First time paludarium

[nysrock]

so its my first time doing a paludarium. Manage to get an exo terra cage with compact top at a bargain price.
Started off with silicone-ing the acrylic into the cage using aquarium friendly silicone. really bad at silicone-ing but
it keep the acrylic in place and water out..so good enough for me since its going to be cover up

Let the silicone cure for 24hours and in goes background and filter. Had to cut a slit on the background to slot nicely on the acrylic

In goes the substrate and soil etc and water and letting the water cycle for a day.

Adding in plants and vine for the GTF. There will be vampire crabs and those tiny red crabs with some neon tetras and otos.

[AQMS]

camping here for updates...

[kurty]

+1, support!

[eddy planer]

Wow cool I like!.may I know what flora you going to add?

[nysrock]

sorry for the late update..been kind of busy and I'm taking this project really slowly..added in a plant I got from Ikea..the label says iron plant

[AQMS]

sorry for the late update..been kind of busy and I'm taking this project really slowly..added in a plant I got from Ikea..the label says iron plant

It is known as Apsidistra elatior aka iron plant or roomplant.
Im not sure about it being place in a paludarium.... I have no experience with this plant but it look off.

[Zenith82]

I suggest not to mix GTF with crabs or fishes. The frogs will eat anything that's moving and able to fit in their mouth as they are quite aggressive in eating.
Another point to note, try to target feed. Don't dump crickets or meal worms in to feed. if uneaten, this fellas are going to chew down your foam background.

Tree frogs need very humid environment, your peat/soil needs to be moist. Very highly they will burrow in the peat or soil to keep moist, unless you have misting system or waterfall/rainbar sprinkler. Point to note also soil/peat use organic, dun get those mix with fertilizer might harm frogs.
I foresee your water will be messy with all the soil/peat inside floating or browning the water as the frogs will make a mess out it soon when they take a dip, make sure filter is easy to access to clear debris take creates the choke.
Plant wise don't think the iron plant is suitable, though it might be hardy. but it's not a very terrarium plant. As some plants might not be suitable and will cause skin problems to the frogs after rubbing or contacting it unless you are familiar. Plus they are heavy and clumsy, will trample most plants flat and tear your scape down. I highly recommend fake plants.

Just some opinions base on my experiences.

[nysrock]

So far the crabs and frog are living together with no problem at all. At first i was worried about it getting eaten up but apparently they get along pretty well.
I feed the frog by hand feeding. not dumping in the crickets..i hate the sight of them walking all over the place anyway. i mist the tank manually atleast 3 times a day so humidity shouldnt be a problem. Initially i thought it would be an issue but in the end not really a big deal. I use soil at the bottom and the top layer are coco husk. When the coco husk gets in the water, very small amount..the would just float around and not cloud the water. Use a small net to get it out and crystal clear water again. Was worried about the frog destroying the iron plant but apparently strong enough to support its weight.. will get a shot of it soon enough. The iron plant have been growing well tho. I guess luck also plays a part.

[nysrock]

will have to monitor in few weeks time tho to see how it all goes..for now..trial and error..hehe

[eddy planer]

Hi, nysrock

You rock!
I like that adventure people go trial and error to create the most beautiful evolution of the paludarium in a perfect way. That's truly amazing!

Mind asks you. Do take some pictures of your White tree frog, vampire crabs and your flora the Iron Plant!

Maybe I can give you some feedback to improve your bulit if you like, bro!

[nysrock]

Back! so far everything in the tank looks great. Didn't add it vampire crabs though, only the mini red crabs. The 5 tetras I added in are surviving well too and so is the little oto.
The Iron plant so far looks good and surviving still. Leaves are so far strong enough to support the weight of the GTF.

[mUAr_cHEe]

Interesting built. I have not started my tank proper and I am considering a paludarium already.

[frosttie]

U can get a fogger n hook it up to a timer....
Save time n trouble...
Check this out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3RsGHsww

[frosttie]

http://youtu.be/rA3RsGHstx0

Try this link

[BFG]

Please mind the sms lingo usage.