Brief intro - I have 5 total RETF. 3 of them are currently in quarantine. 2 of those 3 are ready to be added, but due to some dissatisfaction with my current RETF tank I have decided to put together a relatively simple and basic natural style setup in a empty 18x18x24 I had laying around. The general idea is to introduce 2 of the 3 new RETF with the 2 originals when they move into the new tank. This will hopefully cause them all to pay more attention to the new digs and less to the fact there are strangers amongst them.

Basic idea - If you followed my 40B build on this forum than the layout till be similar for the substrate (minus the big slate rocks). The bottom of the tank will have 3 - 4 inches of water with a 1 inch layer of Dirt and aquatic soil on the bottom. The water will have leaves and sticks in it to simulate the bottom of a pond, lake, etc. The water will be populated with Ghost shrimp. The water section will receive very little maintenance and the Shrimp will be left to their own devices with very sparse external feeding sources put in for them other than the naturally occurring algae. The land mass(es) will comprise of 3 pots for plants that have no openings below the wage reline (this will prevent the soil in the pots from becoming swamp. The soil in the pots will be seeded with springtails. Some wood accents will be added as will a stand to place the feeding bowl on. Primary water source will be the aquatic section for the frogs (but I will be prepared to introduce a water bowl if they look like they want another option).

This build is already well on it's way and I decided to do a post a bit late. The below picture is of the tank with the aquatic section completed and the water cycling a bit. It has been running for 24 hours now and I will let it continue to cycle without shrimp for another 48 hours. The main center plant is in place and pots have been put in for some Snake Plant/Pothos. The wood for the tank is on order and will be here next week hopefully. This tank will also be setup (in the near future) to double as a rain chamber. I am considering letting the tadpoles hatch and live in the aquatic section and then remove the froglets when they morph and climb out. Though that is subject to change if I suspect I will have any issues with it.

Here is a pic of the tank while I was adding the leaves and sticks to the Aquatic section prior to adding the water. I will take more pics tomorrow. The tank is right across from the M. Betsileo tank and I am leaving them alone in the dark as much as possible to help them settle faster.



The flower pot in the front right is where the food bowl will sit. I have cut holes in the sides of this pot to allow water to flow through it and give the shrimp a bit more room to explore.

Note: The center plant was picked up from Home Depot for $2.00 and was near death. I nursed it back to health.. well mostly, Rinsed the roots off good and processed it in bleach water for 15mins. I am not sold on the plant as the center piece for this tank, but it will do until the local nurseries stock up.