Hello all!

I'm back at it building two new big vivariums (Really a paludarium since they have ponds) for two species of fresh water terrestrial Geosesarma crabs (1 species per tank) and my mini orchids! We were redesigning our living room and I picked up these two tanks on Black Friday for $64 so I could resist being able to afford two new tanks for a new build, and they act as a room barrier/living wall for us to enjoy in our new TV free living room relaxation area! I wanted this to be my most dynamic hardscape design I have done to date and house some favorite fauna and flora!



Then I found a old cedar trunk hiking a couple days later and I had my overarching theme design using the piece below where I would split the trunk between the shared wall and use the trunk to join aesthetically the two tanks where a pond would exist on both sides with hopefully an active water feature/water fall down the trunk and visually and with auditory drip into the water below!

11/28/22:


Then I spent a bunch of time collecting many different hardscape pieces from the woods and faux laying out them very slowly and with no certainty for the next two months:

All my hardscape options I found in the woods: January 2nd:

I also started to saw the trunk in half the same day with saw since my bandsaw broke the same week:

And attempt to figure out how I was going to hardscape it


1/10/23: About a week later I began to instal the trunk, pump box, and water feature barrier...and AHH the design is finally coming together (Seems kinda blurry)


Then by 1/26/23 I was beginning to get ready to start foaming in the hardscape pieces that I had decided on design wise:




And as it sits now a month later today 2/27/23. I paused on the future progress as I needed to make sure I worked out all the kinks with the active water feature and I am still in the works of figuring all that out!




Eventually I will get around to completing this build but I have been being very slow because I want to make sure I am totally satisfied with the build as this will probably be the only, if not one of the only builds I do for awhile since I am running out of new tank space! I hope you all enjoyed seeing this new big project I am in the swing of!

FAntastic! Great pieces of wood, and shaping into a very interesting display!

purpleinopp said: FAntastic! Great pieces of wood, and shaping into a very interesting display!

Thank you!! I can't wait till it's finished whenever that ends up being!

Very interesting tank build showing the different levels and stages follow thru to completion. Great job hiding the pump and wires that's the hardest part.
Each piece combined with the details of the design as it falls into place is characteristic of the design elements used and many techniques implemented evokes the depth of talent in this exhibit.

Very nice addition for the livrm revamp.

I am dying to see the Mini Orchids, how you incorporate them!

Connor - I just found this new thread of yours. Wow, that is a lot of research and work that has gone into your 2 new vivariums/paludariums tanks. You got a great deal on the tanks! The project is looking amazing as of your last post. I hope that you will update us with some new photos! I love what you are doing!

beckygardener said: Connor - I just found this new thread of yours. Wow, that is a lot of research and work that has gone into your 2 new vivariums/paludariums tanks. You got a great deal on the tanks! The project is looking amazing as of your last post. I hope that you will update us with some new photos! I love what you are doing!

Ahh thanks!! Yeah it's been a long very slow process, but…..I actually got a chance to spray the last of the foam on the pond features yesterday and today and will get all the carving done tomorrow and may then start covering the foam with silicone and peat moss tomorrow as well or saturday! Little sneak peak before I begin to finish the background

Smotzer said: Ahh thanks!! Yeah it's been a long very slow process, but…..I actually got a chance to spray the last of the foam on the pond features yesterday and today and will get all the carving done tomorrow and may then start covering the foam with silicone and peat moss tomorrow as well or saturday! Little sneak peak before I begin to finish the background

Looking like a lot of progress has been made. I like your mini presentations. Creative , interesting ideas and educational…

bumplbea said: Looking like a lot of progress has been made. I like your mini presentations. Creative , interesting ideas and educational…

Well thanks! I am glad you feel that way!

I can tell you are trying to get it just right when creating these two paludariums tanks. I get it .... take your time researching and thinking about exactly what layout you want then find the right pieces and decide the best way to install them. It's an art to create this kind of masterpiece.

I truly look forward to photos when you finish this really ambitious project. Pretty darn cool. 🐌

beckygardener said: I can tell you are trying to get it just right when creating these two paludariums tanks. I get it .... take your time researching and thinking about exactly what layout you want then find the right pieces and decide the best way to install them. It's an art to create this kind of masterpiece.

I truly look forward to photos when you finish this really ambitious project. Pretty darn cool. 🐌

Thanks so much! And yes that's been how I've gone about it, there probably going to be the only ones I make all year and are a center piece of our quiet tv-free living room so I have wanted to make sure things are just right! But this finish line is upon me and I am hoping I'll be able to start figuring out where to plant things in the tank next week on my week off!

Connor - I know that what you decide to plant and where it will be perfectly placed. And if not, you can always change it. But you have a gifted eye for overall aesthetics, so I know that these 2 tanks are going to look beautiful! Can't wait to see the final results!

These tanks will be a serene centerpiece to that room. Some relaxing nature music could be the final touch, in my humble opinion.