I'm building this 10 gal paladarium for some vampire crabs, I originally was going to use a mini sponge filter but the one I got is still a little above the water.. I really don't wanna drill holes for a canister filter either, so what should I do?
by RedFox557
6 Comments
Can you get a mini pump to make a waterfall? Let the water flow through some moss/sand to filter it.
You don’t have to use a filter. So long as you can establish a beneficial bacteria colony and have enough plants to keep nitrogen levels low, you’re good. And some snails will help which I see you have at least one of.
I’m not sure you even really need any water flow with such a small concentrated area, but that can easily be achieved without a filter just using a pump and airline tube which takes up virtually no space.
My vampire crab enclosure has a similarly low volume of water in the water section (plus water below the substrate separated by screen over clay balls) but a wider surface area, so I don’t have a filter but needed to move the water around a bit.
So I just use plants and achieve water flow using an external pump with adjustable air flow and run the airline tube from it to the water without anything attached to the end. The end of the tube is weighted and positioned to direct the flow against one of the walls then more evenly distribute the rebounding water flow around. Every few months I have to cut the end of the airline tube off as it gets clogged up.
The plants I used are both aquatic and terrestrial since those planted into the above water substrate have grown roots into the water below the substrate and screen layer. The ratio of plants to water volume they’re all sucking waste out of is so high I dump dead leaf and other plant trimmings from bigger cages into the crab cage water to decompose in and feed the plants (and crabs and snails…)
If you put aquatic plants in it you won’t really need one unless you have crickets dying. They will create an ecosystem that only needs small water changes
A turtle filter could work but they’re bulky. You might be better with water movement rather than filter. What you want to prevent is stagnant water- a tiny bubbler with some plant roots going into the water would be more than enough.
I wouldn’t bother OP plants and water changes will keep it nutrient free.
May I ask what are you using above the gravel and on the walls?