20 Gallon Stocking

[Jack7234]

Hello, I am making a 20 gallon paludarium. I know it's small but we're building on the outside of the tank with screens to make it bigger. But right now I have black skirt tetra that I am buying more of once we get the bigger tank and start building, and I also have two guppies, which we will also be buying more. This tank will have about 15 gallons of water after we build up and out, thought it may go as high as 17 gallons. We are building this is a water sealed styrofoam with lots of different textures on it. We will probably not use live plants in the tank as to do with our apartment regulations on aquariums/terrariums. We are allowed to own amphibians, and I have looked into some, such as a tree frog, but I've read that they can drown in the water; Poison dart frogs, but we cannot afford this at the time as most get above 45 dollars. We can do that in about two to three months. And then we've also read about the fire bellied toads that are poisonous to other animals in the paludarium. So I'm now sitting here wondering what I can put into my paludarium that won't eat my fish or poison them, but will still be nice to own. I do really want a tree frog but will I have to take extra precautions, or would something else be better. And what exactly are geckos, are they reptiles or amphibians? Also we were thinking of two or three Black Kuhli Loaches, would this be okay with my previous fish?

[Maverick]

Geckos are average sized lizards, that I believe are mostly arboreal. They are extremely unique, I love the way they use their feet and the way they lick their eyes!
Considering putting one in my paludarium when its done!

However, I'm under the impression geckos would do better in a Terrarium or Vivarium rather than have so much water in our paludariums.
This lead me to believe it might be better for people like us to get some type of Salamandridae family inhabitant. Such as a newt or salamander.. which are extremely cool as well!

[Jack7234]

Okay, I can't own Geckos since they would do better in a Terrarium and my apartment regulations. Do you know of any places to look at online for newts or salamanders. I'm currently starting this process on figuring everything out. I do want a frog, but I don't know which kind. I'm kind of scared of the idea that a newt or a salamander may eat my fish. I am really building this around the fish, but would like the amphibian I get to be happy. And since this is in a 20 gallon tank do you think it's a good idea to take the building outside the tank with some Plexiglas, or a type of screen mesh? And would it be safe for the newt/salamander/frog I get?

[froggsong]

Are the regulations to do with the size, or are you not allowed to have an aquarium or terrarium at all? If the latter is the case, it seems odd that you would be allowed to have a paludarium, since it is a combo of the two.

Whether you use screen, plexi, or foam will depend on the animal you'll be housing. Frogs need high humidity, so screen isn't going to work. If you want/need a background, plexi isn't going to work because the foam won't stick to it for long if at all). Your best bet will likely be either expanding foam sprayed on a frame of eggcrate, or foam insulation (white styrofoam type is very inexpensive and comes in a variety of sizes). The foam insulation will be the easiest.