Started buiding aquaterrarium

[stavroske]

I started building an aquaterrarium for my Triturus marmoratus group. It's 1.70m aquarium. Here are some pics of the building so far.
I hope it will become a nice tank

This is how far I stand at this moment. There's still a lot of work, but I hope to take it in use next spring. In the meantime I can finish it and hopefully get it detoxicated...

Kind regards Steven

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Looking good Steven!

Is that acrylic fortified concrete I see?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

While a good bit of time in the summer sun gets rid of the VOC (volatile organic compounds), plain water will do the same. You can feasibly fill the tank with tap water and the add a cloth bag of activated carbon. Let it soak like this for about a month, drain it, and let it air dry for a few weeks. Then you are ready to go!

 

[stavroske]

Looking good Steven!

Is that acrylic fortified concrete I see?

Thanks!

I don't know exactly how to translate to english but the "online translator" calls it Flag adhesive. I mixed it with compactuna for beter elasticity and a little waterproof. I will use 3 or 4 layers of the adhesive. The parts were the water comes, will be covered with Epoxy.

Kind regards,

Steven

 

[Otterwoman]

That is so fine! What kind of paints are you using?

 

[stavroske]

the underwater-part is covered with 2 layers of epoxy. Also the waterfall and the bottom of the landpart is covered with it. I finally see the end coming closer now. Above water will come another layer of flag adhesive mixed with peat and moss.

first layer epoxy:

second layer epoxy:

Kind regards,

Steven

 

[stavroske]

The final layer is a fact now. It contains specie mixed with compactuna, ground moss and peat. It looks much more natural now if you compare it with the previous grey layers.

Now I can fill the tank with water and put a bag of carbon in it.

Please let me know what you think about the tank so far.

Kind regards,

Steven

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Sometimes its hard to envision the outcome but that looks like it will be wonderful when its complete. It has a bunch of different elements that will prove to look amazing when everything comes together. I have tried some similar stuff like this but only on a fractional scale and in the end I was really happy with the result. Keep up the good work!

Mitch

 

[Ben Krysa]

Oh man! It's really comin' along! I'm really curious as to how this build will look when it's finished. Keep up the good work!

 

[stavroske]

Hey Guys, a little preview from the tank. I still have some job to make it more natural, but that will take some more time.

Please feel free to comment:

 

[eljorgo]

God job it looks amazing! what's that brown mass inside the water near the glass? a bag?
More pics! take some high photos to we can see the other part
chip.

 

[caudatadude28]

I love it! It looks so nice. It looks clean, crisp, and natural to me. You really did a good job on it. What else do you plan on doing to it?

 

[stavroske]

I love it! It looks so nice. It looks clean, crisp, and natural to me. You really did a good job on it. What else do you plan on doing to it?

I had to decorate it some more. Did it this afternoon, now I hope it will grow well. I'll put some pictures here tomorrow.

 

[bishop1319]

I've been away from this site for a while now, but I'm so happy to see the first thing I read is your project...it's amazing! Keep up the good work.

 

[stavroske]

As promised, some foto's of the decorated tank. It all has to grow, and hopefully it does all grow well.

The original plan that I made before starting. Some thing have been chanced along the way, but the basic is still the same...

I'd love to know your opinion about my tank!

Kind regards,

Steven

 

[KittiKatt]

WOW! I think it is awesome and the plants have grown so well in all those little pockets you desgined! Awesome job! It is at least very pleasing to the eye! I hope the critters love it. I am sure they will.

 

[Yahilles]

Super tank. I can't wait until Ficus pumila spread all over the paludarium!

WOW! I think it is awesome and the plants have grown so well in all those little pockets you desgined!

Haha, they haven't grown yet

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Spectacular build! I am in awe of your vivaria skills! Keep up the good work!

I can not wait to see this enclosure in a few months.

 

[Azhael]

Lovely looking tank!
It will be a paradise for your T.marmoratus.

I only have two minor concerns, one is that perhaps the shore areas look a bit difficult to climb, although i doubt they´ll have trouble getting on land. The other concern are the oak leaves. Oak leaves can affect the pH of both your terrestrial sustrate and your water, plus they contain phenols that can in large enough quantities be toxic.

 

[stavroske]

Thanks! I'm looking forward too to see it full grown.

Lovely looking tank!
It will be a paradise for your T.marmoratus.

I only have two minor concerns, one is that perhaps the shore areas look a bit difficult to climb, although i doubt they´ll have trouble getting on land. The other concern are the oak leaves. Oak leaves can affect the pH of both your terrestrial sustrate and your water, plus they contain phenols that can in large enough quantities be toxic.

They have no problems to get on shore Azhael. Some parts of the wall are good for them to climb on.

I wasn't aware that oak leaves could be toxic! That they can affect the Ph, I did know but there are only 3 leaves in the water so that shouldn't give any problems. On the land there are much more leaves. Did it happen that someone got troubles with oak leaves on a terrestrial part?