Animals suitable to an open topped habitat

[evilhorde]

I am currently builing a rather large indoor pond that has a lot of land area to it as well. I am wondering what kinds of creatures may be able to live in it. I expect to have 12 inch plexiglass sides with no lid. The water area will have a couple hundred gallons and maybe 8 square feet of land area.

Right now I am thinking zebra danios and cherry shrimp in the water, freshwater terrestrial crabs on the land, and maybe just to complicate things pill bugs on one floating island and sugar ants on another. But I am not firmly decided on anything yet. What other intersting creatures could be left without a lid over their heads to stop escapes?

I am still building now so this is a good time to start changing my mind.

[x5tr41ghtj4ck3t]

The only thing I can think of are aquatic turtles (as long as the water level is low enough from the top of the 12 inch sides)

This guy had something like what you're talking about (although the edges are covered)
Turtle Tank Trickle Filter - YouTube

[Mink]

id need to see a picture of it but turtles, some of the larger frogs, etc would be good.

you mentioned lots of land and water, have you thought about doing a specific ecosystem?

with a couple hundred gallons i personally would do a upland pond enviroment
bluegills
crawfish
northern leopard frogs
painted turtle
spiney softshell

[evilhorde]

My pond is made up of one of these:

Inside of one of these:


I will put plexiglas (or something else tough and clear) above the wood. The dirt will only be a couple of inches deep on the deck and will slope down into the water in the middle. It measures 6' X 8' which is 48 square feet of habitat. But it's an open top.
I intend to install a working model railroad in there with all the necesary props and buildings as well as a waterfall, a second (much smaller) pond and a stream. I also want a lot of plant life so I am a little dubious about the turtles.

[Mink]

the only thing i would change is not having a jumping frog, something like a tiger salamander would be cool to see in it though.

looks like a really fun project. if you dont mind me asking, how are you setting up the filtration on the pond? the only project of that scale i have done was for a couple of red eared sliders in a dentist office and i underestimated the filtration i needed and ended up having to do some work beneath the floor

[evilhorde]

At the bottom of the pond I will have a few inches of lava rock. In the middle of that will be a tube running to a stainless steel tank hidden under the aquarium. The stainless tank will hold the pump and heaters. In a terrarium I had running until recently I had good success with the lava rock. It seems to make a good home for the nitrifying bacteria, it is very porous.

I think Geosesarma sp (vampire crab) would make a great pet in here. The problem with newt and salamanders (unless I am mistaken here) is that they like it to remain cool. Cool is easy in the winter but cooling it in the summer will be too much. I think it will be easier for me to heat it in the winter and just maintain a year round 28C. Actually, I am thinking that If I run enough wattage I will be able to heat half of my house from the heat leaking out of the pond but that is another hair-brained idea for later.

[Mink]

just the crabs?

either way sounds like a fun project

[Pavel]

I strongly suspect that the soil will remain too wet for ants. An very likely issue you will have with the crabs is their devouring the other inhabitants. Same problem if you go with turtles.

Uropygids (aka vineragoons) could be very cool on the land portion. There are also some types of roaches that do not fly nor climb slick surfaces well.

Part of the question, too, is just how moist or dry your land portion will be.

[evilhorde]

The soil should be as wet as I choose it to be. The main land areas will be above the water line and separated by stone so the only water up there will (should) be what I add to it via some sort of irrigation system. The lower land areas will be much wetter.

The ant island is going to be a floating model railroad ho scale barge. The dirt will be above the waterline and water will be brought up with a wick or two, Pillbug island as well, if I still want either when it comes to that point of the build.

Those vineragoons are positively creepy looking.

[x5tr41ghtj4ck3t]

I'd say tailless whip scorpions are more creepy than vinegaroons, but that's a matter of opinion. =]

I have a question about the ants.
First, the video:
Floating fire ant bridge - YouTube

That's the shortest vid I could find where ants have built bridges out of themselves to survive water. I was wondering if that only pertains to fire ants, or if any ant could do that (in which case it would concern you, as the ants would then be able to leave the piece of work you're creating).

Also, I am interested in how you're going to provide enough of a space for them to build tunnel systems and whatnot while preventing their homes from flooding; are you going to put a floating enclosure in the middle of the water such that the ants can build deeper, or is it going to be a platform with REALLY high/raised land? I'm just confused by the railroad barge thing you stated.