nickhendrix007
Aquarium Advice Activist
For my fifth (and final....?) aquarium I want to try something different. Have done a paludarium already but want to take it to the next level. Have two 20 gals lying around begging to be used. Goal is to give a unique perspective: you're looking at a riverbank underwate (rocks driftwood tree roots coming out of riverbank walls) and as your eyes travel upwards you can see into a 3d rainforest, as opposed to traditional vivariums with plants just on the back wall. Terrestrial area will have ground, sides, back and ceiling plants.
Two tanks: 20 gal tall on bottom, 20 gal long on top with the opening turned to face the viewer. 20 tall is the aquarium, 20 long is the terrestrial area. Yes, the long is slightly longer than the top of the tall but this can be remedied with plants to hide the edges.
The lip of the opening of the 20 long will rest and be sealed along the top back edge of 20tall. A custom built box will be underneath the 20 long as the support piece and to house equipment. Goal will be to essentially fuse the tanks together to resemble one ecosystem - Orinoco river biotope.
The 20 long on top will be a terrestrial area resembling a river bank - water feature that will trickle into bottom tank, drip wall, plants, soil, rocks, etc. much like you see in a vivarium for tree frogs. This section will be left open.
Bottom tank, the 20 tall, will act as the aquarium section. Will have filter hidden behind DIY background, roots extending down into water, plants, driftwood, and will home 2 German or Bolivian rams, 4-5 corydoras, 2-3 otos, possibly 5-7 small tetra species, will have to check on the bio load.
Lighting fixtures - a few ideas. Clip on lighting, hanging t5's off the shelving that is above where im going to put this tank for the aquarium part. The terrestrial area will have 2 circular high power low heat lights mounted to the top of the 20 long( formerly the side) and will shine through the glass which will give high lighting to the terrestrial plants.
Supplies- great stuff, aquarium sealant, drylok, quikrete coloring, lighting, flora and fauna, black latex paint(to paint outside tank to hide sealant and gs foam application sites, driftwood, tubing, filter, cocofiber, pool sand, rocks, filter, heater, water pump (for drip wall and water feature).... And more
Opinions on this project or possible attempts at this same idea?
Two tanks: 20 gal tall on bottom, 20 gal long on top with the opening turned to face the viewer. 20 tall is the aquarium, 20 long is the terrestrial area. Yes, the long is slightly longer than the top of the tall but this can be remedied with plants to hide the edges.
The lip of the opening of the 20 long will rest and be sealed along the top back edge of 20tall. A custom built box will be underneath the 20 long as the support piece and to house equipment. Goal will be to essentially fuse the tanks together to resemble one ecosystem - Orinoco river biotope.
The 20 long on top will be a terrestrial area resembling a river bank - water feature that will trickle into bottom tank, drip wall, plants, soil, rocks, etc. much like you see in a vivarium for tree frogs. This section will be left open.
Bottom tank, the 20 tall, will act as the aquarium section. Will have filter hidden behind DIY background, roots extending down into water, plants, driftwood, and will home 2 German or Bolivian rams, 4-5 corydoras, 2-3 otos, possibly 5-7 small tetra species, will have to check on the bio load.
Lighting fixtures - a few ideas. Clip on lighting, hanging t5's off the shelving that is above where im going to put this tank for the aquarium part. The terrestrial area will have 2 circular high power low heat lights mounted to the top of the 20 long( formerly the side) and will shine through the glass which will give high lighting to the terrestrial plants.
Supplies- great stuff, aquarium sealant, drylok, quikrete coloring, lighting, flora and fauna, black latex paint(to paint outside tank to hide sealant and gs foam application sites, driftwood, tubing, filter, cocofiber, pool sand, rocks, filter, heater, water pump (for drip wall and water feature).... And more
Opinions on this project or possible attempts at this same idea?