Juxtaroberto;4760933; said:
I love the look of this setup!
I have a couple of questions, though. Are the carnivorous plants on the island connected to the tank in some way, or just for aesthetics? I remember reading somewhere that flytraps need soil that drains quickly, so I'm assuming their roots don't do well submerged?
Also, what kind of care do each of your carnivorous plants require? Lighting, soil, moisture, etc? Sorry to ask so much, but lately I've been kinda interested in them, and your set up really riled up that spark in me.
You're welcome. The island is made of styrofoam, and the driftwood has been attached with silicone. It's waterproof, such that the water in the island never mixes with the water in the tank, which would definitely kill the carnivorous plants. A little water splashes into the island when the arowana gets too skittish, I can't avoid that though. I keep the plants in an inch of RO water. This allows aeration since their roots do not go very deep, and the peat sucks up water for them.
Carnivorous plants require the following:
1) RO water. This is important, mineral build-up from tapwater kills them.
2) intense lighting, 400 W metal halide, 12 hours per day. This light is suspended 50 cm. above the plants, with a glass between to keep out the extra heat. The stronger the light the better, but you must avoid the intense heat coming from the lamp, which can scorch the plants.
3) a mixture or sphagnum peat and sand is ideal for most plants (I've used quartz sand.) Nepenthes require more exotic mixes, with long-fiber sphagnum and perlite and etc. As long as you have sphagnum peat and some medium to provide drainage, it'll be fine.
4) Moisture and heat. This depends on the species. I've picked up the two Nepenthes species that are most suited to the high temperature - high moisture range known as lowland plants. I have a moisture of 80% - 100% while the water temperature is at 28 C constant. Air temperature levels range from 24 C at night to 32 C during "day" hours. Ideally, Nepenthes plants expect a temperature drop of several degrees, but this will occur naturally in a closed setting anyway, if your lights are powerful enough.
5) Hibernation requirements. Temperature zone plants hibernate in water, which includes the famous Venus flytrap. You basically separate them from the tank a few months every year, and put them somewhere dank and cool.
6) The occasional feeding, but this is not as essential as people think. A few houseflies once per month will be enough. In open space, they'll catch their own food.
I recommend the book "The Savage Garden" by Peter D'amato, which helped me a lot. Carnivorous plants require a terrarium/paludarium setting with some specific modifications. Some carnivorous plants are hardy and do not need extensive care. Depending on your climate, you may even be able to grow them outdoors.
looks amazing though
