipmunk]

after substrate, i should have roughly 6" of water. so i am thinking either some cardinal tetras and bristlenose plecos, or (and this is probably the route i am going), shrimp and otocinclus. and all my pics are taken with my phone. it actually takes better pics than my ancient camera...LOL

[mikesfrogs]

What type of foam is that?

that is a heck ton of foam. im almost finished my paludarium as well. i hope all goes well with yours!

[deranged chipmunk]

great stuff Mike. there's about 12 cans worth in this tank.....lol if i ever get back onto my red eye tank, that will have construction insulating styrofoam in it.

[Heatheranne]

Lol!!!! Sorry, had to chuckle at that one .

[deranged chipmunk]

It's ok. I'm used to it. I talk things out out loud. I also use a lot of whiteboards. I do it at work (i'm a mechanic) and home. Everyone thinks i'm nuts, but hey, whatever works, right. Although i'm sure it's comical hearing me yell at myself.......lol

[Heatheranne]

Ha ha! No worries, I'm a nurse so I'm constantly multitasking, at home and at work. Completely understand .

[deranged chipmunk]

And you're also used to dealing with crazies like me, i'm sure......lol

[Heatheranne]

Ha ha ha!!!!! Yep

[deranged chipmunk]

ok, got a little bit done this past weekend. added grout and siliconed/coc fibered the right side of the background. that parts is all but finished. just need to do some touch ups, a little bit of paint work on the grout and then seal it. the left side, is becoming another argument between the contractor and architect. the architect's original plan was to have a "rocky slope" on the left side. the contractor thinks this stump works better. the property owner is letting them duke it out....lol here's where we stand as of this evening.

[deranged chipmunk]

this should be my last "construction post". everything is now built, foamed, carved and fibered. i just have to do some touch ups, apply another coat of "clear" to my rockwork and then get it up on it's stand so i can water test everything. once i'm happy with the water test, i can start planting. My goal is to have plants in this sucker sunday night, but i'm not going to rush it. we'll just see how it goes.

there are no full tank shots yet, after she's on her stand i can take them. right now, a couple close ups

right side middle:


right side, above the water feature


right side middle, clear is still drying


left side middle:


left side:


left side land mass, look ma, no stump!!!


dat's all for now

[FriedrichsFrogs]

Holy mother of god on the cross savin us all jesus the merciful comin down from heaven, I had no idea what you were sayin on about 90% of this forum but these last few pics are incredible.

[FriedrichsFrogs]

your a madman Bill

[Sunshine]

holy mother of god on the cross savin us all jesus the merciful comin down from heaven, i had no idea what you were sayin on about 90% of this forum but these last few pics are incredible.

lmfao!!!