Vivarium/Paludarium set up- How is this?

[jtd1216]

I currently have a 20g high planted and the planted tank isn't for me. I've always wanted to do a half/half tank.. so i've done a lot of research and i've been planning the tank ever since.. here's what i have so far, let me know what you think (very rough sketches)

 

[lmw80]

That looks good! Very well thought out.

 

[MSU Fan]

what kind of creatures are you planning to put in there??!!?? It should be great!

 

[rich311k]

That looks like its going to be a fun tank. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[jtd1216]

thanks for the comments! I'm actually not quite sure what i want to put in there... I have some harlequin rasporas, and three cories from the current tank that i'm moving to a 10g.. I'm not sure i want to put them in the paludarium. I was going to leave them in the 10g and put something diff. in the paludarium. I was thinking maybe a betta (tolerable of colder water) and newts or frogs.. Any suggestions on that?? I have been thinking so much about the construction that i haven't even put too much thought into what to actually put in it!

 

[dskidmore]

If you're going for anything semi-aquatic, you may want a sloped side to the land mass, for easier climbing.

 

[Alshain]

Frogs can be pretty good climbers so the branch might give them a means of escape if your not carefull.

 

[jtd1216]

you may want a sloped side to the land mass, for easier climbing.

That rock pile all the way to the right in the last drawing is going to be more of a sloped pile rather than steps. Would that be ok? Are newts ok climbers? I'm leaning a bit more towards newts because i heard they require a bit less maintenance.

Frogs can be pretty good climbers so the branch might give them a means of escape if your not carefull.

If i do decide to go with some FBT's, there's no need to worry because i have a top that covers the tank. =)


Any suggestions about the inhabitants?

 

[Guest]

FBT owner here....


I have 2. They are wonderful little guys. Very active and cheery. But I have heard that they should not be housed with other pets.

They can retain some toxins even if captive bred and will try to eat anything that wiggles. Also, they take a lot of constant cleaning, as they won't eat any bugs that aren't wiggling, and poop A LOT.

 

[jtd1216]

would the tank be suitable for newts. i kinda think they're cute

 

[Guest]

for amphibs, i would go with something like a salamandar or a newt. newts are a lot of fun.


If the tank is relatively tall, you could even try a tree frog, but go with something somewhat hardy, like a green tree frog. No red eyes or white lips.

maybe a vietnamese moss toad

you might even be able to do a water snake, if you get a pygmy. but it too will eat the fish.

if you have at least 30% land, you could do anoles or certain small geckos.

just make sure whatever amphib or lizard you get, you really watch it for a while and get it hooked on bugs, not fish. and try to set it up so that the amphib/lizards are smaller than the fish, or are definately not going to be able to swallow it whole.

i am also thinking about a water terra. i want to set one up, but really can't think of any amphibs/lizards that won't eat a fish if the fish is small enough.

 

[jtd1216]

As far as a filter for the waterfall (around 10-11" high) goes... Would i be ok with the Fluval 1, which is rated at 50gph? or do i need to go with the Fluval 2 (105gph)? The fluval 2 is much larger, but has flow control. The fluval 1 doesn't.. .I'm sure i'll be able to hide the fluval 2, but it is pretty large. What does everyone think?

 

[dskidmore]

I picked the Fluvial 2 because the media space is big enough to put a media bag of whaterver I want to run in it.

 

[jtd1216]

would the fluval 2 be over-kill though? i 'm sure i can arrange the waterfall so it will fit

 

[dskidmore]

It's going to run at less than the rated GPH with head pressure.

 

[jtd1216]

So i would be better off with the Fluval 2?


What does everyone else think?

 

[Toirtis]

I agree, go Fluval 2...the head pressure will slow it down a fair bit.

..and consider newts (and possibly some toads)...they tend to be more aquatic than most salamander species.