With Regards To A Paludarium

[Verminator89]

I have no idea where the "true" place to post this is, so i'm going to post it here and see how it goes.

I'm thinking of converting my Rio 180 into a beginners 'paludarium'. To put it in peoples minds in pespective i'll be keeping some form of shoaling fish and a form of shrimp in it. The land mass will hopefully work out to be a collection of Cryptocorynes, Moss, Anubias, Echinodorus and potentially a few others (HC). For the most part i wish to have a basic underwater area with these plants in and the top half of the tank will be a continuation of these plants. Thats the concept.

For this to provisionally work how i plan it i need something confirming for me, that i can't seem to find the appropriate information anywhere online. With a paludarium does the tank 'have' to be sealed at the top. I've seen many that are open top and thriving, then i've seen others that are closed.

I understand the basic principal of having the tank sealed will help prevent evaporation, which would be helpfull. I also understand that plants, certainly tropical, have to be kept moist if grown emeresed. Keeping the tank sealed will do this, if this is the case then i'll have to look at my options with lighting and the top of my tank as it is, as i no longer have the original Juwel lighting, which i think would be unsuitable anyway. Would it be possible for me to try this without having a 'lid', or do i need one.

If i can keep the plants i plan to with the tank open top then great. If its a case of i need to have some form of lid trapping in the moisture to keep these plants alive then this is fine, but i need to know. Failing this i can adapt it to grow more local plants to the British weather that might do better. Ideally my initial idea i'd prefere.

I think i've explained this correct, hopefully.

As i said, i've no idea where to post this, as there seems to be no 'propper' section for paludariums on our forum. However, seeing as its regarding common tropical plants we all know and love, i figured i'd post it here.

Cheers,
James

 

[Verminator89]

More of an observational update. I have a Juwel Rio 180 as mentioned, and this is the tank i wish to use. Around the upper perimetre of the tank there is a lip, which the original Juwel light unit used to sit snugly on. Also, at the rear of the tank, there are two cut out sections which allow the filter tubes/wiring in out of the tank, when the lid is on.

Without confirmation ofcourse, i'm swaying more toward the idea that the tank will need to be covered, in order to retain moisture for the plants to thrive. Would a simple perspex cover, cut to the size of the 'lip' at the top be enough to keep in moisture. Thus maintaining the inner temperature closer to the 24C mark which i desire.

To add, i would be able to DIY my light unit to hang from hooks above the tank, so this issue is resolved.


Hoping someone in the "know" can assist on this matter

 

[CrazyAirborne]

well In the world of vivariums, we always have our stuff completely covered to help keep moisture in, we achieve airflow to keep the air of becoming "stale" by adding internal fans if need be. This usually related IME to keep humidity up because frogs were living inside the vivs. If you plan on keeping anything living on the land side, you would probably want it covered to keep the critters in, and for the moisture. But I guess if you werent going to have anything living, you could maybe get away with keeping it half covered or something of the sort. hope that helps (if at all) and cant wait to see pics! the closest I came to a Palu was a small corner pool which was fed by a waterfall in my larger vivarium, the water wasnt big enough to hold any fish but it would have been awesome.


edit* the more I think about it, I think it really depends on the plants u plan on using outside the aquatic zone, some will need the moisture and humidity, while others are fine with being in the open air, ie house plants.

 

[Verminator89]

I don't plan on any living critters on the land section, so in that sense i can do without a lid.

The plants i would like to use i stated in the previous post; Anubias, Cryptocornyes, Moss, Echinodorus species. Regarding these plants requiring moisture/humidity to grow emmersed is something i don't know. I would assume so as they are Asian/Amazonian naturally. A definitive answer would be appreciated if someone knows.

Failing this i suppose i can use house plants that survive in the UK, a trip to homebase might be on order I'd prefere going with my desired plant list if possible, so a fan might be worthwhile.



Another point. Does anybody know what can be used to make a detailed 3D interior structure, that is safe for aquatic life. Obviously there are companies that make this kind of stuff but i'd prefere to make my own, but don't know the materials that are used, or can be used. Any information would be appreciated

 

[coldcazzie]

Another point. Does anybody know what can be used to make a detailed 3D interior structure, that is safe for aquatic life. Obviously there are companies that make this kind of stuff but i'd prefere to make my own, but don't know the materials that are used, or can be used. Any information would be appreciated

Several forum members have created their own internal backgrounds using polystyrene sheeting and sculpting it and then covering it in something that is aquarium safe, like sand. Check out the DIY section - there are a few recent threads in there about it

 

[Verminator89]

Ahh, completely forgot about the DIY section of the forum. Thank-you, i'll have a nosey over there.