Setting Up A 55 Gallon Semi-aquatic Habitat

[GobyMaster]

Hello everyone, I have a question about a tank (and this one will happen, as the tank is already bought and in our basement).

My dad and I want to set up a semi-aquatic Amazonish habitat sort of thing.
The water would probably hold a grand total of 10 gallons. It would be about 24x9" in size.
For a diagram, I've found this picture here:

Now, that is kind of what we want to do. We want there to be a beach with sand going up to the land section.

For filtration, we've figured 2 15 gallon size undergravel filters. How would that work.

Sorry if this is very confusing, just point out what you don't get and I'll try my best to explain.

GobyMaster

 

[cryslea]

Oooh, neat. What do you plan to keep in it?

 

[loachman]

This is how I'd do it.

Get some aquarium sealer (silicone) and a piece of glass to fit across the width of the tank. Use the sealant to glue the glass in place as a divider. You glue some rocks around it if you wish for added support and to make the slope. Sand on its own won't work as it'll all settle to the bottom and isn't compatable with a undergravel filter.

The filter is going to be the most difficult part probably, you'll have to make one fit. An external or internal may be the easiest for this.

 

[GobyMaster]

This is how I'd do it.

Get some aquarium sealer (silicone) and a piece of glass to fit across the width of the tank. Use the sealant to glue the glass in place as a divider. You glue some rocks around it if you wish for added support and to make the slope. Sand on its own won't work as it'll all settle to the bottom and isn't compatable with a undergravel filter.

The filter is going to be the most difficult part probably, you'll have to make one fit. An external or internal may be the easiest for this.

Yes, I figured as much about the sand. I thought maybe the bottom half, where there'd be the most filter, the substrate would be small gravel, and then up near the 'beach', it could be sand. Last time I was at Petco (where I bought both my 10 gallon terrarium and 55 gallon tank), they had some 10-15 gallon undergravel fliters, and they fit perfectly in the tank, I'd just need 2 set side-by-side. There would also be a third filter which would be the 'water feature' of the habitat, a large(ish) waterfall that would have an intake valve somewhere in the water-part or the vivarium.
I have a question about a piece of 'equipment' I wanted to put in it:
A fogger. Would a fogger cause any possible damage to equipment, fish, herps in the tank? I think that having the fog in the morning would make it seem a lot more realistic!
I'll do some more research before posting anymore for a bit.

Thanks, loachman!

Oooh, neat. What do you plan to keep in it?

Thanks,

What do you mean? Fish or herps? I'd have to talk to my dad, but I'm pretty sure that I am in charge of the stocking for the tank
For fish I was thinking this:

• Neon Tetra x4 or 5
• Bristlenose Plecostomus x1
• Maybe 2 or 3 Bronze Cories
• And maybe a small Raphael Cat

Overstocking???

For herps I was thinking this:

• Green Anole x3
• House Gecko x2
• Green Treefrog x4
• Rough Green Snake x1 (An entirely insectivorous snake, no need to worry about it eating other herps or fish!)

What do you think?
I think it might be a little overstocked
I hope not!
Thanks for all the help so far, guys!
GobyMaster

 

[channing]

look up poison dart frogs those people have some of the coolest ideas for making things like this. i would so steal some ideas from them .

 

[GobyMaster]

Yeah, I really wanted Dendrobates, but they aren't the best swimmers, and I'd be worried that they could hop into the water section and drown. After I get my Leopard Gecko terrarium, I'm wanting to get a 10 or 15 gallon terrarium and get a small community of Dendrobates.
GobyMaster

 

[smmetz]

Yes, I figured as much about the sand. I thought maybe the bottom half, where there'd be the most filter, the substrate would be small gravel, and then up near the 'beach', it could be sand. Last time I was at Petco (where I bought both my 10 gallon terrarium and 55 gallon tank), they had some 10-15 gallon undergravel fliters, and they fit perfectly in the tank, I'd just need 2 set side-by-side. There would also be a third filter which would be the 'water feature' of the habitat, a large(ish) waterfall that would have an intake valve somewhere in the water-part or the vivarium.

I think the sand would eventually make its way into the gravel, creating problems, so I would stay away from sand. Maybe you can put a small internal sponge filter behnid a rock or something to help keep the water clean. I'm not a fan of undergravel filters, but if you are going to use one, maybe you can use the output of the UGF to supply water for your "water feature". Just an idea.

For fish I was thinking this:
Neon Tetra x4 or 5
Bristlenose Plecostomus x1
Maybe 2 or 3 Bronze Cories
And maybe a small Raphael Cat

If you are using half of a 55 gallon, but only about 6 inches of water - then you will have about about 5 gallons of water at most. This is also considering that part of your water half has volume taken up by the beach slope and rocks in the water. A spotted raphael cat gets too large for this (5 inches) IMO, and a striped one gets even bigger (8 inches).

cories are knows to be sensative, and usually are recommended for mature tanks. Neons are the same story, but perhaps a bit less sensative than some cories.

The BN plec will also grow to about 5 inches, and can be messy. I think it's too much fish for only 5 gallons of water.

I think the idea is pretty cool, but finding appropriate fish could be a challenge.

 

[GuppyDude]

That sounds neat. I think you should keep your fish selection down to smaller varieties though. The pleco in particular would probably need a bigger tank to be comfortable, and as mentioned he will make a mess. I've always wanted to do something similar, but theres alot to think about aside from dirt, water, and stocking. The plants would need an adequate amount of sunlight, and be fish safe of course. And the fish, depending on what you stock may not be as happy in the amount of sunlight non-aquatic plants require. Just more than id like to think about really. Post pictures of the finished project.

 

[Esfa]

In a tank like that, you could try to breed the Green Treefrogs. Would be really cool!!

 

[BigC]

A Paludarium.

http/www.joejaworski.com/palu/palu1.htm

Regards
BigC

 

[cheesy feet]

Thanks,

What do you mean? Fish or herps? I'd have to talk to my dad, but I'm pretty sure that I am in charge of the stocking for the tank
For fish I was thinking this:

• Neon Tetra x4 or 5
• Bristlenose Plecostomus x1
• Maybe 2 or 3 Bronze Cories
• And maybe a small Raphael Cat

Overstocking???

For herps I was thinking this:

• Green Anole x3
• House Gecko x2
• Green Treefrog x4
• Rough Green Snake x1 (An entirely insectivorous snake, no need to worry about it eating other herps or fish!)

What do you think?
I think it might be a little overstocked
I hope not!
Thanks for all the help so far, guys!
GobyMaster
[/quote]
Platydorus costatus catfish grow up to 12', mine is 9'.So a definate no no.Do not keep any of the reps above together, it's just not done.Although many experienced people have done simialer things without problems.Go for a species tank.Also the reps would fowl the water, atleast I pressume.My water dragon does it daily

Either way that is going to be really hard to maintain.A drain would have to be put in I should think.A syphon won't work from that high and jugs, jugs are just annoying and don't take much out

...Why don't you use it for some muddskippers ?

 

[GobyMaster]

It's technically my dad's terrarium, and it's been his dream as long as I could remember, so I'm just trying to help him.
GobyMaster

 

[channing]

i would go to petsmart or petco you can get a waterfall filter combo. these are really cool! or check out this site http/www.blackjungle.com/terrariumsupplies.html