Welcome to Zoo Med Laboratories. My name's Ryan, and today we're going to be
setting up a paludarium using the Zoo Med Paludarium line of products and
accessories. But first, let's talk about what a paludarium is. A paludarium is
a unique habitat that combines both the terrestrial section of a terrarium and
the aquatic section of an aquarium. There are endless possibilities of animals
that you can keep in a paludarium. You can combine fish and aquatic
invertebrates with different amphibians like Tree Frogs, Newts, Salamanders. You
can keep arboreal lizards, and even some snakes. Zoo Med paludariums are
currently available in two sizes. Each include a front vent and rust-free
screen top to help maximize air circulation, cutouts that provide access
for interior electrical devices, and a locking single pane door that provides
an unobstructed view of your habitat. This is the Zoo Med paludarium that
we're going to be setting up today. It is 18 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 36 inches
tall. I'm going to be building this for a Green Tree Python and Neon Rainbow Fish.
This is where the fun begins. In the aquarium, I'm going to be using a
combination of ReptiSand® and Aquatic River Pebbles. Aquascaping with substrates of
varying sizes adds depth to the aquarium and gives it a naturalistic look. For the
decor, I've chosen Zoo Med Spider Wood. It's an intricate, natural wood that can
be used in the terrarium and aquarium portion of the paludarium. I will be
attaching a few different types of aquatic plants to the Spider Wood
at the base I'll be adding Bolbitis, above that a variety of Java Fern, and
then top it off with some Anubias Nana.
Next, we're going to assemble the paludarium platform, which allows you to build
your terrestrial section directly above your nano aquarium. The platform also
includes a removable tray that makes it easy to add substrate, plants, and decor.
I'm using the River Pebbles to draw focus to the piece of Spider Wood and
plants in the center of the aquarium.
Next, we will install the Paludarium Filter and Heater. Filters are essential
for keeping your aquarium clean by hosting beneficial bacteria that break
down your fish's waste. The Paludarium Filter includes three-stage filtration
that has mechanical, chemical, and biological components which are
essential to keeping the aquarium clean and clear. The Zoo Med Paludarium Filter
has an innovative side-hatch design that allows you to easily access the
three-stage filtration without having to remove the filter from the tank. Simply
open up the hatch and pop out the cartridge. Zoo Med Paludarium products
are the first to incorporate a 9-foot cord to accommodate the height of taller
enclosures. Next, we'll install the Zoo Med Paludarium Heater. The Zoo Med Paludarium
Heater is remarkable. It's compact design makes it perfect for a nano
aquarium. It also has a digital readout that allows you to set the exact
temperature you want the water to be and it also tells you what the temperature
of the water is. In the Paludarium Platform tray, I'll be
using ReptiSoil™ as a base to grow some of the plants. I'll also add Frog Moss to
top it off and hide the platform altogether. Now we can start focusing on
the terrestrial portion of the tank by filling in our landscape and adding
plants. I'm using Cork Flats to create the background. By cutting them down to
the width of the enclosure, it will allow me to wedge them into place. I will stuff
moss behind the cork pieces and position plants in between them.
Now I am adding the Spider Wood to the terrarium. The branches of the Spider
Wood will provide a number of perches for the Green Tree Python. I'm using a
variety of plants to break up the background and add a little bit of life
to the enclosure. In certain parts, I've added Creeping Fig which will eventually
vine out and grow over the entire background... at least that's what I hope.
I've also added some air plants throughout and used bromeliad pups in
certain parts of the enclosure.
In the tray, I added pothos which is a plant that seems to do really well in
tropical enclosures.
When pouring water into an aquarium, I try to create a barrier that will
diffuse the water and keep it from disrupting the substrate.
Lastly we will add the lighting. We will be using a combination of full-spectrum
lights, UVB, and heat to create an environment that meets the needs of the
plants and animals. Finally, it's time to add the animals
And the paludarium is complete. So we've reached the end of our paludarium
build. All you need to do is use the information we've provided, get out there
and build your own paludarium. I'm Ryan from Zoo Med. Thanks for watching.