Bill,

The water base was chosen because I would like to use this tank as rain chamber down the road. I also was experimenting with a different take on a tree frog tank. I really like the natural look to the Mantella tank I did so I am trying to apply that in various ways to other tanks going forward. I also wanted to heat the tank using an aquatic heater. They are cheaper than heat emitters and hoods for them. I know You could build a false bottom and place an aquatic heater in it, but I am trying to use as little artificial products in these tanks as possible.

Originally I was going to do several pots in the water, but it was a huge pain to weight them down enough to keep them from floating. I decided to go with the glass bowl so all the soil was in one container so hopefully the Springs will keep booming and not flock to the water surface like they are in the Mantella tank lol.