Paludarium first timer looking for tips

You have a rather extensive list of questions, so I'll do my best to answer them in an orderly manner.

To begin, a 29 gallon aquarium is an excellent candidate for a paludarium, due to its extra height (which thereby permits ample space for both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.) It is, however, not terribly deep, so any background needs to be relatively thin to permit you as much space as possible.

In terms of occupants, if the golldfish is the one fish that you are set on displaying, you should really keep in mind its specific needs- like its preference for sub-tropical water temperatures. With the exception of the koi (which I also agree have no place in any aquarium under 100 gallons,) all of the fish that you listed are tropical species, and would suffer in the colder climate necessary to keep your C. auratus at its best. If you're going to house goldfish, stick to goldfish and other specifically cold water species.

Now, in terms of the two amphibians that you listed, the African dwarf frog is an unacceptable tankmate for the same reasons listed above (it may even look like an appetizing snack to a large, hungry goldfish.) Many species of newts, however, flourish in temperatures from 62-72 degrees Farenheit, and could, potentially, live with your fish; however, again, a swishing newt tail may seem an appealing snack to an inquisitive goldfish. Due to the potent tetrodotoxins housed in the glands in nearly every newt specie, I fear your unfortunate fish would have a quick end, should it ever take a bite of its four-legged tankmate.

Goldfish also make difficult tank mates due to their rather prolific penchant for producing ammonia. While they are quite hearty and therefore able to withstand the result of their overly-active metabolisms, many potential inhabitants could be quickly overwhelmed by chemical accumulations in aquaria with lesser volumes and levels of filtration. This, therefore, brings up another difficult question: if you are really intent upon featuring your C. auratus in this tank, why decrease the volume of water if it will only disadvantage the tank's "star?" Perhaps if the majority of the tank is aquatic, with only 9 or so gallons utilized as the terrestrial section of the tank, it would have little effect, but part appreciating a goldfish is providing it with enough space to really see it swim.

Anyway, it's rediculuously late (early?,) and I'll have to answer the rest of your questions tomorrow (or is that later today...?)

Good luck, and keep us posted.
BP

I'm mostly a lurker on this forum looking for ideas and admiring setups, but I felt the need to say something. I have a 29 gallon paludarium setup currently, and all the things you want to put in the tank (speaking in the terms of occupants) is like putting 4 tons of manure into a 1 pound bag. I don't want to discourage you from setting up your tank because I think paludariums are fantastic! But you need to do research first, whatever inhabitant that you are going to choose terrestrially should be able to coexsist with your aquatic choices too and vice versa.

For your fish options Koi and Goldfish should DEFINATELY be out of the question! They are too big, produce too much waste, and would potentially make a meal out of a newt or frog. A single Goldfish should not be house in anything smaller than 55 gallon with no other occupants and PLENTY of filtration, Koi should not be housed in anything smaller than 90 Gallons as a single occupant. As for Clown Loaches they are also DEFINATELY out of the question, they can grow VERY big, 18+ inches, and should be kept in groups of at least 3. Now as for tetras, this is situational, if you plan on putting a heater in your setup you will be able to have some small bodied Tetras (Neons, Cardnials, etc.). Larger bodied tetras (Bleeding hearts, Buenas aires, etc.) might be too big, depending how much water you plan on having, also note that schooling fish like tetras need to kept in groups of 5 or more. If you do use a heater you will also increase the temp of your land setup which may make finding a suitable inhabitant more difficult. If you dcide to not put in a heater then you can go with White Cloud Minnows (I've have these in my paludarium) they stay relatively small and can be in tanks with or without a heater, you can also add shrimp to your setup. Ghost shrimp are inexpensive, can live in heated or unheated tanks, and easy to find (most Petsmarts carry them, or a good LFS should too), or Cherry shrimp which are a little more expensive but have a beautiful red color that will truly stand out (I think they breed like crazy once kept in the correct conditions, and you can make your money back by selling the offspring). Also with an unheated tank your choice of land inhaditants increase since most newts and amphibians prefer a cooler, humid envirmoment than one over 78*F.

If I were you I'de do some homework, setup you tank like you want it with a centerpiece inhabitant in mind (whether terrestrial or aquatic) to fit their needs. Enjoy building your tank, make it exactly how you want it then after its all finished, fishless cycle it then choose exatly what other species will fit in your tank. This way its built with a species in mind and everything else can fit around it.

I hope this helps you, I don't want this to discourage you. Instead, help you make better more informed decision about your setup.