My Madagascar Inspired Mantella Paludarium

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Originally Posted by crazydaz

I'm going to need you to hurry up and finish this...... lookin' great Bill! Finger lickin' good!

What is this, Office Space? Lol don, see that knotty hole in the wood where the black lichens are? Does that scream "plant a buce here!" Or what?

Btw, did you get your plants? I completely forgot about them.

[Wy Renegade]

Gotta say that those mushrooms and the lichens are very cool! The lichen in particular really adds to the driftwood.

One thing about it, you're giving me a ton of new ideas for a vivarium I am planning down the road.

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Originally Posted by Wy Renegade

Gotta say that those mushrooms and the lichens are very cool! The lichen in particular really adds to the driftwood.

One thing about it, you're giving me a ton of new ideas for a vivarium I am planning down the road.

Thanks buddy. I had morality issues putting them in. I pride myself on everything in my vivs being.natural, but they look so cool!!

I'm glad i can give you ideas. That's what the thread is for

[crazydaz]

I did get the plants, William! The Lancea is already turning that pretty purple-red color in my tank. Looks fantastic!!

You may want to re-phrase the "knotty hole," Bill. It could be read as the "naughty hole."

Too easy.......

Yes, a buce patch would look nice there, I'll admit!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Naughty, knotty, after 21 years of marriage, it's all the same. A hole is a hole is a hole....lol

Glad to hear that the plants made it in good shape. I do so love that plant. The colors they throw off under high light and co2 are awesome!!!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

here's a quick video of my first test of the rain system. close, but not 100% yet. i will tweak it over the next few days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5raS...&feature=g-upl

[Amandas tank]

That's pretty dang good! This thing just gets better and better. Impressive!!!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

thanks amanda guess my "pre-test" worked well. i was surprised how well it worked when i first fired it up

[crazydaz]

That's disgustingly cool, bro. WOW!!! I might have to hire you to come down to The Gnash and build me one of these puppies!! For crying out loud....that's just blippin' radical!

[Fishies_in_Philly]

aquatic substrate in, with a layer of soil underneath :


terrestrial soil added:


finally, plantation soil added, we're ready to plant!!!


whatchoo guys and gals think???

[Fishies_in_Philly]

Originally Posted by crazydaz

That's disgustingly cool, bro. WOW!!! I might have to hire you to come down to The Gnash and build me one of these puppies!! For crying out loud....that's just blippin' radical!

ummm....is that the hillbilly way of saying you like it???LOL and i'm only heading down there if Big and Rich are playing at the Grand Ol' Opry!!LOL or maybe a Brooks and Dunn reunion...LOL

seriously though, thanks for the compliment Don. this forum is so awesome. the innovations just keep flowing. i'm sure someone is already out doing me, just like people are starting to add tilly's to their tanks, (wonder why )

[Fishies_in_Philly]

oh, and btw, i'm currently accepting plant ideas and donations, because i still can't decide on what to plant in this sucker....LOL

[crazydaz]

???? I'm a transplant from Detroit, Mr. William. We just got here a little over a year ago....I need at LEAST another few years to turn into a hillbilly! LOL! You might be surprised, though....some of these hobbyists "'roun' theze here partz" are quite good!! Not too many in Nashville "proper," but Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Clarksville have some pretty talented scapists, both "aqua" and "terrestrial."

I know that you were kidding. Still, I was surprised when I got here and saw some of the locals and what they have! You wouldn't would consider Tennessee a big "haven" for that type of thing, but there is way more of it here than anywhere else I've been, including Missouri and Michigan.

And, The Opry is cool. Come on down anyways!!

I would be happy to give you some buce's and anubias in a few months time. I totally agree that a nice buce "patch" around that wood "hole" would look nice! If you want, I can start trying to grow some emmersed for you, and that way you will have the option of not having to try to adapt them from submersed to emmersed growth. Anubias nana would look nice around the margin.

I would suggest that you silicone some rock (put a few jagged piece sticking out and an angle!) from the upper pond to the lower pond....that substrate isn't going to stay long on in between the two places for long due to the current and gravity. I would do it now before you fill it....should be fine after a day of curing, then you won't have to worry about fixing it later on.

Otherwise, it really is quite inspirational, Bill! Orchids would cool on the vines, too, btw!

[Amandas tank]

Look at that tank! Awesome! I just got started with plants myself, so I wouldn't be any help to you even though I'd love to! It'll be some time before I have any plants to share...also mine are fully submerged so they would have to adjust to your tank.

[Fishies_in_Philly]

i actually am planning on orchids on the vines. Wifey is "surprising" me with an 8 pack of mounted orchids for christmas

i get what you are saying about the substrate in the upper and lower portions, but the upper portion has a dam of about 2 inches holding the substrate there. the part that is over flowing is just that, over flow. but i am going to fill it shortly and check it. if it does move, then there will be rocks there very soon.

that would be super if you could grow just one emersed, if it's not too much trouble. the lover portion is going to have 3 c. nurii planted there, and they will be aloowed to grow however they decide to grow. i'm also planning on planting some bacopa and lindernia in the back of the lower portion. they should both bloom with nice white flowers when they break the surface. the upper portion will have a couple of crypts from my collection as well. maybe zukalii, or cordata 'thailand'. i'm growing a c. hudoroi out in my 75 for one of the pots in the aquatic section, and i was thinking a c. x purpurea in the other when it's ready. hc and moss will be planted on the wood as well as a couple a. nana 'petite'. and i have an a. coffeefolia that is ready to go in as well.

now, i just need to decide on terrestrials. i already have a vanilla orchid picked out, along with a few epiphytic vines, but that's about it so far.