Starting with some cycled or nearly cycled media is better than none.
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Took pics of the materials which came in the Paludarium kit and of the added items I had purchased a while back and the ones I got today (from a Christmas gift to the well supplied lfs) and will try to get them loaded so they aren't upside down and will post a link.
Got
5 Indian almond leaves medium (some for the Thai Betta and some for leaf litter) 3.00
5 mangrove leaves (for Paludarium leaf litter) 2.50
1- scrapy 6 inch piece of Indian almond tree bark which was on the shelf with a tag for literally $199.99 per pound!!! I got a tiny lite $2.00 piece!
$200 per pound!!!
A bunch of misc sizes and shapes of bulk cork for background and or building in the Paludarium. Just a smidge over a pound for 11.50.
A small scoop of activated carbon as I couldn't recall for sure if I had any left.
5G or RO/DI water
Will shop for fish later.
Picked up aquarium silicone for the bark background pieces to stick together.
Got the Pal tank build started at least. Intended to set up the filter to dry fit in, but realized I don't have any clue how I could get it out easily after it gets all built up. Have to figure out a way for that to happen.
Had to wash off some old not used for 3 or so years Caribsea supernaturals peace river small with added green turquoise gravel bits, which has been sitting out under a tree collecting dirt and leaves in the back corner of the yard.
Need to get the correct size tubing for the pump for the waterfall feature- the 4 sizes I DO have didn't fit. Hahaha, of course not.