If you want to combine land and water habitats in your tank — create a paludarium — the best bet for a beginner may be a paludarium kit.
However, after poking around various shopping and search sites, it seems like it might be difficult to find one! Terrarium kits are far easier to find. Educational suppliers like Carolina do offer “river tank” ecosystems for classrooms that can support aquatic and land animals and plants.
Don’t be put off by the lack of kits available at the moment — you can still make your own paludarium! The first think you need is a tank. The bigger the better, especially if you’re going to have both land and water! Figure out how much space you want to devote to each portion of the tank to help you determine overall tank size.
Next you’ll need a way to separate land and water. Aquarium hobbyists have reported trying to separate land and water “naturally” — using rocks and gravel to keep the water back, only to have the water seep through the land area and create a messy, moldy bog. Yuck! Although it isn’t quite as natural, a glass or plastic insert will keep land and water safely separated.
You’ll need some kind of waterproof sealant to fix the insert in place. From a quick look around various shopping sites, clear aquarium silicone sealant is usually available for less than ten dollars. Make sure the tank is clean and dry before you apply your sealant! Follow the instructions on the package for use and drying.
Now the fun begins — filling your tank. If this is your very first paludarium, you might want to start off with only plants in your tank. This will give you a chance to get used to caring for your ecosystem without risking any animals.
Other things your tank may need:
- A water filter and circulation system
- A water heater (especially if the fish you want have specific temperature requirements)
- A heating lamp (especially if you’re planning to keep cold-blooded critters)
Next, it’s on to the fun stuff — plants and animals for your paludarium!