Ready to set up my 45 cm x 45 cm x 60 cm Exo-Terra

[natureXpert]

Hi everybody! I have been on this forum for too long without really participating but now it's time to change all that.

I want to set up my 45cm x 45cm x 60cm Exo-Terra terrarium. In fact, I want to create a terrestrial habitat and also a small aquatic habitat. I don't know yet what kind of animals I want to put in it but I would like this habitat to have a few different species in most of those groups (amphibians, fish, reptiles, molluscs, worms, insects, spiders, crustaceans ...). I could capture a few of those animals in the wild and add others from the pet shop.

Here are some photos of my terrarium and the cork that I have just put to give me an idea of what it will look like when finished. Which one do you suggest me to use? The one with only the cork in the back wall or the one with three corks on all the walls except the front?

Thanks for your help!

[Flying Dutchman]

My choice would be the first one. This leaves some room for plants etc.

[natureXpert]

My choice would be the first one. This leaves some room for plants etc.

Thanks Johan for your advice. Can you give a vote so in a few days I will have all the vote on my poll?

[Flying Dutchman]

Done!

[Mentat]

...In fact, I want to create a terrestrial habitat and also a small aquatic habitat. I don't know yet what kind of animals I want to put in it but I would like this habitat to have a few different species in most of those groups (amphibians, fish, reptiles, molluscs, worms, insects, spiders, crustaceans ...). I could capture a few of those animals in the wild and add others from the pet shop...

Most strongly recommend that you research organisms desired and stick to one species, with some "janitors" in the substrate to process and reduce organic matter. Mixing different species amphibians among themselves or with other listed animals; will end badly for most; if not all of them . In nature these animals compete and/or prey with/on each other. In a small enclosure with no possible escape; this will certainly happen very fast resulting in severe injuries or even death .

IRT walls covered; the main consideration you want to give, is to enclosure's final internal space and volume. The more walls you build, the less internal space for plants and creatures the vivarium will have. Good luck !

[natureXpert]

In fact, I would like to introduce a red-bellied newt. I had a few in the past and I kept one of them for fifteen years. I would also like to introduce a few small fishes, some freshwater shrimp, a few snails, some slugs, earthworms, meal worms and maybe a few other insects like criquets. The only predator in all of those would be the newt.

What do you think?

[deranged chipmunk]

There isn't enough of a water tight section in that tank to properly house a newt, fish AND shrimp, and still have enough terrestrial area for all the other creatures you want to add. You may want to rethink things.

[natureXpert]

My choice is not made yet so I have more thinking to do. I'm probably going to remove the next from my choice. Freshwater shrimp, snails, slugs and some insects may be a better choice.

Any other suggestions?

[deranged chipmunk]

A lot would depend on how you incorporate a land section. I have a paludarium the same size, and with a decent sized terrestrial area, I could never keep shrimp in it. Well, i could, but since shrimp are such prolific breeders, I would be pulling extras out every day.

I know it seems like a bit tank, but like Carlos stated, once you start building inside, lack of space makes you become seriously limited.

[natureXpert]

Ok I understand. I just decided to just have the back wall covered by cork so I will have more space available inside for critters.