Paludarium is a mini-corner of nature that combines a greenhouse, an aquarium and a terrarium. This room contains various representatives of flora and fauna. For their full-fledged existence, special conditions of detention are necessary, under which there will be high humidity and high air temperature. In an artificially created tropical climate, you can observe aquatic and semi-aquatic fauna, as well as admire unusual aquatic and coastal plants. A paludarium at home is an excellent way to enrich indoor air with oxygen and maintain the required humidity level.
How to make a paludarium with your own hands
Seat selection
The location of the container with plants should not be illuminated by direct sunlight, since under such lighting, blue-green algae multiply. Also, sunlight adversely affects the development of plants and their full growth.
Sizing
The size of the paludarium depends on the purpose of its formation and on the possibilities of the room in which it will be located. A small vessel with plants can also become a wonderful decoration, but nevertheless, on a large area, they will feel much more favorable. The larger the object under construction, the better conditions can be created for representatives of flora and fauna.
Arrangement of capacity
The arrangement begins with laying the soil layer on the bottom of the container. For vegetation grown in the paludarium, peat-based potting mixes are most suitable. It is recommended to place the substrate in the form of natural soil layers (in several tiers) if it is supposed to plant the plants as if on shelves. Another option is also possible. The ground layer can be inclined from the back to the front. The thickness of the layer at the nearby wall should be approximately 7-8 cm.
Plants and animals for paludarium
For planting vegetation in the underwater part of the container or vessel, it is recommended to use those that take root well and grow in height, rising above the water surface (for example, anubias or echinodorus). When growing plants in pots, they can be decorated with various elements. It can be an acacia branch or a pretty driftwood, as well as ordinary stones of various sizes and shapes. A jungle resemblance can be achieved by planting epiphytic evergreen bushes (for example, tillandsia). This will require sphagnum and a small dry branch to which the bush is attached.
The use of frogs, lizards, various fish species and other fauna in the paludarium requires special conditions and an individual approach.
Planting plants and decor elements
Plants can be planted in the soil layer, but for easier maintenance it is better to use small plastic or ceramic containers for planting. Flower pots made from these materials are great for all types of plants and look great.As decorative elements for the paludarium, you can use ceramic or wood products, which are placed in any part of the structure. The underwater part can be decorated with a mangrove tree purchased from a flower shop, and the surface part with epiphytes or tree branches (for example, acacia).
Heating and humidification
When using additional heating of the root part of plants with the help of an aquarium thermostat, it is possible to achieve favorable conditions for the full development of representatives of the flora. The ideal temperature range is from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Regular spraying of emerging plants (at least twice a week) will help maintain a constant temperature.
Top dressing
If there are representatives of the fauna in the paludarium, fertilizer for the leaf part must be applied very carefully and using only its weak concentration.
Lighting
The light source for paludarium and its representatives can be special lighting fixtures for plants or fluorescent lamps. It is recommended to place them on the outside of the container. Lighting that corresponds to the volume of the structure will be complete. In order to illuminate a container with a volume of one liter, it will take about 0.5 watts.
