(Mainly) Carnivorous Paludarium

I started this project Monday, but I've been designing it for the better part of the year.

I do believe this is a Zilla terrarium.
I placed a space heater inside the aquarium to start making the silicone malleable so I could remove the plastic rim from the top. I have no use for the top, as I'm going to be removing the front pane. Slid a bare razor underneath the rim and started cutting the silicone I could reach.

Idiot move. Almost lost a finger... Went looking for the pen knife - much easier and not nearly as terrifying!
I need the base, so my buddy is going to lend me his heat gun. Between the gun, acetone soaked qtips, the pen knife and some fishing line, I'm going to remove the base and the front pane.
(More on this when I eventually get to that stage.).

For now, I'm starting to work on the framework. I'm using light diffusers and several pounds of zip ties, lol, to make a frame and then terraces for the plants. I'm intending on using all sorts of 'dews, utrics, lowland neps and various mosses. It will also have a couple of ferns and a ficus!
I'm going to have a very shallow water feature at the front with aquatic plants.

I'm suuper excited for this project and I'll post updates as I make progress.

I've attached a google pic that inspired the finished layout and a photo of the start of my project!

Spent a few hours snipping and sanding egg crate.
Then another hour or so with zip ties and adding structural support.
Hopefully I'll have the frame done by mid next week and can get the front pane off, as well.

After plenty of effort and input, I've decided to keep the front pane in place - rather than risk breaking it.
I've got a 6x3 foot pane of glass in the basement. I'll make something with a wonky shape out of that.

Beyond that, I've only gotten around to the frame today, but I've made a fair amount of progress.
Hopefully get the other portion done tonight, as well.

Thats going to look incredible! Cant wait

Looks great!
That's a lot of work.

Any updates? Im very excited to see this haha

Currently working on this!
Attached the substrate barrier, working on my living wall... Spray foam is on the horizon!

Still debating on how and where to put a waterfall, if I decide to do one..

Also trying to figure out if there are any fish that will live in highly acidic water - does anyone know what this mini bog could end up at?

Wouldn't let me attach to last post!

Has anyone else made a paludarium?
I'm thinking of having all of the empty space below the frame filled with cp substrate.
Do you think a drainage layer is neccessary, or do you think that the several pumps and filters I will have going, will keep water flowing through the substrate, so it doesn't get stale?

sisyphus said:

Wouldn't let me attach to last post!

Has anyone else made a paludarium?
I'm thinking of having all of the empty space below the frame filled with cp substrate.
Do you think a drainage layer is neccessary, or do you think that the several pumps and filters I will have going, will keep water flowing through the substrate, so it doesn't get stale?

Click to expand...

I think with the flowing water it wouldnt get stale as quick, but perhaps make a way to guide the water out of the tank so you can exchange it

FlyTrapKing said:

I think with the flowing water it wouldnt get stale as quick, but perhaps make a way to guide the water out of the tank so you can exchange it

Click to expand...

I agree. Prolly do a water change every 2 weeks, just as one would with an aquarium.


Do you guys (and gals) think a bubbler (and high quality pump) underneath the substrate would be beneficial?
There will be 3 - 4ish inches of water, which will keep the bottom of the substrate waterlogged .
I was thinking that if there was the constant movement of water plus the added air through the substrate, that would help keep everything fresh and optimal?

Water movement plus aeration sounds like a bonus.

sisyphus said:

I agree. Prolly do a water change every 2 weeks, just as one would with an aquarium.


Do you guys (and gals) think a bubbler (and high quality pump) underneath the substrate would be beneficial?
There will be 3 - 4ish inches of water, which will keep the bottom of the substrate waterlogged .
I was thinking that if there was the constant movement of water plus the added air through the substrate, that would help keep everything fresh and optimal?

Click to expand...

I agree, but keep in mind it could uproot plants if to strong, and cloud the water depending on substrate.

Going out to a couple of stores for mopani tomorrow .
Was gonna do it today, but, freezing rain...

Question;
Since I'm building a bog, and the ph is likely to be under 4...
Can I use any old, properly cleaned wood in the build? I figure decomp is at a minimum, due to the acidity, so whatever I choose shouldn't rot, correct?

Probably very slowly.

Lloyd Gordon said:

Probably very slowly.

Click to expand...

Cover the parts that will be expose to water with silicone and peat
moss?

sisyphus said:

Cover the parts that will be expose to water with silicone and peat
moss?

Click to expand...

That could work well. Just make sure the silicone is cured properly or it will leach and kill the plants.

I think a hard wood should last a long time. Some of the tropical woods should last a very long time.

I should have some build updates in the next few days. I disliked the other half of my design once I had it pretty much finished, so I removed one water feature and rebuilt it from scratch.
Going out today to buy a couple of pieces of Mopani or find a couple pieces of willow.

But, plant update!
I now have a small handful of live plants to put in so it won't look so bare as the seeds I will sprinkle in sprout and grow!

Everything in the small deli cups is from @Kell27, nepenthes is from Belgian nursery and red cups are some of the seeds from @WillyCKH.

Thanks for the updates, I'm very excited to see the progress of this project!

Round 1 - outlining the hardscape!