Mediterranean Seawater Tank with Paludarium 10/2021

 It's been a while... During the pandemic not many occasions to head to the seas. But things are going on. I had a short episode of combining a sea water tank with a paludarium. A rock overgrown with mosses and tiny plants on top of a marine tank. This was managed with a fresh water reservoir integrated in the marine tank setup on top of which the rock was set and pieces of rope drove freshwater into the planted rock. So far in theory. In reality salt was "crawling" into the freshwater reservoir and salt water sprays harmed the vegetation on the rock. Still an idea that deserves to be realized some day in a better way, because it combines the two most attractive forms of aquariums in one...

Mediterranean Sea Tank - December 2019 update

This month I had a chance to pick up some stock from the Mediterranean Sea. I want to mention especially the sea cucumber. Some people are still afraid to keep sea cucumbers, but I think this is a perfect inhabitant for seawater tanks. Because they are the vacuum cleaners of the sea. Who doesn't dream of an animal that sucks up all the dirty sand, digests the debris and leaves clean sand behind? Of course the sea cucumber as any other animal produces nitrates and phosphates, but those are consumed by bacteria, anemones, soft corals and plants. I'm happy that I found one just coincidentally in the shallow water by a port. Isn't it cute...?

The Seaweed Infusion

This is an interesting method to introduce spores and micro elements to your tank. Just collect dried seaweed from any beach. Of course traces of other organisms are included, too. Keep it cool and dry. From time to time take a tiny portion, add some water from the tank and keep it in a cool and dark place for a day or two. After that add the "infusion" to your tank. New plants and may be other forms of life will show up.

Anyway, it is a way to add some "biology" to your tank, especially if you're far from the sea and can't add very often natural seawater...

Living Driftwood

Another inspiration for a paludarium: A waterfall and a living tree transformed by the river into a living piece of art...

Wild Aquarium

Another wild river, this time covered with leaf litter. The plant is Alisma plantago-aquatica...

Waterfall in the Forest | Wild Paludarium

This is a forestal environment, that inspires me for a paludarium. I love ferns and mosses...

Mountain river | Caddisfly habitat

This is a mountain creek with crystal clear water, as you can see. The ground is covered with big gravel. In this river live caddisfly larvae...