Paludarium Design (75 Gallon)

I need some suggestions for how to go about this project. I’ve had a 55 gallon freshwater tank for a couple months and I had a saltwater tank in marine biology, in high school, but otherwise I’m just going off my own research.

Questions:
- Can you have a habitat with both frogs and fish?

- Do I need a cool/warm air intake/outtake? Does that mean fans? Where would I put them?

- How do you drill a big enough and accurate hole in the tank(s) to attach a hose for a sump? How do you attach the hoses?

- I was thinking about buying a sump filter that’s already assembled but what kind would I need? I’ve never built a sump before.

- What kind of lighting would I need and how would I install the fixture for it?

- Do I need heat lamps as well or is there a light that incorporates that?

- Is it possible to have a saltwater paludarium, or is it too complicated for a paludarium beginner to attempt or not even possible?

- I calculated that it will cost around 500, I’m wondering if this is realistic and if I could get away with cheaper.

- I don’t know how to set up a CO2 line, and I’m wondering if the paludarium could function without it if I got the right aquatic plants? Would plants that don’t require CO2 thrive just as well, require the same maintenance/care, and be just as visually appealing?

- I was thinking about making a chicken wire/screened lid that folds up so I can access the tank and so the cats can’t get in. I will most likely be putting it on a high stand so I think it’s pretty unlikely that the cats will attempt to jump on it?

- For the rain chamber I was going to use pvc piping and drill holes in it, place it towards the back. I don’t know how to establish pressure to get the water from a tank to the chamber because there’s no water line that I can hook it up to in my room. I’m planning on buying the mister and the fogger pre-assembled.

- I don’t know what kind of stand would house all this equipment, I don’t really mind if some of it is out on a table, I can disguise that if need be. I did not include the sump and stand in my rough calculation for how much it would cost.

- I plan on building this project in pieces so I don’t break the bank, and adding the fish, and frogs/reptiles/amphibians (if that’s a possibility), after I get everything assembled, I mean obviously, but I’m wondering at what point in the process I can add the plants and other life to the tank? If that makes sense.

- For the left side land area tank, how can I make sure the underwater cave below it doesn’t break under the weight of a bit of substrate and water?

- I think I’m gonna add a foam backdrop with mounted plants and possibly a water feature like a trickling waterfall, but the waterfall sounds pretty complicated on top of all this stuff.

- I was thinking of incorporating some fantasy elements like Glo-Fish and a black light, fake glowing decor? But I don’t want it to look cheesy or unnatural, I just really like the look of the glowing forest in Avatar lol. I also was thinking about some neon Tetras and shrimp. I would like stuff that’s vibrant/neon/colorful, really pretty to look at essentially.

- How do I create the slanted walls to keep the substrate on the ramps in? Would disguising them with plants be the best idea?

- What kind of substrate should I use? I was thinking pool filter sand.

- I was thinking I would build up the hardscape with brick, egg crate and pre-washed stone bags. I can’t remember besides gravel what else you put between the rocks before you put the final substrate in.

- Under the substrate, what mix, additives, and nutrients would you suggest for the plants?

- What Plants would you suggest for this build and where’s a good place to get them and the other livestock that will be in this build?

- Suggestions for species in general for this build?

- Is a bubbler and wave-maker okay?

-What kind of water heater would be best for this setup?

- How often will the misting, fogging, and rain need to be on?

- How often is trimming necessary?

- Does the room have to have zero sunlight and remain a certain temperature because I like to keep my windows cracked for fresh air and so it doesn’t get too hot on the second floor.

- Any suggestions? Anything I left out? I’ll include a pic of the plan and materials, etc.

Plan:



Some materials:



Etc.

 

Looks like you've put lots of thought and energy into this! Very interesting, and I can't wait until I have more time to take a closer look into everything you have down. A few thoughts on what I skimmed over -

Habitat with both frogs and fish?

I'm no expert in frogs and fish relation, but frogs are very aggressive feeders, sometimes trying to eat much bigger species than they are able to and dying in the process. We don't think of frogs as so aggressively carnivorous but they absolutely can be in some species, even small species. Maybe there are species that can inhabitant a common area, but my initial thought is NO without digging any farther. Maybe someone knows of species I don't.

As far as drilling holes, and sump questions -

highly suggest looking up the King of DIY and his YouTube channel. There many, many videos that Joey had that will help you with questions like this.

As far as Co2 -

There are plenty of aquatic plants that don't require much maintenance. Look into beginner plants like anubias, Java ferns, water wisteria. These plants will not require Co2 under lower lighting and some can even be grown in the terrestrial part as well in emersed form.

 

Mkay thank you!!

 

Update: I realized I spelled things wrong, intake and outtake for sump filter are switched up, meant to put amphibians instead of land animals lol, and they can’t live with fish, so they will be separated with screening with a separate outtake hose, probably until I can afford to build them their own tank; unless I decide to make this build exclusively for frogs or exclude them all together since I am worried about maintenance level for them.

 

Update: I realized I spelled things wrong, intake and outtake for sump filter are switched up, meant to put amphibians instead of land animals lol, and they can’t live with fish, so they will be separated with screening with a separate outtake hose, probably until I can afford to build them their own tank; unless I decide to make this build exclusively for frogs or exclude them all together since I am worried about maintenance level for them.

Forgot to mention aquatic frogs as an option as well, African dwarf frogs with Tetras?

 

*intake into sump filter, outtake back into tank. @.@ I will need an extra outtake into amphibian tank as well.*

 

*hardscape will be smoothed out in fish area*

 

*water level in frog scape will be lessened, will decrease weight on lower tank.*

 

Jealous xD.

 

Forgot to mention aquatic frogs as an option as well, African dwarf frogs with Tetras?

It might work. Some people don't recommend it because the frogs can be easily outcompeted for food.

 

Maybe get some floating food for the Tetra's and something that sinks for the frogs.

 

- Can you have a habitat with both frogs and fish?

Depends on the frog and the fish. Generally, if the frog can got the fish in it'd mouth, it'll eat it. Same goes for the fish. Poison dart frogs (are only poisonus if they eat a certain beetle from their natural habitat) don't go into the water, but you'd have to take precautions for in case they fall.

- Would plants that don’t require CO2 thrive just as well, require the same maintenance/care, and be just as visually appealing?

There are plants that do great with out CO2, and require only basic lights. I have quite a few beautiful plants in my tank and I don't run CO2.

- I think I’m gonna add a foam backdrop with mounted plants and possibly a water feature like a trickling waterfall, but the waterfall sounds pretty complicated on top of all this stuff.

The waterfall isint really complicated. If you're doing all this, you might as well throw in a waterfall. You'd just use some pvc pipe and a water pump, hold it in place with the foam background. There are lots of YouTube videos on how to do it.

- I was thinking of incorporating some fantasy elements like Glo-Fish and a black light, fake glowing decor? But I don’t want it to look cheesy or unnatural, I just really like the look of the glowing forest in Avatar lol. I also was thinking about some neon Tetras and shrimp. I would like stuff that’s vibrant/neon/colorful, really pretty to look at essentially.

Check out neon green and neon blue Rasboras! They look awesome, almost glow naturally, and you could have a HUGE school in a 75g.

 

You mentioned a saltwater paludarium, I recently bought a goby sold as a bichir, so we plan to make a brackish tank for it, it doesn't need a whole lot of upwards swimming space or water agitation, so I'm doing things as simple as possible, though I'll probably invest in a rain bar or humidifier for my whole room.

We plan to have fiddler crabs, red claw crabs, and our two types of gobies.
We have two knight gobies and a dragon goby.

I haven't got my post up yet, but it's a 20 long, and I'll be filling it about halfway with water, and there will be two underwater beachlike chambers.
I'm hoping to try to get one to be above water for the crabs, thanks to an idea from someone else involving a beach inside a pickle jar.

I'm totally unsure of the plants I'll be having in the dirted section of the tank, but I'm hoping it turns out very nicely.
I started the concept today and got most of what I need for it.