New idea

[lbannie]

So I have a new idea! Currently I have a 40 breeder with 3 firebelly toads and about 15 endlers(they keep multiplying!) I siliconed a divider in and have a piece of driftwood in front

Don't mind the light. I changed it!

So, I don't have much vertical space in the land area for plants. I'm thinking of upgrading to a 65 gallon!
My idea is to put maybe a 10 gallon tank inside the tank to make a "removable" totally separate land area so there's no need to worry about silicone. This way there will be water on the sides instead of seeing silicone and dirt like I do now.
I'm thinking of making a waterfall on both sides of the land area.

Has anyone done this? Stupid? Any better ideas?

[jasonm96]

Oh no don't touch it, looks so cool! I've thought about doing that and I'm sure it will work but If you get another tank why not just get a custom on and get them to install a divider in it for you? That's what I'd do, as then you'll be able to get it exactly how you want. I wouldn't put a waterfall in, fire bellies don't really like moving water

[lbannie]

Lol! Thanks! I like it. Just need more height for plants. The driftwood piece which I love really takes up a lot of space.
Also the 65 gallon is on sale right now with lid/lights and stand for $200![emoji106]

[monster]

That's a very nice setup. Something to think about is dividers will usually start to leak were the old and new silicone meets. I had one in my FBT tank and it lasted exactly a year, and I have now took it out. I find with out the divider I also have more options to change things around if need be, I have actually heard from some people that its good to change up your tank every once in awhile because FBT like to venture and explore there surroundings. Don't know how much truth there is to that but I found when I changed mine around when the divider went they seemed to enjoy the change. If you go with a water fall just try to make it were when it hits the water that the flow slows down so it doesn't make a big current. I have had a water fall in mine ever since I got my guys a 1 1/2 years ago and they are always hanging around it and they love being in the water. My waterfall is just one one of the same canister filters you have placed in the corner with a flat rock leaned against it for the water to flow down. At the bottom I have a another big square shaped rock that the flowing water hits and then flows out around the sides slowing down the current. I will put up picture of my water fall when I get chance, its very basic and if needed its easy to get at. Oh and I like your idea of putting the smaller tank in the 65 for the land, and that's a pretty good deal for that tank.

[jasonm96]

I suppose, yeah there isn't much head space. What's the height on the 65 gal? I'd look for something around 18 inches high, which gives you more opportunity and space after you've included a water section will will take up some height depending on how deep you make it. More space the better and you can simply use a higher % UVB to the distance between the toads and lights.

[jasonm96]

That's a very nice setup. Something to think about is dividers will usually start to leak were the old and new silicone meets. I had one in my FBT tank and it lasted exactly a year, and I have now took it out. I find with out the divider I also have more options to change things around if need be, I have actually heard from some people that its good to change up your tank every once in awhile because FBT like to venture and explore there surroundings. Don't know how much truth there is to that but I found when I changed mine around when the divider went they seemed to enjoy the change. If you go with a water fall just try to make it were when it hits the water that the flow slows down so it doesn't make a big current. I have had a water fall in mine ever since I got my guys a 1 1/2 years ago and they are always hanging around it and they love being in the water. My waterfall is just one one of the same canister filters you have placed in the corner with a flat rock leaned against it for the water to flow down. At the bottom I have a another big square shaped rock that the flowing water hits and then flows out around the sides slowing down the current. I will put up picture of my water fall when I get chance, its very basic and if needed its easy to get at. Oh and I like your idea of putting the smaller the tank in the 65 for the land, and that's a pretty good deal for that tank.

If you get a custom tank I'd imagine it would be better done and less likely to leak than a home-done job. Personally, I'd never attempt to do it myself as I'm **** at DIY lol

[deranged chipmunk]

I've built numerous paludariums, and with the exception of one or two, have always used an egg crate false bottom. It increases your water volume, allowing you to keep water chemistry more stable (smaller water volumes are notoriously difficult to keep parameters stable), you gain hiding space for equipment, and leave plenty of room for improvements/modifications down the road. The only down side is you lose some height, but it's relatively minimal.

From a design point of view, jamming a tank inside of another tank is just silly looking, especially from a naturalistic point of view. And considering a 10g is 14" or so high, how much room are you really gaining? Or are you planning on having plants growing behind glass, behind more glass? Please don't take a wonderful design like you have above, and twist it into some strange looking tank inside tank monstrosity. Go natural! The frog goes will love it!!


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[ericbrookey]

Fully agree with DC. Your tank is very cool as is. Try to let it settle and enjoy it for awhile. As far as the waterfall, mine love theirs and are always sitting on the flat rock letting it flow around them. Just make sure it flows onto something they can chill out on and not to strong but they don't mind a little flow and it keeps the water from going stagnant and moves the detritus around.

Why not just build an extended screen enclosure and place it on top for some plant height?

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[lbannie]

Well, I ended up getting the 65 gallon for Christmas! I love it! I've been toying with different ideas to make fake styrofoam rocks or the great stuff background. I've realized I'm not that artistic! I can't seem to create what's in my mind!
So...... Since I love that piece of driftwood I have I think I'm basically going to do the same thing I have now with a real rock waterfall! Since this tank will have a bit more water should I use glass or acrylic for the divider? I was hoping to not see dirt on the sides of glass, but I think I will have the land go on a diagonal so you would only see dirt on part of left side of tank.

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

I always wanted to do this, but never got a chance to. Maybe you could make a small stream, and make it pool into a small water area. You'd have to lean the tank, or put the soil a certain way, but it still be worth it, just to see how cool it would look

[lbannie]

So I've taken my piece of driftwood from old tank and I'm thinking about this diagonal layout. I have a reptofilter 125gph, but it leaves me very little room to make a rock waterfall around it. Do you think a 90gph reptofilter would be sufficient? That would only give me an extra inch..... Or should I trim back the top piece of wood? I have the 125gph in possible spot

[jarteta97]

I would just trim. Keep it at the same angle so it remains flush, and line it up with the lower driftwood piece

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[lbannie]

Got my glass! Waiting for silicone to arrive.....

[lbannie]

Does this look terrible? I'm thinking of raising it a few inches and hopefully I can get moss or something to grow on it

[ericbrookey]

Not at all! Just imagine it with substrate and it will look fine. I can already see the frogs hanging out on the flat rock of the filter.

[lbannie]

Holding water!

The frogs can't wait for their new home!

[lbannie]

Better than the fake filter?

I have to fill in a couple spots. My reptofilter is in the rocks and I have room to hide the heater in there

[ericbrookey]

Better than the fake filter?

I have to fill in a couple spots. My reptofilter is in the rocks and I have room to hide the heater in there

Nice DIY waterfall. Can't wait to see this one complete.

[lbannie]

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with the background. I'd need something thin, don't want to waste space.
Or should I just leave it glass? I'm thinking I'm going to paint back of tank black

[lbannie]

Still clearing