30-40 gal paludarium build

[deranged chipmunk]

I agree with Carlos, native soil, wood chips and grass clippings essentially make it a compost heap. That brings with it a lot of bacteria and even worse, heat. Better to use something pre prepared, like ABG mix or a home made equivalent.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Tobiascole]

okay sounds good. What are the ingredients in ABG? I don't want to spend to much money as I am on a tight budget.

[Tobiascole]

Quick question. For the water area, what substrate should I use? I plan on having aquatic plants. Is sand or large gravel okay?

[Tobiascole]

Also I made my own version of ABG. I have Tree fern, Orchid bark, Coco fiber, charcoal, and i'm going to add sphagnum soon.

[deranged chipmunk]

Also I made my own version of ABG. I have Tree fern, Orchid bark, Coco fiber, charcoal, and i'm going to add sphagnum soon.

don't forget sphagnum peat moss. plants need iron and that is a great source for it

[Tobiascole]

I now have plants.




I added in a river for the newts to have shallow water, and it was just something quick and easy I was able to do. I put in sphagnum on the top of the substrate and I just put in a bunch of isopods and red worms.

[Tobiascole]

Please excuse the terrible pictures.

[deranged chipmunk]

Quick question. For the water area, what substrate should I use? I plan on having aquatic plants. Is sand or large gravel okay?

sand is fine, i use it in most of my aquatic tanks. make sure you rinse it thoroughly