Ok so this is my first ever paludarium and also my first water section, which I've learnt a lot from since I did so much wrong lol. I'm not really worried about the plants, but I am worried about the water itself. So I've come to realization that I wish I didn't use rehydrated coco fibers as aquatic substrate because I think it's what's releasing all those tannins. Also there is a constant bio film covering the surface which I know isn't too harmful but its gross and ugly, I tried a pump but it ground up my first batch of Daphnea :[.
Speaking of Daphnea, after I set up the tank I added Amano Shrimp and Daphnea, first batch of Daphnea died to the pump (oops), but the second batch I added post pump also died?? They did fine before, they even started to increase their population before i added the pump, this time they died within a couple days. And the shrimp, after they were introduced I started to see them less and less, I think they are hiding in caves I don't know about because I've seen 4 of them in a cave up against the glass before. But now I see only one every other day or so. Will they be okay? I did have to watch one die yesterday, I don't know what was wrong with it, it still responded to stimuli for a bit, but it was gone a few hours later, I buried it in the land section (which does currently have a mold problem but that's just from wet soil, the plants up there are fine rn)
pH, temp and water hardness are just as I'd like them (~7 pH, ~72 F°, moderate to hard water)
If I forgot something I'll put it in the comments.
Please let me know your theories or inquiries.
by Beneficial_Topic5616
3 Comments
Does it has a filter installed? Looks mushy.
Daphnia are kinda tough. Filter feeding is inherently challenging in a closed system. Amano shrimp are a bit large for such a small space, so it’s possible they’re stressed and hiding – or dead. I don’t know if you have a filter going, but it sounds like you’re having some cycling issues. Can be very common when starting a new paludarium, cause even a properly separated terrestrial substrate can leech into the water and cause ammonia spikes. Coco fiber, as a non-composted organic material, starts its cycle at the peak of its ammonia production, so that’s kinda a double whammy for a rough first cycle. Give it time, get smaller/simpler crustaceans like neos, scuds, or aquatic isopods, and be patient. Btw, if you add a filter, I recommend panda crabs, this is a great water/land ratio for them.
Honestly i would redo the whole thing bro but im sure if you give it time it will more than likely sort itself out. I would only add more springtails maybe but I definitely wouldnt add any other kind of life to the tank.
Ive only ever made one paludarium but i hate having water with tanins so i opted to go with a thick 4 inch layer of filter sponge and spray foam as the skeleton.