Paludarium false bottom. I then cut two pieces of 1″ packing foam to cover the back of the tank. My paludarium has a land section that is a floating island. I’m building my first paludarium and using egg crate covered in window screen as a false bottom. If you know this, then you might have a better perspective and idea on your paludarium build. The false bottom is made out of filter foam and weed cloth (lets air and water through nothing else) it fits snugly compressing about 1/8 inch. i would make the false bottom quite high, so you can have a large amount of water collecting before you need to suck it. It's made of foam and has drainage holes and a false bottom in the island. com/pd/PLASKOLITE-Common-24-in-x-48-in-Actual-23-75-in-x-47-75-in-7-85-sq-ft-Louvered-Ceiling-Light-Panels/3280904Ho I would like to include a water feature with my internal filter, live plants and am also having trouble deciding whether I should completely seperate the land from the h2o with plexiglass or do a false bottom under it. Aug 14, 2025 · One of the best how to make a paludarium tips I can give you is to use a “false bottom. A large part of the aquatic section can consist of a false bottom supporting the land section. I used 2 in my 36”x18” and the punch slots allowed to me put my water feature and waterfall in making almost like a mini paludarium I've seen lots of paludarium videos that use an aquarium filter pad as a bottom layer or false bottom and I'm wondering what the benefits of this are? Obviously it lessens the total weight and the amount of rocks or sand that would be used on the bottom. I know the egg crate is lighter and probably cheaper Lowes Egg Crate Panel: https://www. Is this a DIY background? And can you post another angle of your water feature? It looks like it is trickling down the left side rocks but it doesn't appear that you have a false bottom of any sort. 8K views 12 replies 3 participants last post by Adiantum Apr 14, 2022 Constructing land and water sections The false bottom for the land section was constructed using egg crate light diffuser. It allows me to have a full water section underneath. Some say it's great. The false bottom is a layer of material that separates the two sections and allows for water to drain from the aquatic section into the false bottom, where it is then pumped back into the aquatic Paludarium Build: I have built multiple aquariums and paludariums over the years and thought this would be a good place to do a step by step instructions on what I did. Do I need to replace the clay balls in my false bottom? If so, how frequently? Build up land areas with driftwood and larger rocks. Note: There are so many different things that can be used during construction to make this work. Any number of other frogs or toads may be maintained in the paludarium, barring those species that seem to be poor swimmers. We go over plants, animals, and more! When you’re building your paludarium, it should be much easier with the kit. List the many types & how to make. Submersible Pump: 40-90 GPH (adjustable flow is mandatory). Your paludarium can have both land, waterfalls, ponds, and many more. You create a raised land platform using egg crate (a plastic grid), PVC pipes for support, and a weed-blocking fabric on top. It's recommended to keep false bottoms, leca clay balls, lava rocks, coarse filter foam etc on the bottom - this is to aid water circulation and avoid stagnant water. But why? This article will provide an indepth explanation to false bottoms. Using egg crate (plastic lighting diffuser) supported by PVC pipe segments, I create a platform that sits above the water level. Some false bottom materials are heavy while others are light, other materials look more natural than others and while other materials such as egg crates can help you build areas of high ground in the terrarium What is a False Bottom in a Terrarium? You may have heard the term “false bottom” being used when talking Building the Land Area: The False Bottom Method One of the best how to make a paludarium tips I can give you is to use a “false bottom. Generally, it’s going to depend on how much you want to utilize the water section in terms of plant life. If you don't angle the rocks well the soil will stay forever soaked, so in one of mine I added a second shelf onto the first one with zip ties so that I could get a drier peice of land. I have it in my false bottom which is the clay hydro balls the outlet is connected to a hose with a small filter sponge on it slow flow and stuffed into a cork round that pours into the water feature the water still flows through the entire bottom tho. com/pd/PLASKOLITE-Common-24-in-x-48-in-Actual-23-75-in-x-47-75-in-7-85-sq-ft-Louvered-Ceiling-Light-Panels/3280904Ho Posted by u/pinkpuppydogstuffy - 11 votes and 5 comments It allows for circulation. It prevents the soil from becoming a waterlogged, anaerobic mess. So I've watched some builds by Dr. False bottoms raise the substrate above the bottom of an enclosure using a perforated material through which water can flow. Suppose you’re building a rainforest biome and just want to use the water section as an empty pool for your amphibians to chill out. What is a false bottom A drainage layer or false bottom is the layer at the foundation of your terrarium where water can drain away from substrate. What is the point of a false bottom to separate the terrestrial area substrate from the water? If you just use an aqua soil type substrate blend then it seems pointless other than to save you some substrate/weight. Among the aquarist community paludariums are swiftly building a rabid fan base. The false bottom can also accommodate and hide the aquatic appliances. I have a 75 gallon tank I'd like to turn into a paludarium. I wouldn't have to worry about them if they decide to swim under the false bottom as they seem to do that naturally. Paludarium partition issue, false bottom, LECA, etc Jump to Latest 13K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by flyingSquirrel Sep 12, 2011 flyingSquirrel Discussion starter Choosing the right false bottom for a terrarium or paludarium is vital. The fish and shrimp live in the water that goes across the whole bottom of the tank, part cave abs part open. Should I still silicone it or should I just hot glue it to keep it from sliding? All of mine have stacked rock waterfalls. I just set up my first tank, I seen in a serpa build about separate land and water sections, I don't have much area to work with, so felt if I did a fully permeable false bottom with sponge pad, I'd have to compensate with the land and make it very steep, which I don't have the depth to do. Back corner filter/pump location in egg crate box with some sort of top (sandstone slab, lid, etc) Reply Harpspiel • Additional comment actions The false bottom is only fore the land area, i construct the pound in styrofoam and cement, too secure the water/cement i have something called tapcrete that many zoo use in their tanks. This is important because there will be a false bottom in this tank and you want all water to drain out this hole before it reaches the substrate. In short, the filter foam method acts as the substrate and the false bottom. That’s why I recommend leca clay balls Oct 24, 2014 · However, there is no purpose in having a false bottom unless you are moving the water from the bottom back into the main water area. Some false bottom materials are heavy while others are light, other materials look more natural than others and while other materials such as egg crates can help you build areas of high ground in the terrarium What is a False Bottom in a Terrarium? You may have heard the term “false bottom” being used when talking Drainage layers are vital to a vivarium. Sand isn't always ideal but works because it doesn't rot or wick water in the same way as soil or similar plant based materials. 7. Make sure they’re non-uniformin shape, so they leave plenty of space for water between them. Tubing: 1/2″ or 3/8″ ID vinyl tubing (match pump outlet). lowes. My water feature is going to go across the front and the right side but I’m unsure how to hide the sides from the front in a natural looking way that also allows water to flow through it. I've done a ton of research about false bottoms and I know they are meant to keep my "land area" from sitting in the water. This technique will help you create a stable base for your water feature. Edit: See my 6 month update here! • 54 gal paludarium, 6 month update more ONe of the best things to do, if the frogs will actually use water and land, it make a false bottom, that instead of blocking off underneath the substrate, is high enough (about 1" above the water level) so that the frogs can use the water underneath the false bottom and have land area. T… Looking how to setup a Paludarium Tank? Check out our complete guide all about how to set one up properly. Fishes The selection of fishes that will take advantage of the land area is extremely limited. As far as the fertilizer goes I remove all soil from the plants and let it soak in dechlorinated water for a few hours before planting. 6. Joe Sullivan, Husbandry Specialist for theTurtleRoom, shares footage detailing the first step in his exciting new vivarium build. Stay tuned for more update Lowes Egg Crate Panel: https://www. Share your secrets! Learn how to create a false bottom for your water feature using foam, hydroton clay balls, or egg crate. This build will be a paludarium so i guess my question is what are the differences between the egg crate bottom and Clay pebble bottom. Plants and others that use a permanently installed foam divider between the main water area and the false bottom. Really beneficial if you have big tanks and want to reduce weight or if you have a smaller viv, as it can help save space. So this requires a filter or pump to move the water in the paludarium. Sealer: Aquarium-safe silicone (GE Silicone 1 or specialized aquatic sealant). Raises the land up and allows proper drainage. I placed the ReptoFilter waterfall on the left-hand side of the tank and ran the power cord up the corner. It's a matter of preference The water doesn't drain the way you think it does Small particles of soil create cohesive bonds (even with hydrophobic materials). Sometimes when I clean the tank they will dive into the water and hide under the false bottom. Suggestions for stocking? (12x24x18, bottom 1/3 water but half is covered by the false bottom, waterfall feature on the left) Build up land areas with driftwood and larger rocks. Being lightweight helps! As you don’t want to crack the glass. My land is supported by a column around the reptifilter, and attached to the back/side, but not too the bottom. I was reading about making false bottoms using egg crates, which I plan on doingbut my question iswhat do I do with the water that comes through the bottom. My question is, how does this not get clogged up over time? Description: Tutorial for building paludarium with waterfall and 3 week progress update video. The water part of the paludarium houses all the necessary aquatic equipment: filters, pumps and water heaters. This creates a lightweight land area with a large water volume hidden beneath it—perfect for housing filters and heaters! H3: Hardscape: The Bones of Fish are stuck in my false bottom : r/paludarium r/paludarium Current search is within r/paludarium Remove r/paludarium filter and expand search to all of Reddit Standard idea: raised egg crate false bottom lined with felt. Paludarium is like a miniature rainforest: A great comparison to a paludarium is a rainforest. The false bottom technique revolutionized my paludarium success rate. The false bottom is a layer of material that separates the two sections and allows for water to drain from the aquatic section into the false bottom, where it is then pumped back into the aquatic I am planning a paludarium build with a mainland section and an island section. Shrimp behind paludarium false bottom paludarium shrimp shrimp trap Jump to Latest 2. I've seen lots of paludarium videos that use an aquarium filter pad as a bottom layer or false bottom and I'm wondering what the benefits of this are? Obviously it lessens the total weight and the amount of rocks or sand that would be used on the bottom. Ideally you would quarantine in new soil for a month or so. The paludarium offers the aquarist an excellent opportunity to witness the complete metamorphosis of these amphibians. . Feb 19, 2021 · Not only are the tads of some species cannibalistic (indeed, some have evolved to be so), but making water features safe for frogs (screening pumps, separating from false bottom/other hidden areas) is a challenge that I personally have failed at and killed frogs doing. A false bottom paludarium is a type of vivarium that typically consists of two main sections – an upper dry land area, and a lower aquatic section. Also what should I consider when planning a filter. Constructing land and water sections The false bottom for the land section was constructed using egg crate light diffuser. -John 40B Community Journal Save Share Reply Quote Like vespers_ 618 posts · Joined 2011 #4 ·Jul 7, 2011 it won't drain out out of the tank completely, but it'll collect in the bottom so it won't waterlog your substrate. Skeleton: Expanding foam (pond grade) or lava rock structure. I am worried that the false bottom will just make the tank get dirty faster, even with a substrate divider. ” This creates a lightweight, elevated land area with a void underneath for water. And here is the vivarium sitting on the stand in my basement tv area where it will eventually reside: So im thinking of creating a build come spring time and I would like to create an egg crate false bottom. A false bottom is yet another way to prevent the substrate in a terrarium from becoming fully saturated with water. I'm not sure what role the false bottom plays in the "water area" though. After 2 years it doesn't seem to be drooping any more than day 2. As the foundation of your terrarium, you’ll need to choose a material that’s strong enough to resist compaction and support the terrarium layersabove them. False Bottom: Egg crate (light diffuser) or PVC pipe to house the pump. ONe of the best things to do, if the frogs will actually use water and land, it make a false bottom, that instead of blocking off underneath the substrate, is high enough (about 1" above the water level) so that the frogs can use the water underneath the false bottom and have land area. A fully functioning paludarium will provide a constant source of clean water, which is imperative to keep (semi-)aquatic species. I finally remade the ancient ruins paludarium and rehomed my vampire crabs (in one enclosure). To answer the first part I setup a false bottom with egg crate light diffuser. Find out why, and how you can build one for yourself!. Why Do you need one? You don't. Maybe a false bottom for a larger land area with ABG for isopods? Use features to hide inputs/outputs for - Canister filter? How do you filter this thing? What kind of lighting is best/most efficient? A lot of people seem to use Great Stuff Foam to sculpt features. I have seen successful examples of this but I am wondering how the water's health is maintained for such a small feature. Paludarium Substrate / Soil Options I see a few ways to approach choosing a paludarium substrate. 55 Gallon long from Petco, eggcrate false bottom with hidden access to the heater and waterfall pump, black diamond blasting grit, topped with sphagnum moss and coconut fiber, featuring a waterfall to river run. My thought was to construct an open false bottom and have the land portion slope to the pond and position some slate rocks as a convenient entry ledge for the frogs. The overflow drain hole starts at 1-5/8 from the glass. Paludarium Virgin: Lets talk false bottoms, water to land construction beginner diy false bottom paludarium waterfall help Jump to Latest 11K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by DTWGulo Feb 19, 2021 Choosing the right false bottom for a terrarium or paludarium is vital. Cut the egg crate to the shape of your desired landmass. * False Bottom: This is an advanced but highly effective method. pquy, n7ff1c, hyv3jk, esjh, g3ahtk, qtnatg, 1u7m0, bh7hw, cfftb7, ykjvs,