29G Viquarium? - Aquarium Advice

fort384 · 11-14-2009, 03:41 PM

Considering turning an empty 29 I have into a half aquarium, half vivarium. Not really sure where to start though. I am thinking I want the water to be around 10-12" deep with several species of aquatic plants, and have some terrestrial area for some bog plants. Maybe a waterfall to tie it together. Maybe a canister filter to provide filtration and lifting power for the water feature?

I really don't even know where to start - has anyone seen any good threads or articles out there to build a viquarium? I have seen a lot of vivarium stuff, but most of them only have a little tiny pool of water.

exodon king · 11-15-2009, 02:58 AM

you are looking for a paludarium, not a vivarium. a quick google search should turn up some good articles.

you may find it hard filtering your paludarium using a canister due to the shape and length of the intake and return plumbing, but with a little handy work it is possible to DIY something.

joy13 · 11-15-2009, 10:52 AM

You might want to check this out low-tech paludarium it might be a starting point for you.

fort384 · 11-15-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks guys. The link was very helpful!
I think I found what I want to model my tank off of...
Paludarium Construction Photo Journal - The Planted Tank

I am a little concerned about how to bend and shape the plexiglass as this person did - I lack the tools and the know how. But it seems like it might be a lot less mess and time consuming than using eggcrate and great stuff. The great stuff seems like it would just be a mess. The cork bark on the back looks good too I think.

mfdrookie516 · 11-15-2009, 11:36 AM

check this out... i want to build one so bad

exodon king · 11-15-2009, 01:21 PM

i was working on one recently, but i ended up going a different route with it. i cant get a hold of anything cool to go on the dry side

looks like i may be building a vivarium instead.

fort384 · 11-15-2009, 01:25 PM

I just went to Ace Hardware on a scouting trip. Looks like they have a lot of stuff I can use... thinking about dividing wet and dry with lexan glass, and building a water fall to flow into a small river that will eventually run into the wet side. The only thing they didn't have was sheets up lexan. Does anyone know a common store where I can buy some? It looks like it will be easier to mold than plexiglass... just heat it up and it becomes pretty flexible. I want the shoreline to have curves, I don't like the straight line look that you invariably end up with when using glass or plexiglass as the divider.

mfdrookie516 · 11-15-2009, 01:46 PM

do you have a drag strip nearby? the one where i used to live sold lexan