300 gallon Paludarium build (image heavy)

[Diana]

Thought I would share some photos of our latest project for those that are interested: a 300 gallon Paludarium. Variety of plant species but no fauna for now. We are using approximately 300 watts T5 lighting, it has two waterfall features for water circulation as well as a fan for air circulation. We aren't heating the water (yet) as the apartment stays quite warm. We set this up in one day. It was a long one.

Tank in wall & supplies ready to go in
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu1.JPG

Constructing the structure using lighting grate, zap straps and plastic crates
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu8.JPG

Structure complete
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu2.JPG

Sewing landscape cloth onto structure
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu9.JPG

Structure covered
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu4.JPG

Adding soil
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu10.JPG

Adding plants... :P
http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu12.JPG

http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu13.JPG

http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu14.JPG

Almost complete!

http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu15.JPG

http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/pictures/palu6.JPG

We have yet to add another two inches of water, some floating plants and tidy things up. Over time the ground covers and mosses will grow in and cover most of the exposed landscape fabric.

Note to future self: try to avoid soil with perlite. Its great for the plants but floats in water :mad:

Will post some more shots once things are settled :)

-Diana

[wreck]

Super cool!! Nice work!!

[Treebeard]

Beautiful! What kind of critters will be lucky enough to live here?

[Eduardo]

Very nice.

[Azzkr]

awesome set up. also wondering whats going to live in there

[Bblinks]

Looks awesome. Can't wait to see more pics! Nice work.

[reefwars]

incredible is all i can say.....wanna come make one for me too:mrgreen::mrgreen:

[albert_dao]

You might want to ditch the Sarracenia. They don't do well indoors longterm and need a wintering period.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Wow, thanks for sharing.

[Skimmerking]

Wow that looks amazing and the tank looks good too.:razz:

[Aquattro]

Wow that looks amazing and the tank looks good too.:razz:

You must be getting old Mike. I was expecting this post as #2 or 3, not post 10. :)

[JDigital]

Wow! That looks fantastic! Nice work!

Looks like you already got some wildlife in there! :lol:

[Skimmerking]

You must be getting old Mike. I was expecting this post as #2 or 3, not post 10. :)
i know Brad I must be!!! I'm still feeling my muscles from last weekend from racing Motocross. lol And i have another race this weekend:sad:

[Salt2Death]

Everything in that setup is beautiful!
Nice Work


Sent Via The Pirate Ship.......
Garrrrrrrrr

[Diana]

Thanks for the comments everyone! ;)

Regarding livestock, for now we are keeping it plants only but might consider some mountain minnows down the road. Interesting experience with the sarracenia Albert, I had it flourish in my personal paludarium for years. Growth would slow over the winter but it never seemed to need a forced hibernation. But I'll definitely keep my eye on it. :)

-Diana

[michika]

I love this. Nice job!

[Doug]

Absolutely beautiful Diana.

[StirCrazy]

Absolutely beautiful Diana.

for sure, everything I have seen Diana post is amazing, maybe I should get her to design the layout to my tank when I set it up :mrgreen:

Didn't take you long to get home and on here Doug, haha.

Steve

[MarkoD]

You must be getting old Mike. I was expecting this post as #2 or 3, not post 10. :)

I was gonna comment on the cutie in post 2, I held back tho

[Diana]

Aw shucks guys, you're awesome. I'd never turn down a chance to help aquascape.... Im all over that like a fart in a space suit. ;)

[marie]

Has everything settled yet? More Pics? :mrgreen:

[11purewater]

T:biggrin:hat's beautiful! where's the Leezards!

[Delphinus]

Whoa, I totally missed this thread. Nice work!

+1 the request for more pictures please!

[Lance]

Yes, more pics please. How are you making out with yours Marie?

[marie]

Yes, more pics please. How are you making out with yours Marie?

It has issues but looks ok. I'm moving on to the 120g by the stairs. All the fish and corals have been moved to the big tank, It's now a clean, empty slate so I'm looking for ideas :lol:

[Seriak]

Wow! You are giving me some ideas now.

[Seriak]

Do you end up with those little bugs because of the humidity?

[Haloreef]

Viv looks great!
If you are looking for stocking Ideas my sugestion would be any of the Amereega species of Dart frogs as they do well in stream side enviromets.
As a bonus they have a nice bird like, trilling call.
Keith.

[Diana]

Ive been meaning to post some updated photos next time we are at the house. In the mean time here is a bloom one of the sarracenia put out... which might indicate it is going dormant however most of them are still sending new shoots.

So far most everything is thriving, especially the ground cover :mmph:.

http://www.aquaticescapes.ca/images/bloom2.jpg

:)
-Diana