My large paludarium - Orchid Board

fullmonti · #1 04-25-2014, 10:16 AM

I've been working toward & on this for more than a year, still not done but thought I'd post a couple photos.

It isn't really just a orchid setup but I went to some lengths to be sure it would be suitable for them. It is a peninsula setup viewed on three sides 60X30X48" tall, 10" of water. No animals except fish as yet but will have dart frogs & a pair of small lizards.

Here is a link with a bunch more info & photos if you'd like more details. If you have any questions be happy to share.

Jim's display paludarium my first - Dendroboard

Jim

WhiteRabbit · #2 04-27-2014, 09:19 PM

Awesome!

Sharry · #3 04-28-2014, 08:58 PM

You could charge admission to let people see it.

fullmonti · #4 04-28-2014, 09:34 PM

Thanks!

We live out in the sticks so mostly it's just me and the wife that get to enjoy it. But we really do.

RosieC · #5 04-29-2014, 08:29 AM

Wow, fantastic!

Ro3bert · #6 04-29-2014, 09:17 PM

Fullmonti

Love the color distribution,

hope mine will be as good.

Robert

isurus79 · #7 05-03-2014, 08:29 AM

That's a stunning display! How are you fertilizing?

fullmonti · #8 05-03-2014, 08:49 AM

At the risk of horrifying every one. Please remember this is new & I'm new to this & I've been meaning to ask how I should be fertilizing. But I had some liquid house plant fertilizer, so I'v just been straying that on all the plants once a week.

So how bad is that? Every thing has been growing & seems happy so it has been easy to forget to ask what would be best.

isurus79 · #9 05-03-2014, 08:54 AM

Wow, I just skimmed through that Dendroboard build thread.....and then I went through the temperate reef build thread! lol You do some great looking work!

Have you added any fish beyond the neon tetras yet? Are any of your submerged plants going to grow above the water surface?

---------- Post added at 07:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonti

At the risk of horrifying every one. Please remember this is new & I'm new to this & I've been meaning to ask how I should be fertilizing. But I had some liquid house plant fertilizer, so I'v just been straying that on all the plants once a week.

So how bad is that? Every thing has been growing & seems happy so it has been easy to forget to ask what would be best.

The house fertilizer is actually not as bad as people claim. Old school plant fertilizer used to be too strong for orchids, but its been toned down and many people use it with great success.

I was asking about fertilizing because I assume you wont be able to use it when the frogs are in? Won't they react negatively? And I can imagine the aquatic part of the display would be covered in algae pretty quickly. FYI- In addition to the live bearers, you could also employ Otocinclus to keep hair algae at bay.

fullmonti · #10 05-03-2014, 10:02 AM

Thanks I'm kinda of a freak about tanks

I've been carefully spraying just the roots of the orchids & plants with the fertilizer so it wouldn't get all over & in the water. Most if not all frog tanks a loaded with plants & orchids, so don't think fertilizer is a big problem but was planning on asking about that too.

Yes some of the aquatic plants will grow out of the water & the dwarf peace lilies are out of water but their roots are in the water. Love that crossover.

No new fish yet, lot of expenses lately. Yes Otos are on the short list of next fish.

I like this kind of tank better than any I've had or seen. Many years ago I grew bonsia trees & have always been good with plants & fish. This incorporates everything in one place. It does make for a very complicated build though. Water flow & filtration, air movement system, bunch of lighting for plants & UV for lizards & misting/humidity system. You do get a piece of rainforest in your living room though!

Jim