Ripariums for Plant Filtration

[hydrophyte]

Here's a shot of the synos.

I need to work on building more little caves down on the bottom of the tank. So far the fish have spent most of their time in that spot between the heater and filter intake.

 

[hydrophyte]

I have an update from my little 20-gallon setup.

This is a different variation that I have not tried before. The tank is filled almost to the top and the above-water plants are all houseplant/tropical selections. Here is a view from the top.

I have a couple of those magnet planters in there, while the rest of the planters just have the regular suction cup mount.

The magnets really are easy to use, and they are probably somewhat more secure than the suction cups.

 

[hydrophyte]

I just put together a quick blog post on that Dieffenbachia plant, the one on the middle of the 20-gallon layout with the white-centered leaves. Here is the link...

http://hydrophytesblog.com/?p=1503

I haven't tried 'em before, but I imagine that Dieffenbachia should grow well as riparium specimens. I remember seeing them growing in swampy spots out in the rainforest. This one has attractive leaves anyway. It would be good as a centerpiece plant in a riparium layout.

It is going to grow larger than it is now. I hope that I will able to control its size by trimming the leaves.

 

[hydrophyte]

I got another shot from my 50-gallon riparium setup the other night. The plants are still doing great.

I have been pruning and training the carpeting plants (Bacopa, Limnophila aromatica, Lipia nodiflora) so that they will grow more bushy and better cover up the trellis rafts. I imagine that those plants are expecially good for biological filtration because they send many roots down through the trellis and into the open aquarium water.

 

[spongebob281]

Someone mentioned frogs. What type of frogs would fit in? What do they eat. Stunning tank you got there

 

[hydrophyte]

Hey thanks sopngebob281. Ripariums aren't so good for frogs or turtles or other such animals because there isn't any real land area. The plants are all supported by hanging and floating planters. These setups are, however, real effective for displaying fish and plants. There are a lot of cool plants that grow well as riparium specimens.

 

[spongebob281]

I think i can create an artificial land mass for the frogs...what would you recommend.

 

[hydrophyte]

You could probably make something easily enough, or use something like the Zoo Med Turtle Dock...

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=339

You would, however, need to use a tight-fitting lid with frogs. Many of those riparium plants would not be suitable for frogs because they have light stems and would be quickly smashed down. There are some selections that should work well. Peace lilies would be good choices. That 20-gallon setup has mostly peace lilies and other sturday tropical plants as the background.

 

[kallmond]

spongebob, I think you're looking for more of a paludarium, which is a combo water/land tank.. google it or check it out on aquaticplantcentral.com

 

[hydrophyte]

I agree. For a frog or turtle or similar animal it would be better to have a setup with a built-up land area. Ripariums are primarily just for keeping fish, and plants.