New Paludarium

herp35 · #1 06-05-2010, 04:00 PM

Hey Guys! Here is my new paludarium. After a whole bunch of fuss and glitches, I finally have it set up. It holds about 6 gallons of water with an underwater cave, It's got a small waterfall (Which I am still having trouble with), and I made a secret hole for an Exo-Terra fogger but I took it out because the fog just settled in the hole so I got a humidifier instead.

After it ages some, I will put in a few aquatic plants and some guppies and/or neon tetras.

beckdg · #2 06-05-2010, 06:44 PM

looks good.

while you're waiting... Freshwater cycling - Aquaria Central

froggsong · #3 06-06-2010, 02:35 AM

I like it.

It's a great start. Are you planning on more plants?

herp35 · #4 06-07-2010, 07:45 PM

Yes, I will eventually put in more plants.

I have a question though, I am having a major foam problem on the top of my water. Under the waterfall foamy bubbles pile up and almost cover the water's surface. How can I get rid of the foam?

beckdg · #5 06-07-2010, 07:52 PM

which great stuff did you use?

herp35 · #6 06-07-2010, 08:44 PM

I don't think it's the GreatStuff, Its something in the water. But I just used the plain gaps and cracks GS. This is more of a soap-like foam/bubbles

froggsong · #7 06-07-2010, 09:33 PM

Heh... that's what it looks like when the GS leaks into the water. It's possible that you did not let the foam cure long enough before breaking the skin. When that happens, petroleum gets into the water and floats on the top. With agitation, this creates bubbles, like suds. It's somewhat difficult to remove it all, and I'm not sure if we've come up with the best way to do it yet. Draining the water only makes the oil stick to the sides as the water level drops, so that doesn't work all that well. Skimming is somewhat effective, but still doesn't quite do the trick. If you can get your arm into the tank enough, you might try removing the suds with a cup (hold it at an angle, letting the suction pull the bubbles and any floating oil you might see into the cup).

If it's not caused by the GS, the advice will still be similar, so that's a good way to start trying to get rid of the problem.

herp35 · #8 06-07-2010, 10:17 PM

After I skim it off, will the waterfall filter and aquatic plants eventually filter it out? I have some anacharis and java moss in there now.

froggsong · #9 06-07-2010, 10:51 PM

it's petroleum... it might get stuck in your filter media, but the plants aren't going to help get rid of it. Think oil spill. You have to remove it all somehow. You can try some polishing pads in the filter, but the oil will sit on top of the water, so it's more difficult for it to end up in the filter.