38 Gal Paludarium

[megamax42]

Hey guys,
I have an account on Dendroboard but I figured since I've had this account longer it should definitely be shared here too.

The goal is a Bumble Bee toad, fire belly toad paludarium with small, fast breeding fish in the water portion. It will be planted in land, water and emersed conditions.

The cardboard in the pictures is in there just until some silicone dries





The destruction left behind:



I was initially gonna use the black foam for just the waterfall and against the glass on the sides, so it would be black when looked at from the side, however after seeing how little the pond foam expands I've decided to use it for just the waterfall.




Really should've been more patient with this part, got a lot of sag. For the time being it'll at least be a good base for the top layer:

[megamax42]

[xjasminex]

This looks awsome so far!
Good job!
Im suscribed!

[kwheeler91]

Good idea with the balloon

[megamax42]

Originally Posted by xjasminex

This looks awsome so far!
Good job!
Im suscribed!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by kwheeler91

Good idea with the balloon

Thanks man, got the idea from looking at ways to make fake live rock for marine setups.

[2in10]

Great looking start, great usage of eggcrate. I too love the balloon.

[megamax42]

Originally Posted by 2in10

Great looking start, great usage of eggcrate. I too love the balloon.

Thanks!
The eggcrate has really been a lifesaver, couldn't have done this without it.
Only issue is when I tried to pull out the balloon it didn't come out in one piece so now I gotta go in there and scrape it out. Probably due to my lack of patience in letting the great stuff dry

[2in10]

Originally Posted by megamax42

Thanks!
The eggcrate has really been a lifesaver, couldn't have done this without it.
Only issue is when I tried to pull out the balloon it didn't come out in one piece so now I gotta go in there and scrape it out. Probably due to my lack of patience in letting the great stuff dry

I wonder if coating the balloon with a slick substance would help.

[megamax42]

Originally Posted by 2in10

I wonder if coating the balloon with a slick substance would help.

I bet your on to something there, I have one more spot I was planning on making a small balloon cave, I'll definitely have to try that.

My next obstacle is finding the right epoxy/sealer to coat the grout in, although it's non-toxic I want to make sure the grout doesn't affect the pH of the water portion too badly.

[2in10]

Originally Posted by megamax42

I bet your on to something there, I have one more spot I was planning on making a small balloon cave, I'll definitely have to try that.

My next obstacle is finding the right epoxy/sealer to coat the grout in, although it's non-toxic I want to make sure the grout doesn't affect the pH of the water portion too badly.

Good idea on the epoxy/sealer.

[megamax42]

Originally Posted by 2in10

Good idea on the epoxy/sealer.

Thanks, really trying to fool-proof this tank, if there is such a thing

There will also be a ramp leading from the water portion to the land portion, and a waterfall, however for the time being I've been making sure I finish grouting/sealing certain areas before I block untouched areas in

[nanette37]

i love watching the progression of projects like this. good work so far! im subscribed =]

[megamax42]

Originally Posted by nanette37

i love watching the progression of projects like this. good work so far! im subscribed =]

Thanks!



Anybody have experience with a good long lasting, aquarium safe sealer that I could coat the mortar mix with?

[megamax42]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP8CL...fLqK40QFeahWSE

[LetThereBeFish]

Nice start on the paludarium. Looks sorta like mine....Sorta. For a water proof seal, I used 100% silicone sealant. I used coco fiber, not grout, so I'm not sure how it would turn out. Good luck.