Jungle Puddle Paludarium Build Log

Bluesandtwo

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So, an Exo Terra Mini X-tall.. that'll hopefully become a very natural looking paludarium. Admittedly no monster fish tank, but this is the only aquarium forum I belong to now!

At first glance, 30cm x 30cm x 60cm. Water volume empty is around 17 litres (4.5 US gallons).

I hope you enjoy watching the build progress, as much as i enjoy doing it. Would love to hear your thoughts. So... let's start it off...

The blank canvas.
Screenshot_20211022-211713_eBay.jpg

A false back made from egg crate. It has a removable and thick piece of course filter sponge sandwiched in. The front will eventually be covered with drift wood. It will hide the water pump and heater behind it.
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My selection of cork bark, thoroughly cleaned and put into position.
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Expanding black pond foam then used to hold it together and make the background one solid piece. The has already set and been trimmed in the photo. Once shrinking has been allowed it'll be removed whole and then siliconed into place. Exposed foam will later be covered in coco fibre. Wires for the pump and heater are fed through one piece to hide them from view, another piece will hopefully form a mini waterfall.
20211017_205514.jpg

To be continued.......
 

Deadeye

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Looking good!
Might be cool with some gambusia or other small livebearers. Or killies?
 
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eon aquatics

Aimara
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4.5 gallons isnt really much water
you could probably put some nano tetras of some kind in it though and like a couple red eyed tree frogs
 
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Deadeye

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Are tree frogs ok with water? It was my understanding that they can still drown rather easily.
 

duanes

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Looking good!
Might be cool with some gambusia or other small livebearers. Or killies?
I agree with this, a perfect set up for mosquito fish, tiny live bearers or killifish.
Some of the tiny shrimp available these days would also be an option
1634990961434.png
09A3C9D0-91C1-4D5E-A812-F8985569FE94_1_201_a.jpeg
Mosquitofish above,..... Pachypanchax playfairi killi below.
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Or ......1 Betta,....Betta albimarginata below.
1634990586382.png
Tree frogs or even poison dart frogs would work, once a heavy planting rooted in the aquarium section became established
1634990825115.png
Dendrobates poison dart species above
 

Deadeye

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well they are a frog, i assume if they have tadpoles they would interact with water at some point
Makes sense. I just remember seeing that most only really interact with small amounts of water trapped in flowers. That’s where they lay eggs, then the tadpoles grow on their backs. As long as there is enough area to get out of deep water they should be ok though.
 
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