20 Gallon Tank Converting to Paludarium From a 20 Gallon Aquarium

[mrjohn]

Soooo....my 20 Gallon UNS has a significant chip. I decided to break it down before cracks manifested. I wondered what I could do with it, and decided on a paludarium for vampire crabs.

I drilled and crushed lava rock for the drainage layer, put screen mesh down, and topped it with reptisoil. For the other end I used the same rocks that I always use, capped with sand and then accented with more rocks. I also used hornwood from previous scapes.

I added a nano internal filter and flat heater. It's still a work in progress. I plan on adding some dwarf sag to the wet side, some moss to the dry side, and some sort of emersed plant(s) to place behind the wood.

Progress so far....

 

[Blacksheep1]

What a great idea ! Can’t wait to see it finished

 

[SparkyJones]

Wow. That's ambitious! And looks like you're off to a great start. Paludariums
of course are all about that centerpiece species or the apex species being kept but its all the little pieces and species that go into it that really make it. All the things that make it all functional. Good luck and I think we want updates! Lol

 

[mrjohn]

Thanks all! Update! I'll include starting photos.

• I added some black sand to the top of the slope to try and blend from dry to wet.
• Added two Gold Ribbon plants and four Java Fern.
• Added a few small horn wood pieces for accent.
• Added a bit of leaf litter to the soil.

Have to get a new glass top cut to keep humidity high and add something to the right corner to hide the wires. I'll give it a week or two before ordering the crabs to make sure plants and water conditions are ideal.

Also going to make a diy humidifier so I don't have to mist it everyday and grab some moss.

Lots of photos.