[crushalot]

Hi all,

Building a new tank area in my office and one of the new tanks will be a paludarium. It will be my first 'proper' paludarium built with a paludarium designed tank. My issue is space in my house. I don't have much extra space so I have to stick to many small tanks that I can squeeze here and there.

I am going to have a shelf that holds a LifeGuard 19" wide x 9" deep x 12" tall paludarium. I want to do a waterfall with some planters and maybe a few ledges for moss. I am going to build the back wall/waterfall from black spray foam and thin slate rocks and do this on a sheet of black corrugated plastic that will also include a small corrugated plastic channel in the middle for the pump.

My question is: Can I build the waterfall scape much higher than the sides of the tank? I would like to use a 18" x 24" corrugated plastic sheet to create the vertical waterfall but this would mean the waterfall structure would come up about 12" higher than the sides of the tank.

If I am careful with the construction of the water flow directions and keep the water channels in the middle and extend out the edges all around the structure, then it should be ok right? It would not look as good but I considered siliconing some acrylic pieces to raise the back 3 walls to accommodate.

What do you all think? See my mock up with cardboard.

 

[sm1ke]

It seems like it should be fine. You'd just need to get a pump small enough to fit in the chamber, but just strong enough to push the water up the length of the waterfall. Toss some loose rocks over the opening at the top to divert the flow of water how you want, and you should be good to go. You could also use a bubble lift to replace the pump, but then you'd have to deal with the constant hum of an air pump, along with finding a place to hide it.

 

[Aaronious]

You can do what ever you want, my friend.

I have done it. Not like this though and I had a little water leak over the back, jammed a piece of wood under the back to nudge it forward and good to go. Basically, this is topic is for the like 1% who not only think outside the box but actually attempt to see if it's possible. It is if you think it is. This hobby is great because it's ever growing and learning and expanding. Anyway, I am going to follow in hopes I can learn from your successes and failures, though I don't wish the later on you.

But you have to think of everything. I thought I did, but I built the structure with sterofoam and covered it. When I was setting up the tank I forgot to add the stones on top that were going to be there for asthetics and wieght. Anyway, the whole thing shifted while adding water and the issue above was created. I thought it out, just forgot and was excited to get her running. Still came out good. but I always knew when I looked at it... It wasn't as perfect as everyone else saw it. Because these features are usually built around and not just an addon, you gotta take your time and plan it. I see you already are, I am just reiterating. Also, test... Test you pumps especially prior to installing so that you seem what you can expect from the finished product.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[crushalot]

Thanks for the feedback. Bubble lift is a no go since this is going in my office and I watch TV as well. I am actually probably going to do 2 pumps. Main pump will be on all the time and pump from the bottom of chamber up to a chamber at the top that will then spill out allowing better flow like a tickle down the wall. Then I will have another higher flow pump which will pump up to about 10" and then waterfall over a existing rock ledge for an on demand water sound. Attached a pic of the actual tank that just came. Light will be mounted on a post behind the waterfall.