10 Gallon Paludarium Build

[MacDracor]

So I should have started this thread two weeks ago when I got the tank, but oh well.
I got a free ten gallon tank and decided to do a low budget paludarium. Had some PVC pipe laying around, got my hands on some eggcrate, cork bark, and moss for next to nothing. So I siliconed it all together.

Once it had cured, I filled with water and put in some driftwood from my old fw tank, and let it start leeching tannins out. That took about a week or so.

Once the water was staying clearer, I added sand and got a couple cheap plants, such as an anubia barteri. I hid a powerhead in the back, behind driftwood.

I went to a local pond and caught a few water boatmen, some gammarus, daphnia, and a few other tiny critters to try to create an entire food chain type thing. Today, I also added two assassin snails to deal with the stupid snails that hitched in on the anubias. Here you can see a boatman next to the assassin. There are other critters in the shot, but too small to see clearly.

Here is a full tank shot showing all the plants I put in today.

Moving forward, I've ordered 6 Endler's Livebearers to be the only fish, and am currently trying to decide on a frog species for the upper part.
A parting shot of my kitten, Freyja, watching the assassin snail move across the sand.

 

[tropicalmackdaddy]

Thats awesome! Ive always wanted one, but wont a frog eat endlers, because there pretty small?

 

[MacDracor]

I'm sure it will try, but if well fed, probably won't want to give the kind of chase required. Like (non fancy) guppies, Endlers are pretty quick. Plus, they breed like guppies. And they'll be in there for quite a while before any frogs. There are also a lot of hiding places.

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

This is really cool

 

[tropicalmackdaddy]

I'm sure it will try, but if well fed, probably won't want to give the kind of chase required. Like (non fancy) guppies, Endlers are pretty quick. Plus, they breed like guppies. And they'll be in there for quite a while before any frogs. There are also a lot of hiding places.

Sounds good!

 

[hpiguy]

Well done.

 

[MacDracor]

Thanks. The Endler's should ship tomorrow. I'm super excited! After a little more research, it looks like they might actually be extinct in the wild, so anyone who can get their paws on these fish for breeding really should. After I move (into a house. Whoo hoo!) I want to set up a larger tank just for breeding Endlers.

 

[MacDracor]

Got shipping confirmation today! Endlers are on their way out of Houston.

 

[paytertot]

Wow I'm definitely going to stay tuned for this thread, I'm loving that! I'd like to try something like this eventually.

 

[linds3y]

This is really beautiful, I'm jealous

 

[MacDracor]

Fish arrived today! For a review of the shipper, Ilikeendlers, I posted on his for sale thread.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f25/pure-endlers-class-n-beautiful-217589-2.html
Pictures will be forthcoming after work tonight. Really excited!

 

[MacDracor]

Sorry for the delay. Things have been hectic here. Getting ready to move. Yeah, that's right, I set up a new tank right before moving. So?
Pictures of the fish!
Here you can see a male and a couple females.

Good shot of a male.

Got several all together.

And the obligatory full tank shot.

Any amphibian suggestions? I can't decide between native Pacific Treefrogs (if I can find them) or fire belly toads.

 

[Freakgecko91]

Fire bellies will go after the fish more than likely as they are semi aquatic. You could do a couple fire belly newts maybe? I like the pacific tree frog idea

 

[ejaramillo01]

Fire Belly Newts are really cool, if you can find them,

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Native leopard frogs are cool looking, hardy and only get about half the size of bullfrogs.

 

[MacDracor]

I think I've decided that I really want treefrogs. Always liked catching them as a kid. Just have to find some now. Will probably wait until after I love, though.