SamH Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Getting a 350x300x300mm tank made soon (as soon as my dang acrylic arrives) and wanted to make it into a Paludarium or Riparium. So... What's the best way to create the land part of it while still allowing decent water flow around the roots of land plants? Is a paludarium any better for the health of Betta's/Anabantoids than an aquarium? What are the best plants to use in a paludarium of this size? Anything else I need to know about paludariums? Mods, please move this if another area would be more appropriate. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1CK Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Any smaller crypts and anubias would be fine(as anubias is a bog plant :roll: ) http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=40069 and something like those would be good for water flow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 The conflict can be in getting enough light to get plants to grow but not too much that upsets your reptiles. I grow Hydrocotyle leucocephala and verticillata as well as miniature figs with my Japanese fire bellies. The light is quite weak and other plants don't seem to like it much. Java and xmas moss grow well in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I have never had any luck growing Anubias emersed.The humidity would have to be very high and the plants you buy are normally grown submersed so would have to be converted. If you started submersed and let it grow out of the water you might get away with it but it would take a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Bob Ward at Redwood Aquatics grows a number of members of that family emersed but I think with natural and artificial light. Might be worth an enquiry or a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 What if I don't have any reptiles on the land part? Then could I crank up the light? Because I can't see any species we get here being small enough :-? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 i love this one and have always wanted to try and replicate it. I think the easiest way would be to find a patch of private bush/swamp and collect mossy sticks, rocks etc, then let the plants grow from there. Maybe a background of polystyrine with cutout hollows of soil for things to grow into. We have so many native plants that have that cool prehistoric look, they'd be neat in a tank. You'd need a good fitting lid to keep it really humid and some plants might not like the heat, but i think lots would grow well. Pic from here, lots more close ups too - http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2 ... =-1&id=142 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 as for whether it would be better for the betta, i'm sure he'd enjoy all the things to swim around at least, and the warm humid air would probably be good for him. You could put fruit flies and things in there to make it more natural for him too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I am SO making a Paludarium now. I'm thinking of making the land area out of just rocks and gravel/sand in between for the plants to grow in. Probably need to make one of those neat ploystyrene backgrounds too, or could I make the whole thing out of poly? *So many ideas are zooming around my head* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkles Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 i'd be inclined to seperate it off with something, either do a whole poly background with some sticking out bits at the bottom to cover in gravel, or some good flat rock pieces to border the land. You wouldn't want to have it collapse into the water when cleaning. And take lots of pics! So i can copy you lol :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 I always take lots of pics! Be patient, I still have to wait for my acrylic lids to arrive so I can replace my old glass ones and use the old glass ones to make a tank. Reduce, re-use, recycle! Yeah, I was thinking flat rocks too, perhaps siliconed into place? Making a background seems like a bit of a pain in the rear end but if I can track down some epoxy resin then I'd be keen to give it a go. How else could I secure the rocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 You can have as much light as you want, you just need the right type (there are many ideas on that) and the right amount of time for them to be on. Light towards the blue end makes plants more compact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I got nearly no school work done today, too many ideas whizzing around in my head :lol: (We need a new LOL emoticon, that one looks like a twitchy lip!). I'd like to conceal the heater under the land part and run a pump (also concealed) up the back and make a teeny liddle water fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Wowowowowow! http://www.victri.net/tanks/vivarium_2005-06-20.html So keen to try one like this but with far more water. Where can I get some egg crates or a suitable substitute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1CK Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 what about something like this http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/vivarium-terrarium/54864-50g-breeder-paludarium-journal-log.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Cool! That lizard up the top looks like it's living in fear of drowning though :lol: Is it real? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1CK Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 there's no reason why it wouldn't be And it is so awesome i doubt many of those plants are in NZ though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I was thinking of something like this: But I don't know how to conceal the heater and heater and make a waterfall. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 neat plan. but maybe you do not need the platform covering all that space at the bottom where water can go. just a sheet suspended like another level will suffice. then you can have a hole in the middle and have a small pump there, and that can be the water fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thanks P44, I do love SketchUp. But how could I make this "suspended platform"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 sheet of glass or - i like to use coral stands - that way they can be removed and shifted around. HFF has always had coral stands. you may need a relatively chunky tank though __ If you go down the glass route - then take 2 small thin pieces of glass and place them vertically on the sides of the tank (to the height you need) and then rest the real glass platform on it - silicone it there and its there for life. just like a turtle platform only not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I kinda want water flow around the roots of the plants though... Maybe I could make a rock wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 or you can use rigid chicken mesh like stuff. plastic grate. plan roots reach the water that way. I recommend using aureums as plants (or similar - peace lillys will do too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Isn't chciken mesh metal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 yes it is. but you get a plastic rigid straight form as well. I used to use it when i bred fancy goldfish - the eggs would fall through the grate and the fish could not get to it. alternatively, normal rocks will do nicely as well. plants fit in the crevices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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