Pro construction-55 lgal palu - Page 2

Biology · #11 09-11-2009, 07:05 PM

totally correct Frogsong! yea only use that mixture on the background and i wouldnt even bother with it if your planning on using a auto mister, lots of splashing or some really high dripping 100% humidity like a cave or something. I like the sand idea I've never used that! Also, the spores directly in it is a great idea, does it work pretty well? an

froggsong · #12 09-11-2009, 11:20 PM

well... I began growing something green on it, but then it began falling apart (it was just touching the surface of the water and wicking it up, getting soaked, leaching out the admix... stupid thing...). It could have been algae, but it was really too soon to be sure...

Biology · #13 09-20-2009, 03:34 PM

Well i just got back from a trip to San Diego, for a bit of work and touring the zoos and aquariums around there. In short an amazing time. So I thought i would show the filter I made. Well its a Pseudo-filter, Its not big enough to filter to much due to lack of filter media, however it will be a conventent place to drop some carbon, or other media to adjust the water. I usually have very good luck with minimal filters and getting the cycling balence "just right" for very little maintenance, Kinda my specialty actually. The only way the water in the tank WONT go to hell is if the following is kept in mind.

TO GET GOOD WATER IN A PALU:
1. the live stock is put in SLOWLY, to fast and it will crash right away. U have to be very patient to get everything working right.
2. Live plants aquatic plants are a must. They really help stabilize the water. Plus the look really great!
Also, the terrestrial plants are great if they have fine root structure which will hang into the water. These plants will a) require less watering, b) the roots help filter the water a bit.
3. Watch your alkalinity, If you dont know what that is look it up. Arguably its more important than pH as it tells u what your pH is GOING to do in the future. This is the only way to keep water parameters with a minimal amount of fluctuation
******4. ALSO, Realize that one thing is very true with this kind of Paludarium******
Your water probably wont be crystal clear, maybe ever. This is a function of watering the terrestrial soil. The soil will leech some tanins and other nutrients into the water. This is OK. Actually i prefer it. Ever been to the amazon? the water is very murky. We often assume that water in the aquarium is only good if it looks like a chlorinated swimming pool. I personally like it a bit murky or the water stained a bit. I feel it better mimics their natural water chemistry. But be aware of what fish your stocking and what they can tolerate.
5. Dont put fish in right away, water your terrestrial plants while cycling the water the water will be pretty weird looking right away so water the plants, change a good bit of the water and repeat a few times till the water is looking good. If your terrestrial plants are rooting (as said above) and getting water themselves u will have to water much less.

The Filter:
So the little filter/ media basket thing I built. It also functions well as a water catch for the "waterfall" It lays on the bottom of the land area with soil around it to cover sides and "filter".

Notice water goes into the gravel area then trickles into the inlet then into the media, right now i threw in a few bio-balls for whatever, but ill probably put some filter foam too.

Construction is pretty easy just cardboard "mold", crack some acrylic pieces to fit, place them in the mold (basically to hold its shape when its drying and silicon away. Heres a pic of a cardboard for the base, very hightech, tape, and cardboard.

Biology · #14 09-20-2009, 03:40 PM

To be more clear, the filter is placed in a hole cut in the egg crate with screen butting up close to the sides to prevent substrate going to the bottom.

Also on the topic of water qual , heres a trick i use for the PCV supports for the egg crate, cut little notches in the bottoms with a rotozip to allow water flow, i hate stagnant water!! it also helps with drainage for the water coming in from above

froggsong · #15 09-21-2009, 07:22 AM

I'm sure you could use the PVC "legs" to hold filter media of some sort as well (carbon maybe?).

beckdg · #16 09-22-2009, 01:08 AM

if you were to leave a trap door above a false leg you could put carbon in a media bag down there but that seems to be alot of work. the carbon would be useless as a chemical media in a couple of weeks and will slowly collect muck if it can't be replaced like any other media.

biology... this is coming along nicely. thank you for taking the time to break down some of the elementals we don't always see on build threads. it's a good change of pace and about time someone got to the nitty gritty. good job so far!

Biology · #17 09-22-2009, 02:01 PM

thanks guys! So far everything is done but putting in plants and water. Ill try to step u along up to that point. However, I may be getting a full time amphibian research position and moving in several weeks so im kinda stalling b/c i will have to move to a new city if i get it. And much easier to move an empty tank.
And let me tell you it is SOOOOO HARD not to finish it and start planting and cycling the water!!!!! Ahh I finally get to the best part and now I have to wait. hahah

Biology · #18 09-22-2009, 02:04 PM

Oh I have a question, kind of off topic i danno if this should be in another thread but its specifically for my palu. Do you think Dart frogs would do ok? I've had them before, but never in a palu like this. my only concern is that they would jump into the water and drown. I know they can swim a bit, and if it is easy to get out of the water do you think i would have a problem? Anyone running darts in a palu with pretty deep water?

RecycledAgain · #19 09-23-2009, 12:25 PM

Can darts swim? ; You will find that is a question usually answered with a definite no.

I think any time you mix them with deep water you are taking a chance, but I do know that they can float and move about in the water for short periods of time, but they definitely are not built for swimming. A duckling can drown if trapped in the water for a surprisingly short amount of time.

I would have many floating plants and wood escape routs and shallow sloped edges so the frog had access to terrafirma if he did manage to fall in.

Dan

eddyplaner · #20 10-17-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biology

Just like mixing drinks i put it in the following ratio:

4 parts peatmoss
4 parts cocoa fiber
1-2 part concrete fixative
little sprinkle of water if needed to get it a bit damp

This gives u a nice brown sticky stuff that hardens as hard as concrete.

Yo Biology,

Your construction of your paludarium is absolutely awesome! I can see that sexy paludarium is going to be more nature like as you seems a true nature biology expertise

BTW
Can you please tell me the brand of concrete fixative that you are using for your palu, or put up photo of it...will much appreciate for that in the name of passion.