The one question

[Malintention]

I've been thinking about setting up a pauludarium for quite some time, being a big lizard guy there are few options for me to do so and remain within a relatively small sized tank. The only true small semi-aquatic species of reptiles that I know of are crocodile skinks which are pricey. So, in my head I finally settled on an idea of what to do and how to do it. I've made a rock wall before with my older brother - he lurks somewhere on this site- so I have some clue as to where to start. I'm thinking of taking a 20 gallon tank and making it into a 50/50 water to land tank, with most of the sides of the tank being land and a chunk right in the middle being water. Really what I'm thinking of doing is making the polystyrene basis of the wall in a sort of U shape (see my MS Paint skills below). I'd build some hides and what not out of styrofoam and concrete too. For the fauna I was thinking of:
-Zebra Danio
-Leopard Danio
-Glass Shrimp
-Cherry Shrimp
-Micro sword grass
-Some kind of crypto whatever they're called (sword leaf plants)
-Live terrarium moss
-Java moss
-SPanish moss for the branch (zoo med or something like that sells it)
-Duck weed (maybe)


Hardware:
-20 Gal Tank
-Flourescent tubing with UVB bulb
-Dome light for basking (UVA source/ heat source)
-Whisper 20 filter or undergravel (TBD)
-Lots of creativity
-Polystyrene
-Concrete
-Pigments for concrete
-Food Bowl
-Silicone
-Random sharp objects
-Bioactive clay


Why Danio? I like them, they're hardy, colorful, require minimal heat and breed quick too.

Ok so, here's the question, can crocodile skinks swim as well as I'm led to believe?

 

[Amazon_Addict]

Sweet idea. Should turn out real nice.

 

[Lupin]

Add some nerite snails to eat algae although algae looks good in the tank but it's up to you. Just make sure the pH is steady at 8.0 with calcium dosing for the shells if you want snails.

 

[Malintention]

Now I just need the money for it... Once he takes his pleco I might start on it. I spend all my money on guitar gear though. Maybe someone else here will pick up on this idea.

 

[Malintention]

pH Has to be between 6-7 for the things I want to keep, no snails for me.

 

[Malintention]

Bump, anyone know of any food grade resins I could use instead?

 

[cassharper]

don't do food grade, do marine grade epoxy. A lot of people on here have had good luck with West Systems marine epoxy.

I like water idea, maximizing land and water. I would run some fiberglass rods through the land section to make it more stable.

 

[Malintention]

don't do food grade, do marine grade epoxy. A lot of people on here have had good luck with West Systems marine epoxy.

I like water idea, maximizing land and water. I would run some fiberglass rods through the land section to make it more stable.

Got links?

 

[Prometheus]

this is a really cool idea. i actually thought of something like this once but had abandoned the idea cause i didnt think it was do-able. but i guess i was wrong. if i try something like this, can you explain to me just exactly how to build the "cave" supports. basically my problem is figuring out how to create all the walls and the ceiling (which on the other side is the land for the lizard) with materials that are fish safe while at the same time being strong enough to stay in place.

well, that and how to get a siphon in the to clean the tank out from time to time.

oh, and what type of filter system do you plan on using? an external would work but that can be pricey. any thoughts?

good luck with this thing if you do it. it sounds like an awsum idea.

 

[Malintention]

I was thinking either using an undergravel system, or hiding my whisper in there. After a while the whole tank would become bioactive (I plan to have bioactive clay in the filtration, and concrete becomes bioactive). Those external canister filters are great though, you could even make a little waterfal from the output tube -which will maintain humidity. It'll pretty much be self sufficient once set up, shrimps will breed and take care of any big messes, plants will help provide some filtration and airation, as well as provide hiding places for fry. I might even have a few bottom feeders of some sort - nothing big. The caves are rather easier, you just carve the shape you want then if you're really worried about structural integrity add some sort of rods into the structure (pickup sticks, or skewers, or plastic skewers [pickup sticks essentially] will do). Really the concrete forms an immesensely strong wall, combine that with the strength and density of polystyrene wedged and glued to the walls, that thing ain't going anywhere. Also what you can do, hell what you should do, is apply the bottom half of the tank first and build your way up (if not how will you fit it in?). PM me with further questions.