Building Large Planted Aquarium/Terrarium/Paludarium 10x11 feet

[pbeemer]

i am incredibly jealous. it will be gorgeous.

hand watering that setup was definitely not the way to go.

i like the intermittent spray system. be sure to put in an extra-large size, extra fine pore size filter to keep debris in the water from plugging the spray nozzles; otherwise you will be constantly changing them out. see if you can find a convenient place to put the filter so that changing the element does not become an all-day project either.

 

[Abin Philip]

Hi..the work had been going at a slow pace...as its going along with the house construction...

The Paludarium set up got painted...the paint used was the one used to paint ships(as it can last forever with constant water contact)....colour used was Matte Black, with various shades used. ...Gilt was used to get a look of sparkle ....the hanging roots were painted brown....

Posting below the updated painted pics..
of front view, hanging roots, top of paludarium, stone work close up...

 

[ROYWS3]

Very cool. I bet you can't stand that this is not moving forward any faster

 

[calivivarium1]

Interesting choice of paint. I guess because it is designed to last in such a harsh environment it wouldn't leach any chemicals into your paludarium? I like... no, LOVE, the way its taking shape.

 

[anura630]

Wow. can't wait to see this finished.

 

[captaincaveman9]

looks great so far

 

[Abin Philip]

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The front glass was fixed....and water was filled ...and is being tested for leaks.. there a small leak at lower corner(a drop an hour or so)...which has to be rectified.

Next the filter and pump has to be fixed. The pump will pump water to the UV filter, which will return in the form of waterfall and streams.

Simultaneously planting of plants above water area is to be started. There are a total of 80 cavities in total(above water)...large enough even for small palms. thinking of bringing in a rain forest look with palms, ferns and mosses.. and other plant suggetions are welcome. As i am new to it.

There is bit of reflection on glass, which may be controlled once curtains/blinds come on the opposite window along with proper lighting to tank.

Plants planned underwater are Anubias, Ferns, Moss, Echinodorius varities, Vals etc. All hard varieties, that can survive in natural sunlight from top.

 

[mellowvision]

looking awesome. great idea to plumb the drips through the UV filter, should really help avoid spreading algae on the wall.

 

[pbeemer]

absolutely spectacular.

i do hope that the paint is not designed to be used on the hull of a ship, since those have slow-release biocides in them to reduce fouling.

 

[Abin Philip]

Thinking of planting the following plants...need suggestion regarding whether they will strive using natural sunlight....receives direct sunlight from top at afternoon at different parts( top is 12mm glass to allow sunlight inside from top)....gets good light at other times of day...the water depth is 3 feet....

Echinodorous amazon
Echinodorous sp ozelot
E.Major
E.Rubin
Sagitaria gaint
valliserina gaint
Crpyt wentii
Aponogeton Undulates
Hygrophilla difformis
Hygrophilla Angustifolia
Nymphaea sp leopard
Red Lilly

Bolbitis Heteroclita
Marsilea sp
java fern
staghorn fern
Anubias
Monosolenium tenerum
Java moss

I hav had experience keeping the abone plants and have found them to be hardy...but will they survive using natural light.....​