Hey from Northern VA

[rjaredgull]

Hey all, Im new to the forum. I have a 55 gal paludarium that I've had for about 2 years. I have a young Chinese Water dragon, and Malasian Golden Gecko, a few random frogs (cuban, firebelly), and a school of tetras.

I have had several problems with the tank over the years. I started it out with a resvior filter system. Two pumps sucks water into the resevoir, and two pumps pushed it back into the tank. The system worked ok until the power went out one night. The "siphon" effect continued to draw water out of the tank, flooding my basment with the 15 or so galons from the tank.

I ended up going with a canister filter setup, normally intended for aquariums. This has been working much better. The only problem now is that the under gravel grate I have has been getting clogged with dirt and mud. It is an ongoing battle.

I guess thats enough for now. I'll get some pics up soon.

[beckdg]

welcome to the site.

[Ausfrog]

Have you considered drilling your tank and using an overflow and sump?

Oh, and welcome to the site!

[rjaredgull]

I have considered the overflow/sump method. However, on the underside of my tank it has "Do Not Drill" stikers everywhere. That, and I also have a bad history with water leaks.

My problem with the clogging is coming from the local red clay I have placed inside. I try not to do it often, but usually a little clay is stuck to the bottoms of plants and rocks I collect and place in the tank. The clay breaks down into a very fine silt, which builds up in the gravel at the bottom.
I like to use the clay because it gives my tank a earthy, natural look. More so than black aqaurium gravel does.

[Ausfrog]

I use a product called Scoria, it's a volcanic rock that you can get from garden centres here in Aus. I might be worth seeing if you can find something similar. I've found it to be quite a good drainage layer, it's pretty porous, lightweight, it is that redy earthy colour you like and doesn't brake down that easily from what i've seen so far.