Fire bellied toad paludarium constucton help?

LadyBug · #1 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 07:44 PM

I'm thinking of keeping a couple of FBTs in a ten gallon bow front acrylic tank with a matching hood. i'd love some input and ideas as to how to make a really awesome looking tank for them without having to glue stuff to the tank, as it's a really nice tank and i'd like to have it be usable in the future for whatever i want to put in it

. i'd love to put some live plants in there to, if it's possible(and if so what kinds?)

burketja · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 09:37 PM

does an acyrillic tnak have a top rim, i.e. one that sticks into the profile of the tank. if it doesn't, i would build a drop in backround. You should be able to get a tight fit with the sides and back. I am a HUGE advoate of dropins because i don't like to glue to the tank either.

beckdg · #3 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 12:59 AM

i need to know what you want... you can use various types of foams to make structures... you can use eggcrate to form them... you can use silicone and many materials to make a facade... you can use many types of cretes, grouts, sealers, paints depending on where each piece will be... you can use hooks to hang planters and such... there's a lot of possibilities... just remember to leave wiggle room and check fit relentlessly and repeatedly if you decide to make structures outside of the tank and then put them in... i'd say an easy styrofoam and crete bg with a small (purchased) waterfall... use aquarium gravel or leca as a bottom layer and slope it over the bottom of the waterfall... fill the tank with water high enough for the waterfall to utilize it... add a bunch of wood and a few plants like anubias and bamboo that can have their roots directly in water... hang a couple potters in the back corners for some hanging plants like pothos... just make sure you slope the land area high enough that you can put some screen and coco fiber/moss/leaf litter and add a couple of hides... idk.. just a quick idea... if you want everything removable you will be giving up a lot of possibilities and it might prove worth it to spring for a slightly bigger tank... a more specific question would help... we're full of ideas, but it's really yours that needs to come together for you.

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 02:23 AM

What are the dimensions of the tank (length, sides, front to back in the middle of the bow, and height)? A ten gallon sounds too small for two FBTs to me. I've never seen a ten gallon bowfront though, so I'm not sure.

If you are set on the ten gallon, I'd do a drop in BG if I were you, if you want one. They are easy, and you don't have to glue it in.

Pothos is good for a FBT paludarium, it can grow in water and on land, so it's quite versatile. They also like to sit on the leaves, which are strong enough to hold them.

LadyBug · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggsong

What are the dimensions of the tank (length, sides, front to back in the middle of the bow, and height)? A ten gallon sounds too small for two FBTs to me. I've never seen a ten gallon bowfront though, so I'm not sure.

If you are set on the ten gallon, I'd do a drop in BG if I were you, if you want one. They are easy, and you don't have to glue it in.

Pothos is good for a FBT paludarium, it can grow in water and on land, so it's quite versatile. They also like to sit on the leaves, which are strong enough to hold them.

this is the tank-Amazon.com: Marineland PFES12 Eclipse Seamless Integrated Aquarium System Twelve, 12 Gallons: Kitchen & Dining. i'm at my grandparents right now and the tank is all packed up at home, so i can't measure it at the moment.
i'd really like to use the tank, it's so nice a polished and it fits in the spot i have.
the look i guess i'm going for is kinda forest pond/stream? gluing is totally not an option. i have two of the small whisper power filters either or both of which could be used. time isn't a huge problem, but i'm 15 so i don't have *unlimited* cash.

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 08:51 PM

Doesn't that tank have built in filtration? You might be able to use it somehow.

I still think it's a little small, but if you plan really carefully it might work out. I wouldn't put in any more than two FBTs though.

LadyBug · #7 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggsong

Doesn't that tank have built in filtration? You might be able to use it somehow.

the filter was crap

. it had trouble starting back up if you stopped it and i couldn't find another bio-wheel, so i just tossed it

beckdg · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 03:48 PM

you probably had to backfill it to get it started... (pour water in the top and start once full)... many hob filters are the same way

LadyBug · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

you probably had to backfill it to get it started... (pour water in the top and start once full)... many hob filters are the same way

yeah, i figured that out, but then i couldn't find the bio wheel and there was some other issue.....idk on what it was, that was like a year ago

. it made more sense to toss it and get something i knew worked

.