So I have a 30 gallon tank that i want to practice building a paludarium with. I wanted to know if anyone here knows how to build one and could show me how and let me know what supplies ill need to do this with. Depending on how this turns out, i might build one with my 90 gallon tank for my columbian tegu =D!
Paludarium Help!
- Thread starter jewbo
- Start date
I'm in the process of putting together my 1st Paludarium as well, its a 25G though and i don't plan on keeping any thing other than aquatic pets in mine...
But i guess the first thing you have to decide is what you want to keep in your tank then plan/build it around the inhabitants needs...
But i guess the first thing you have to decide is what you want to keep in your tank then plan/build it around the inhabitants needs...
Columbian Tegus typically get 2.5~3' long and are quite active. He'll definately need more than a 90 gal... Also, Columbian Tegus are difficult (but possible) to tame. Keeping him in a small enclosure will make it much more difficult...
But anyway...
I've made several 'Vivariums' or 'Paludariums' for amphibians in the last few years. I carve them out of styrofoam and then paint that styrofoam with Drylok. Drylok 'seals' the styrofoam as well gives is a 'rock like' finish. I am very very happy with the results of using this combination.
I've also used brown silicone smeared on carved styrofoam to create a 'bark like' finish.
Just to note, Drylok can be tinted with regular latex paint pigments/dyes. Corporate big box stores (like Home Depot or Lowes) may not be willing to add them as doing this voids the manufacturers waranty, but smaller hardware stores (like Ace, Aco or non chain) will usually do so without much hesitation. Explain to them what you are using it on and acknowledge that the waranty does not cover this application anyway.
I even talked the Ace clerk into putting several colors of pigment/dye into small containers (that I bought there) so I could take them home and mix small batches of different colors myself. This really opened up creative options at natural looking environments.
...and of course, no one is happy without pictures
this is a 30 gal tank for Rubber Boas. It's a dry tank but uses some of the concepts described above. I carved the Styrofoam background then painted the whole thing with dark grey Drylok. I smeared (clear) silicone on the "tree" then pressed EcoEarth (pulverized coconut husk) into it. For the light tan sections I smeared (clear) silicone and pressed pulverized walnut shells (sand would have worked also) into it.
This is a 48" x 18" @ 13" tall 50 gal aquarium divided in half (eash side photoed seperately). Again, the structure is carved Styrofoam all painted with tinted Drylok. The 'tree' in the back corner is GE's darker brown silicone, the 'log' in the front is GE's almond colored silicone.
Drylok covered styrofoam works great for amphibians, snakes and small lizards. But I would not use it for larger reptiles (like your Tegu) as the claws will quickly and easily destroy structures. You could do the same thing but replacing the styrofoam with wood (I considered doing this for my Arg Tegu's enclosure), but not only would it be a lot more work but it would weigh a ton (weight is the reason I chose not to do this).
But anyway...
I've made several 'Vivariums' or 'Paludariums' for amphibians in the last few years. I carve them out of styrofoam and then paint that styrofoam with Drylok. Drylok 'seals' the styrofoam as well gives is a 'rock like' finish. I am very very happy with the results of using this combination.
I've also used brown silicone smeared on carved styrofoam to create a 'bark like' finish.
Just to note, Drylok can be tinted with regular latex paint pigments/dyes. Corporate big box stores (like Home Depot or Lowes) may not be willing to add them as doing this voids the manufacturers waranty, but smaller hardware stores (like Ace, Aco or non chain) will usually do so without much hesitation. Explain to them what you are using it on and acknowledge that the waranty does not cover this application anyway.
I even talked the Ace clerk into putting several colors of pigment/dye into small containers (that I bought there) so I could take them home and mix small batches of different colors myself. This really opened up creative options at natural looking environments.
...and of course, no one is happy without pictures
this is a 30 gal tank for Rubber Boas. It's a dry tank but uses some of the concepts described above. I carved the Styrofoam background then painted the whole thing with dark grey Drylok. I smeared (clear) silicone on the "tree" then pressed EcoEarth (pulverized coconut husk) into it. For the light tan sections I smeared (clear) silicone and pressed pulverized walnut shells (sand would have worked also) into it.
This is a 48" x 18" @ 13" tall 50 gal aquarium divided in half (eash side photoed seperately). Again, the structure is carved Styrofoam all painted with tinted Drylok. The 'tree' in the back corner is GE's darker brown silicone, the 'log' in the front is GE's almond colored silicone.
Drylok covered styrofoam works great for amphibians, snakes and small lizards. But I would not use it for larger reptiles (like your Tegu) as the claws will quickly and easily destroy structures. You could do the same thing but replacing the styrofoam with wood (I considered doing this for my Arg Tegu's enclosure), but not only would it be a lot more work but it would weigh a ton (weight is the reason I chose not to do this).
My tegu is only a year and a half and its extremely tame, she is my baby and i love her to death. She is currently 1.5ft and very sexy so a 90 gallon right now is perfect for her i just want to make sure that before i start my paludarium on my 90 i have an idea what to do and not mess up the tank. Thank you very much nutcase i really do appreciate the pictures and i have a few questions like whats strong enough to support my tegu that i can put on the back wall? and what should i cover it with like coconut fiber or cork bark or something like that? and what kind of paludarium should i make for my tegu? Thank you very much!
as was stated earlier tegus cannot be kept in a paludarium. Too much water and humidity for one thing. Also, that tegu should be outgrowing that tank rather fast. I've been looking into tegus myself for a while now (try to convince the parents to let me keep one in their house can be a pain). I also would say that a tegu's claws would shred anything you tried to use to build a paludarium like those pictured. Bottom line: TEGUS DO NOT BELONG IN PALUDARIUMS!
Just so you know... I have an adult Arg Tegu that I raised from a hatchling and I also owned a Col Tegu for a short time many years ago...
　
While I agree, with enough climbing objects, your 1.5' Col Tegu is fine in a 90 gal, she will quickly out grow it.
　
Personally, I would use a water tub that takes up half the floor space or less... make a hide or two on the other side... cover the hides and the rest of the floor space with cypress mulch... put a couple of large branches in for climbing... paint the back and sides (outside of glass) a dark color...
　
　
I totally disagree that Tegus do not belong in a paludarium. A paludarium is simply a tank that has both land and water elements. Col Tegus are avid swimmers and thrive in high humidity environments. Thus a paludarium is the ideal environment for a Col Tegu…
　
　
I believe you should spend your time, energy and finances into buying/building a larger enclosure and turning it into an ideal space, as no matter what you do to the 90 gal it will be unsuitable for your Col Tegu.
　
If you take my suggestions for the 90 gal above, you could transfer all of the materials into the larger enclosure to prevent any waste of resources creating. But if you custom design & build the 90 gal, either your time/money/energy will be wasted or your Tegu will get stuck in an enclosure that is too small.
　
　
FYI - The absolute fastest way to make a Tegu aggressive is to house it in too small of an enclosure. Taming a Col Tegu and keeping it tame is a somewhat difficult task to begin with. Doing so with an animal kept in a small enclosure is nearly (if not) impossible.
　
While I agree, with enough climbing objects, your 1.5' Col Tegu is fine in a 90 gal, she will quickly out grow it.
　
Personally, I would use a water tub that takes up half the floor space or less... make a hide or two on the other side... cover the hides and the rest of the floor space with cypress mulch... put a couple of large branches in for climbing... paint the back and sides (outside of glass) a dark color...
　
　
I totally disagree that Tegus do not belong in a paludarium. A paludarium is simply a tank that has both land and water elements. Col Tegus are avid swimmers and thrive in high humidity environments. Thus a paludarium is the ideal environment for a Col Tegu…
　
　
I believe you should spend your time, energy and finances into buying/building a larger enclosure and turning it into an ideal space, as no matter what you do to the 90 gal it will be unsuitable for your Col Tegu.
　
If you take my suggestions for the 90 gal above, you could transfer all of the materials into the larger enclosure to prevent any waste of resources creating. But if you custom design & build the 90 gal, either your time/money/energy will be wasted or your Tegu will get stuck in an enclosure that is too small.
　
　
FYI - The absolute fastest way to make a Tegu aggressive is to house it in too small of an enclosure. Taming a Col Tegu and keeping it tame is a somewhat difficult task to begin with. Doing so with an animal kept in a small enclosure is nearly (if not) impossible.
I've had my tegu since she was just a hatchling and she has never once shown any signs of aggression. Columbian tegus just get a bad reputation but it doesnt mean they are all mean. Mine is the most tame tegu you will ever find besides her need to urinate on me.... she isnt very well potty trained...>>
Other than that she is perfect. I also have a 13ft African Rock Python the most aggressive species of pythons that exist. She too is also very tame. In fact I've never seen one more tame then mine and i take great pride in that, and yes she is fully licensed and microchipped according to florida laws. So enough with the whole tegu needs to be tame and paludariums aren't for tegus, and that my tegu will outgrow the tank, just stop, I already know.
I know the paludarium wont last long but i want to learn how to do and I might find use out of the tank for another animal that i may one day own in the future.
Now back to the subject what kind of silicone should I use for the back wall? I was looking at all these different types at home depot and no one there could help me cause they didnt know anything about reptiles and aquariums....weird
Also is there anything better i can use besides Styrofoam?
Thank you
Other than that she is perfect. I also have a 13ft African Rock Python the most aggressive species of pythons that exist. She too is also very tame. In fact I've never seen one more tame then mine and i take great pride in that, and yes she is fully licensed and microchipped according to florida laws. So enough with the whole tegu needs to be tame and paludariums aren't for tegus, and that my tegu will outgrow the tank, just stop, I already know.
I know the paludarium wont last long but i want to learn how to do and I might find use out of the tank for another animal that i may one day own in the future.
Now back to the subject what kind of silicone should I use for the back wall? I was looking at all these different types at home depot and no one there could help me cause they didnt know anything about reptiles and aquariums....weird
Also is there anything better i can use besides Styrofoam?
Thank you
For many years all of the Columbian Tegus in the pet trade were wild caught and newly captured Columbian Tegus are generally very aggressive. This is where their aggressive reputation came from. These days there are a good number of captive bred Col Tegus around, though many wild caught ones are still imported… it sounds like you got a captive born one and have thus far done well raising it…
　
But none of that is relevant to the fact a Tegu kept in too small of an enclosure will become aggressive. It sounds like you’ve done a great job with yours, I’d hate to see you throw that out the window by not providing a suitable enclosure later in life.
　
　
I recommend using GE or DAP silicone. Do not use “Kitchen and Bath” versions of either. If you are using clear use GE I or DAP non-plus series as they are completely safe. GE II and DAP plus series have some questionable chemicals, but the general belief is when flushed thoroughly after curing they are also safe (I’ve used them on several animal related projects with no ill effects).
　
As mentioned earlier, wood can be used in place of Styrofoam although it is much heavier and more difficult to work with. There are likely some molding clays available that can also be used, though I have no personal experience or insight on such materials.
　
I use Drylok on a lot of my animal projects as it is completely safe and seals 100% water tight.
　
But none of that is relevant to the fact a Tegu kept in too small of an enclosure will become aggressive. It sounds like you’ve done a great job with yours, I’d hate to see you throw that out the window by not providing a suitable enclosure later in life.
　
　
I recommend using GE or DAP silicone. Do not use “Kitchen and Bath” versions of either. If you are using clear use GE I or DAP non-plus series as they are completely safe. GE II and DAP plus series have some questionable chemicals, but the general belief is when flushed thoroughly after curing they are also safe (I’ve used them on several animal related projects with no ill effects).
　
As mentioned earlier, wood can be used in place of Styrofoam although it is much heavier and more difficult to work with. There are likely some molding clays available that can also be used, though I have no personal experience or insight on such materials.
　
I use Drylok on a lot of my animal projects as it is completely safe and seals 100% water tight.
Thank you, i really do appreciate the help, and im actually thinking of selling my 90 gallon for something like a 180 or a 200 gallon. I just started my paludarium for my 30 gallon and its going quite well, I already started building the land portion and all i need to do now is set up the back wall and it should be complete. I used gravel for the bottom portion of the land area followed by putting a screen on top then putting 3 inches of soil on top of that and planted 3 plants already. I do have one more question though how do i get plants to grow off the wall? im still unclear about that....>>