Paludarium from Aquarium

[Sasha T]

I have a "spare" 10x29x14 rimmed aquarium that I got for free from someone, and my question is this:

On a scale of 1-10, how bad of an idea would be to use it as a tropical paludarium? (like this one

)

The plan currently is to turn it so it stands 29" tall, silicone a piece of glass to the underside of the plastic rim (or pop the rim off entirely) and use it with 8" of water in the bottom (roughly 5.8 gallons) and do some foam carving for a full back panel. I'd probably end up making a roll-up screen cover anchored with magnets, or an acrylic swinging "door".

Based on my relative success making my sump and macro tank, I feel like it shouldn't be an issue setting this up, but I'd welcome feedback/opinions.

 

[TORX]

This is pretty bad ass actually.

 

[Sasha T]

Woo! Progress! I really wish I had not used the pond sealant for the texture, would have better to hack some styrofoam packing apart and stack it, then foam just the pots, but live and learn.

Got a mister, light, temp/humidity probes and filter for a great deal on Kijiji, Now need some flagstone pieces to do the rockwork, silicone the flood panel, cut the door, and I'm set for a wet test. Debating whether I should use glass or acrylic for the door. Glass is a b**** to cut and heavy, acrylic is light but prone to bending. But if I use acrylic, I have a couple neodymium magnets that I can use to mount the door panel, which would be very slick.

 

[Sasha T]

All set. Starting to add plants. I checked around at Southwest Pets and Pet Paradise, and both are able to get vampire crabs and the smaller geckos. I haven't found anyone selling bromeliads, though.

** I have a piece of driftwood that I'll use to cover the blue foam on the bottom, and later on maybe add in sand. Quite happy with how the flagstone turned out though, and you can't really tell, but the last picture shows the water line right between the java moss and the stonework.

 

[Sasha T]

Aaaand done, critter ready (and on order). I want to find some bromeliads or similar, but I can roll with what I have.

Now that I have my "proof of concept" complete and for all appearances successful... I REALLY WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER ONE! But BIG(ger). 36" tall, 24" wide, 18" deep big, lol. I'd probably be happy replacing part of one of my walls.

 

[Sasha T]

Baby vampire crabs.

 

[Sasha T]

They're not babies anymore

They are very "nocturnal only", and my headlamp+phone camera skills suck, so getting a good picture is difficult. Still fun watching and taking care of them though.