Planted Ripariums

hydrophyte · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 08:32 AM

Hi all,

This is my very first post here. Although I do not keep dart frogs I have looked around Dendro Board before and I have always been quite impressed at the levels of scientific knowledge and artistic ability of many DB members.

I have a concept that I have been working on for a few years, planted ripariums. I have heard my model systems compared to dart frog vivariums many times, but they are different in that they do not have dedicated terrestrial areas. The above-water areas are rendered instead with plant foliage: the plants being supported with hanging and floating planter devices. Ripariums would make poor habitats for most reptiles and amphibians, in fact, being more appropriate for keeping fish and other fully aquatic animals.

I include a picture here of a riparium composition that I recently put together in a 20G high aquarium.

Just tonight I stocked this tank with fish. I can provide a plant list if you might be interested.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this. I would be interested in your thoughts about this idea.

Ziggi · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:35 AM

Looks great thanks for sharing!
I have an idea for you

Mossy Tree Frogs!
You could have just the edges of tank for dedicated land using turtle docks or w/e and maybe a large piece of driftwood in the center and that's it.
Mossies will spend most of the day submerged in water and come out at night

Julio · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 12:57 PM

looks great, what kind of foliage do you have on the left side of the tank?

Dean · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 04:23 PM

Looks very clean almost sterile in a good way.

hydrophyte · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 11:37 PM

thanks everybody?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggi

Looks great thanks for sharing!
I have an idea for you

Mossy Tree Frogs!
You could have just the edges of tank for dedicated land using turtle docks or w/e and maybe a large piece of driftwood in the center and that's it.
Mossies will spend most of the day submerged in water and come out at night

it would be neat to try out some terrestrial/amphibious animals, but i am afraid it would be difficult. i don't know how apparent it might be in my photograph, but this display includes a number of fine stem plants. any animal bigger than 1/2 gram would just knock these over.

i have built some somewhat larger displays with more sturdy plants. still, it looks as though that mossy tree frog gets pretty large. i would be concerned about the animal not having any land area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julio

looks great, what kind of foliage do you have on the left side of the tank?

on the left side there is some Spathiphyllum, Lysimacchia and Polygonum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Looks very clean almost sterile in a good way.

that's because i just set it up. the rocks and gravel will develop an fine algae film with time. i wish that i could find good ways of maintaining this very clean appearance, but it does look more natural with some algae on the rock surfaces.

eLisborg · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggi

Looks great thanks for sharing!
I have an idea for you

Mossy Tree Frogs!
You could have just the edges of tank for dedicated land using turtle docks or w/e and maybe a large piece of driftwood in the center and that's it.
Mossies will spend most of the day submerged in water and come out at night

Mossies still need a terrestrial area, and in my experience they absolutely trash most plants. I would hate to see what a group of horny males could do to that enclosure.

Rick · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 12:11 AM

I agree with Otis, stick to the fish if you want to keep it pretty. All of those plants look pretty fragile.

hydrophyte · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 02:23 AM

i agree. the above-water area of these tanks is meant to be primarily for the enjoyment of the plants. i think that they are plenty engaging. i have tried to select plants that have nice flowers or foliage. here is a recent shot of a bloom on one of the selections that i have in there, chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon').

there is quite a lot of underwater space for fish.

harrywitmore · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 01:10 PM

OK, I'll bite, where does the word riparium come from? Looks like most every reference I see to the word is from post that you have made.

Nice tank.

Ziggi · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2009, 03:01 PM

Your right mossies still get quite large and would damage some weak plants for sure.
But you've got great knowledge on how to do a amphibious set up.
Whatever you decide to do with it will be great!
As well as anything else you decide to do, it's obvious you'd do a great job as you've already got expert knowledge on setting up things and plants