How to build a Paludarium
A paludarium is a cross of a Vavarium and an Aquarium,it incorporates the best of both words.The element of water land and live plants makes for a truly unique display piece for every enthusiast.
Below you will find all the information and instructions to create your own slice of heaven in your living room.
What you will need:
- Small aquarium or plastic tub Aquarium Tank, Glass, 20 Gal
- Clear flexible tube with some joints Aquarium Clear White Silicon Tube
- Aquarium pump Submersible Water Pump
- Aquarium Filter Paludarium Filters
- Acrylic panel
- Silicon Aquarium safe silicone
- Sand for substrate Aquarium Sand & Cravel
- Coco Fiber Coconut Fiber
- Heater Aquarium Heater
- Leca Balls Hydroton GMHT10L Hydroponic Grow Rocks, 10 Liter Bag
- Moss Live moss
- Plants Aquarium Live Plants
- Expandable Foam Great Stuff
- Hoses and Fittings
- Torch Butane Torch
- Aquarium Fertilizer Live Aquarium Plant Food
- Ultrasonic Fogger Fogger
Lets Begin!
You will need to separate land area from water area,this can be done with the use of an acrylic panel bended like the photo blow.Glue with silicone and use torch to meld the top and bend in to position.
Have your live plants ready
And Live moss
Once you install the acrylic panel you can cover it with silicone and glue some flat rocks to hide it and crate a wall structure that looks natural
Apply expandable foam to create the back wall.
While foam is still wet insert planting posts at the places you would like to plant your live plants.
After foam is set you need to carve the details of your paludarium.Get creative!
Insert your flexible tube for the water fall
Cover all areas with black or brown silicone and press the coco fiber on,you will need a thick layer.you may need to repeat this process untile all areas are evenly covered
Put leca balls behind the acrylic panel to fill the back up to the top
install weed net on top and cover with soil or coco fiber husk
Connect tube fittings
Start planting your plants
And live moss
Fill with water and let it run to check for leaks
Add substrate filter and pump
Plant your aquarium plants and fertilize them
Once water is set you can add small tropical fish and perhaps some amphibians
Install your fogger
Congratulations you now have a wonderful and relaxing Paludarium
That can be your living rooms center piece
Its a dream!
Top view of paludarium
It might seem to be a lot of work, but the results are stunning!
Well worth the time spend.
Leave your comments below if you have any questions
Good Luck.
Just a humble fwi; a paludarium is a form of vivarium, not the other way around. The word “vivarium”, roughly translated, means “place for life”. A paludarium is more a cross between a terrarium (place for terrestrial life) and an aquarium (place for aquatic life). There are many other forms of vivarium including aviarium for birds (avian) and one that this project most closely resembles, a riparium – a vivarium for bog/swamp/marsh type plants.
Hi Roy
It looks like you know your stuff
Thanks