Jungle Puddle Paludarium Build Log

[Bluesandtwo]

So, small update. Started my 'wood pile' that covers the false back. Everything is either siliconed or glued to each other and now forms one solid piece. Use your imagine, I have some free standing larger pieces to place at the bottom to give it a more sloped gradient and natural look.

I was thinking of growing java moss along the top so it becomes emersed. Thoughts?

Next on the to do list, in a week's time, smear silcone on the exposed expanding foam and cover in coco fibre. And have a piece of glass cut for the lid.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Nice!

 

[Deadeye]

Looking amazing! I like the Java moss idea, should work fine.
Anubias would be cool if you trained it to grow up the tank like a vine.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Thanks for the nice comments so far. I like seeing the MFK notifications on my phone!

Had thought about anubias - but already have a tank full of it. Seeing that I'm growing terrestrial mosses on the cork bark, I thought I'd go moss at the waterline too.

No particular biotope in mind on this one. I just want it to look... very cool.. haha.

 

[duanes]

One of the things I am experimenting with lately are mangrove pods (eventual trees).
And 1 or 2 might be worth considering in the paludarium, withfeet in the water, foliage above, maybe with the pod anchored in the wood and growing up toward the light.
..
Mine are only about a month old so far, but coming along nicely.
As adults in nature below

 

[Bluesandtwo]

One of the things I am experimenting with lately are mangrove pods (eventual trees).
And 1 or 2 might be worth considering in the paludarium, withfeet in the water, foliage above, maybe with the pod anchored in the wood and growing up toward the light.
.View attachment 1477616.
Mine are only about a month old so far, but coming along nicely.
As adults in nature below
View attachment 1477617

Will look into this. Thank you!

 

[Bluesandtwo]

One of the things I am experimenting with lately are mangrove pods (eventual trees).
And 1 or 2 might be worth considering in the paludarium, withfeet in the water, foliage above, maybe with the pod anchored in the wood and growing up toward the light.
.View attachment 1477616.
Mine are only about a month old so far, but coming along nicely.
As adults in nature below
View attachment 1477617

I've found Red Mangroves Seed/Plant 8-12" tall. Am I right in thinking this can be rooted to the wood like anubias? How do you attach it initially? What is growth like, I worry it'll grow too quickly?

 

[duanes]

What I have done, is gouge out a hole, big enough to slide the pod in about 3 or 4", as below.
.
Or....The other way, isI fill up a bamboo log (its already hollow) with sand, and slide the pod in the sand.

about every foot or so in the bamboo, is a natural barrier that will hold the sand in place.

I then stand the bamboo with pod, in the rear if the tank, partially submerged

 

[Deadeye]

And it survived in freshwater? I thought all mangroves were brackish and marine.

 

[duanes]

Here in Panama, mangroves are found along freshwater rivers and lakes, brackish estuaries, and shallow ocean shorelines.
Salt is not a requirement, in fact mangroves have devised elaborate ways to get rid of excess salt, or they die.
It is exuded from the leaves, where frequent rains, wash it off
What may be required by mangroves, are the minerals in harder water, and a high pH.
The pH of my tanks average 8.2.