ProJekt X : Biotope/Paludarium

[izabella87]

Hola... !!
So today I decided to make a new tank for a natural looking biotope (small fish maybe salamanders etc) and paludarium, plants and so on top.
Project is still in the beginning phases but tonight, I put together the aquarium itself and the light fixture.
Last time i built and aquarium, it took me a week, 3 times redone, a total silicon mess, called my apartment the silicone valley... but this time 1 hr, all glued up together

Dimensions of the tank i built are 76 long X 37 high and 37 deep. (in centimeters) equals to 27.5 gallons.

The light is 3 spotlight on panels that are 76 cm high.

I still need to repaint the light fixture and water test the tank itself. Get the plants, the hardscape, wash the hardscape...
But all is going according to the plan.. my vague plan hehe..

Here are a few pics !
Inside
The side
Light
Futur location

[izabella87]

Two days later... The set up, is up!
No fish or any other animal because it hasnt cycled yet.. but its DONE

[crazydaz]

Ooh! Lovely! It already looks mature and delish, and you did a great job constructing this Izabella!

Would you mind sharing your specs and species list with the masses?

[izabella87]

Sure, there are 3 tall ones which are Avocado trees I've grown from a seed.
At the extremities of it got coffee bean bushes (make coffee ).
There are a few tropical ferns near the edge of water.
In the water there is Java ferns.
And the driftwood and moss comes from local river.
There is clay as substrate and structure to whole the hill upright.

[2in10]

Very pretty and a wonderful design on the tank.

[wetbizquit]

wow very impressive, will you teach me how to build a light strucure? i also noticed that painting of that woman on your wall, do you paint? im an art major and its what i do for a job, that would be interesting to see how many aquamaniacs do art

[izabella87]

Originally Posted by 2in10

Very pretty and a wonderful design on the tank.

Thank you
Not bad for a girl hehe..
I was suposed to make a waterfall on the huge rock in the back but there wasnt enough water depth for my pump to bring it up. So i rescaped and put my avocado trees in the back.

[izabella87]

Originally Posted by wetbizquit

wow very impressive, will you teach me how to build a light strucure? i also noticed that painting of that woman on your wall, do you paint? im an art major and its what i do for a job, that would be interesting to see how many aquamaniacs do art

Hi!
Thank you.
The light struckture. Very easy. Before i glued (siliconed i should say) the last piece of the aquarium, its top( glass pannel) I glued the base of the light structure on it then siliconed it to the side pannels. When it dried, I put the lights in place (its like a screw in system) 20$ light from Ikea !!!
For the painting. Yes its me. I also am artist. here is my website
www.visionaryillusion.wordpress.com
Hope to see some of your work

[hydrophyte]

Wow that is very nice.

[izabella87]

Made a few changes to give more space for futur fish

[HybridHerp]

wait, did i read this right? there are avocado trees and coffee bean bushes in here?
...I want :P
what fish are you planing on keeping in this? I would've thrown in a random mudskipper request but pretty sure that they need a more brackish setup, aside from the fact that this thing looks way to cool to have to deal with that

[izabella87]

Originally Posted by HybridHerp

wait, did i read this right? there are avocado trees and coffee bean bushes in here?
...I want :P
what fish are you planing on keeping in this? I would've thrown in a random mudskipper request but pretty sure that they need a more brackish setup, aside from the fact that this thing looks way to cool to have to deal with that

Yes Mudskippers, goby, rams, endlers and ottos.

The Avocados are super easy to grow, give them enough light and water !!

Thanks for encouragement !!

[CmLaracy]

I like this a lot, quite elegant. Always been a fan of emersed growth. The way in which you have this laid out reminds be of wabi-kusa, pretty cool.

[crazydaz]

How do you trim an avocado tree, Izabella? Constant pruning of a sapling will kill it eventually, no?

[izabella87]

Originally Posted by crazydaz

How do you trim an avocado tree, Izabella? Constant pruning of a sapling will kill it eventually, no?

Mine stopped growing when it reached the sun(light) i think it will make leafs lower now.