Paludarium Possibilities?

you could easily overcome the circulation problem with a second pump, or some creative landscaping... I'd probably try and get a variable speed powerhead, so you can adjust the flow... even though you don't want stagnant water, you don't need high currents in the bay. the removable beach to cover the pumps is a good idea... wonder how it will look from the front. you might want to get some cheap styrofoam and mock it up in the tank, and get a feel for how much space you want where. you could also keep your cave and cove clean with some partial rugf areas, leaving the open center without... so debris wouldn't collect in hard to reach areas.

I made a removable planted island for my 15 tall, which has the footprint of a 10gallon... I wish I had more space for more island. the fish and shrimp really like the underside and the shadow area it creates... and the plants on it all grow without any care. I think I wish I had read the brian's tropicals article/how to before building mine, but I think having the screen cone of substrate hanging below is effective for both the plants and maintaining bacteria.

here's a thread documenting the island building and planting

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118697

and

here's updated pics from last week
 
I have had a Paddletail newt for over two years now. They are hard to breed in captivity. There must be enough hiding places for all the other newts. They will fight and don't mix well with fish. Fish tend to bite off fingers and toes. My newt eats blood worms, ghost shrimp, and small danios. Water changes should be done regularly, though they are hardy animals.
 
newts, depending on species, normaly prefer cold over warm. its a cool idea, i would probably put some kind of frog in. everyone does FBT, see if you can find somthing else
 
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