First Paludarium, Shrimptopia, 56k Warning!!! New pictures, 2/27

[cableguy69846]

Ok. So after transferring everything from one 10 gallon tank to another, I have a 10 gallon tank sitting empty. So, I am going to try a Paludarium. This is what I have so far.

Tetra internal filter
2 10 watt full spectrum mini CFL bulbs
Not sure what I am going to do with. Probably EcoComplete for the water section and regular potting soil for the land part.



I am not sure if I am going to use the plant pots or do a plexi separation with a fake background that would incorporate a waterfall for the filter return. Let me know what you think. I would also like some suggestions on plants. I am thinking I will only have 4 to 5 inches of water on top of the substrate in the water section. I am also thinking I want at least one dwarf frog in the water section. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

[cableguy69846]

Ok. So this project is getting pushed back a little bit due to funds and the fact that I can not go 2 min. without dumping money into one or two of my tanks. I added water and got the filter running. I also put a piece of driftwood in and put some java fern plantlets on it to see how they do. I would add a picture but a certain hosting site is down ATM. So, when it is back up, I will add them. I also got a few plants that I might like to use in this if I can when it is up and running. As of right now, it is more a experiment then anything else. Here is the plant list:

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal Plant
Spathiphyllum wallisii - Peace Lily (?)
Anubius barteri var. nana (?)
Ammannia senegalensis - Red Ammannia (?)
Glossostigma elatinoides - Glosso
Vesicularia dubyana - Java Moss
some type of water fern and some more moss, probably christmas moss and peacock moss.

Let me know what you think. The ones with the ? I am not sure on yet. Any suggestions would also be good. Thanks.

[cableguy69846]

Ok, now that all my technology issues are taken care of, here is what I have.



This is not a permanent setup, but a good experiment until I can really get this thing off the ground.

[Bowser]

Whered you buy that filter? I'd love to buy one of those :P maybe copy your idea... xD

[vespers_]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Whered you buy that filter? I'd love to buy one of those :P maybe copy your idea... xD

it's a tetra reptofilter. you can get them pretty much anywhere.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752353

[cableguy69846]

Originally Posted by vespers_

it's a tetra reptofilter. you can get them pretty much anywhere.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752353

+1. I think I got mine at Pet Co. I originally had it for my fry tank as it was tucked inside a book shelf and there was no room for a HOB. But it was not powerful enough, so I decided it would be good for this application.

[kamikazi]

Originally Posted by cableguy69846

Ok. So this project is getting pushed back a little bit due to funds and the fact that I can not go 2 min. without dumping money into one or two of my tanks.

I know the feeling, the wife put me on a limit so I can't spend too much money on fish related things in any given month

[cableguy69846]

Originally Posted by kamikazi

I know the feeling, the wife put me on a limit so I can't spend too much money on fish related things in any given month

I had to do that to myself, or I would spend all my money and not pay bills. I don't think it helps that I am building about 5 vivs for reptiles and I am setting up 2 more tanks plus this one. I am going to be broke for a while. Lol.

[cableguy69846]

Well. Not much to update. Well, actually, nothing. Just got back from Michigan, so I am going to be getting back to this build tomorrow. I will be making a new light hood for it then, and, hopefully, wiring it up next week along with some foam work. Stay tuned....

[cableguy69846]

Ok, so there was supposed to be a fun update today. Well, due to some material issues, (I HATE MDF) it is not going to happen. I started making the hood, and got 90% done with all the sawing and wood working aspect of it, and hated it and tossed it in the bin. I will need to get a good piece of plywood to do this, as MDF is crap. So it will happen next weekend instead. Stay tuned.

[cableguy69846]

Ok. I have been away from this project for a while. I took out the pots and added some more Java Fern. I also added another light bulb since the hood build failed for the moment, and added a glass top over most of the tank. I am going to use saran wrap over the back 2 inches to keep the humidity in it. Here is how it looks at the moment. The big piece of Java was added yesterday.



I am hopefully going to get this done soon. I am still in need of some materials to finish it, but I am hoping that will come in the next few weeks.

[cableguy69846]

Ok, first I want to say, thanks to Bahugo for hookin me up the other day. He gave me tons of plants for a good deal. That being said, here is what I got yesterday.


$25 worth of plants from Golden Aquarium.


$40 worth of plants from Bahugo.

Does anyone see the problem here, lol.

I got some HC, moneywort, 2 types of crypts, and some red stem plant I already forgot the name of. That was all from Golden Aquarium.

I got Java Moss, Flame Moss, Guppy Grass, Glosso, and a bunch of stem plants from Bahugo.

Now that my goodie list is up. On to the good stuff.

[vespers_]

looking good. what is guppy grass? never heard of it.

[cableguy69846]

Originally Posted by vespers_

looking good. what is guppy grass? never heard of it.

It is a najas plant. I can't remember the name for the life of me at the moment. I am sure you could find it in the plant profiles though. And thank you.

[cableguy69846]

Ok. This tank is quickly becoming a catch all for the plants I don't know what to do with. That is ok though. I added some gravel that I had left over from my 2 gallon and some plants I don't have anywhere to put yet. Here is how it looks ATM.




Flame and Java Moss. They will get separated into a couple different tanks.


Guppy Grass. Not sure what I am going to do with it, so it will stay put for the time being.