Sorry it's been a while.
My tank has transformed over the last couple years. I started a freshwater planted tank and now a Paludarium. I am sorta learning as I go. Trying to master an ecosystem that consist of water, land, plant, fish, and introvert which is very interesting.
So here is what I have
All i did to start was took my planted tank, lowered the water level and created land off to the one side using Bio-balls as a weightless filler and weed barrier to prevent sand, soil, and gravel from filling in. The first 2 pictures are a before and after.
I put in an African Violet which was dying when I put it and know is doing great. If you look at the next picture you can see how healthy it is now. The key was leaving it in its plastic pot so the roots are getting it's moisture from below it's roots. There is also an English Ivy and a few other land plants too.
As for Aquatic plants I have 2 water lilies. 1 I actually got at Walmart in the fish section in a dried up bulb for a couple of dollars. There are also some Petite Nana and some crypt plants. To help the aquatic plants I have a CO2 system that consists of a 5 gal tank, regulator with solenoid and bubble counter that uses a home made reactor to charge the water.
With Neon tetras, Cherry barbs, Shrimp, Algae eater, and a Crayfish this paludarium is very entertaining and my kids love it.
So sorry for rambling, I just wanted to paint a picture before getting to my question. What is the next step? More fish is out of the question I don't want to over populate their home. I was thinking another plant (land or Aquatic). Something like a moss or a plant that is rooted in shallow water but is above water. I also need a critter that will spend his time out of water. I like the idea of doing a fire belly Newt. or even an insect or land crab. I would like to do a Poison arrow frog but it sounds like my conditions are not right for it at least not now.
Any ideas or suggestion would be great. I would like to here your comments to. Maybe someone is starting off and has so questions of there own. Thanks again.
My tank has transformed over the last couple years. I started a freshwater planted tank and now a Paludarium. I am sorta learning as I go. Trying to master an ecosystem that consist of water, land, plant, fish, and introvert which is very interesting.
So here is what I have
All i did to start was took my planted tank, lowered the water level and created land off to the one side using Bio-balls as a weightless filler and weed barrier to prevent sand, soil, and gravel from filling in. The first 2 pictures are a before and after.
I put in an African Violet which was dying when I put it and know is doing great. If you look at the next picture you can see how healthy it is now. The key was leaving it in its plastic pot so the roots are getting it's moisture from below it's roots. There is also an English Ivy and a few other land plants too.
As for Aquatic plants I have 2 water lilies. 1 I actually got at Walmart in the fish section in a dried up bulb for a couple of dollars. There are also some Petite Nana and some crypt plants. To help the aquatic plants I have a CO2 system that consists of a 5 gal tank, regulator with solenoid and bubble counter that uses a home made reactor to charge the water.
With Neon tetras, Cherry barbs, Shrimp, Algae eater, and a Crayfish this paludarium is very entertaining and my kids love it.
So sorry for rambling, I just wanted to paint a picture before getting to my question. What is the next step? More fish is out of the question I don't want to over populate their home. I was thinking another plant (land or Aquatic). Something like a moss or a plant that is rooted in shallow water but is above water. I also need a critter that will spend his time out of water. I like the idea of doing a fire belly Newt. or even an insect or land crab. I would like to do a Poison arrow frog but it sounds like my conditions are not right for it at least not now.
Any ideas or suggestion would be great. I would like to here your comments to. Maybe someone is starting off and has so questions of there own. Thanks again.
