Paludarium Attempt!

HI guys! I had a 10 gallon sitting around so I decided to try to build a paludarium! I used Touch N Foam landscape foam for ponds, a piece of driftwood, and some floral foam to make an elevated area. Since this is my first try I used WAY too much foam and I changed my mind a lot during the process! Here's some pics of my progress so far, I'm going to put a waterfall in rear right corner coming off the driftwood. I'm going to silicone the green foam and put soil in the square area and hollow out behind the driftwood for more planting space! What do you think?

 

does the foam holding the driftwood stick to the back wall on its own or did you have to glue it seperately

 

I siliconed the driftwood to the glass and then sprayed the foam around it. I'm thinking I should put clear silicone on the wood at least where I want the water to flow over it. I'll take a top view pic to show where I dug the foam out for "planters"

 

Front view



Top down



I think I'm making progress! At least it doesn't look like a big foam blob anymore!

 

looks good. iv been trying to figure out something to do for my 150gal and this might be the route I go

 

what kinds of foam are you using?

 

Touch n foam landscape. It's for ponds and waterfalls

 

Waiting for silicone to dry!! I put some gravel over foamed areas to look a little less fake. Siliconed tubing for waterfall and glued in a piece of driftwood to attempt to hide pump and keep gravel out of it. Next pic will have water!!

 

What goes in a tank like this?
Also looks interesting!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

I'm going to get fire belly toads. I was hoping for fish as well, but I'll have to attempt this again with a larger tank so I can get deeper water!

 

Yup, the toads will love it there!
Add some love plants too! pothos plants are good
For fish, your right, you'll need a larger tank to support them, since frogs and fish don't go together

 

Looks amazing! you might be able to do killi's, everglades sunfish, mosquito live bearer, something super tiny. I'm not sure how big your tank is.

 

Looks amazing! you might be able to do killi's, everglades sunfish, mosquito live bearer, something super tiny. I'm not sure how big your tank is.

The tank is 10 gallons but it's only going to be filled up with a gallon or two
Want support much, since it's going to be occupied by toads too

 

I was hoping to have fish too, maybe my next tank! There will only be a couple inches of water in this tank
For the planted area, I bought the compressed coconut fiber.. Is that good to plant in? I will put a layer of gravel under it. Should I mix it with organic potting soil? What do you guys use?

 

Epic Fail!! my foam did not adhere well to back wall and the black "waterproof" caulk did not work!!
Back to the drawing board.......
My waterfall idea didn't come out so well either(but that's how I found leaks!)
So now I'm thinking of incorporating a reptofilter or whisper 10I filter to create the waterfall
Stay tuned! Lol