300 GALLON MONSTER PALUDARIUM HARDSCAPE TUTORIAL!

4th installment of this series dedicated for, how to build a naturalistic Background and Hardscape in a 300 gallon paludarium for frogs, toads, and fish. This Hardscape has multiple types of water features, and techniques for building an interesting background.
Instagram: ooFROGa_hisTROYonica
Channel covers, POISON DART FROG CARE, HOW TO BUILD CUSTOM BIOACTIVE VIVARIUM, PALUDARIUM, EUROSTYLE ,TERRARIUM, TROPICAL PLANTS, DIY, ANIMAL/REPTILE ROOM TOUR, BREEDING/EGG TADPOLE CARE DENDROBATES, OOPHAGA, HISTRIONICA, PUMILIO, SYLVATICA, LEHMANNI, TINCTORIUS, AZUREUS, LEUCOMELAS, AURATUS, CULTURING ISOPODS, SPRINGTAILS MICROFAUNA, BREEDING FRUITFLYS
The Ghostwood for this build was Purchased from
-Glassboxtropicals.com

[@gabrielookami8774]

Freaking amazing, can't wait to see the planting, water running, etc !

[@KO-qb7ef]

9th

[@brittneymcglynn5474]

The people who thumbs down your video are just jealous 😂😂like the skill you have is insane !!!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Aww thank you! I’m sure there are many hobbyists who just simply dislike me, I’m surprised I do t get more dislikes actually.... I just ignore them as much as possible

[@14.ghoullz]

I don't see any dislikes

[@TroyGoldberg]

KZbin has taken away dislikes I believe

[@14.ghoullz]

@@TroyGoldberg ik lol I was just joking. I love your videos BTW.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Haha thanks!!

[@ketaminewarrior]

The cotton and superglue method is a game changer. I expect to see it in a lot of future projects made by others. Such a good series. Keep it up my guy.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!

[@PhantomMemory0]

Agreed!

[@NorthernFrogger]

Yeah that is genius! I'm sure I'll be using that method in the future 👌

[@budman8926]

Been used for years in the aquarium trade. People use this for rocks and coral pretty common in scaping. Can also use normal tissue paper does the same thing.

[@arvopelaa]

I dont understand what kind of people would dislike this video. Great job!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hah thanks!

[@martinmikota2740]

That wood work is amazing!

[@MikeTytula]

Troy once again smashing the builds! Solid video and even better tank

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks big homie!!

[@ArcaneAxolotl]

I love it, super excited to see the planting and the frogs exploring it!

[@sarahwinans8415]

Truly a work of art

[@lizzw4216]

This looked so good! Loved it. Can’t wait to see how it’ll look all together!

[@erikm8372]

This is kind of everything right now. Thank you so much!!

[@BeachesScalyBeasts]

As always, killer video and love the edit. Kudos to you Troy!

[@twincreekprecision8727]

That is amazing. Looking forward to seeing more progress. Congrats on the beautiful setup so far.

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

That wood looks amazing. I wish terrarium woods weren't so expensive.

[@Anonymus-mt3dw]

This just looks sick. Very cool project, I’m hyped to the final result 😁

[@The_Ampd_Phibian]

Watched this a couple times now... amazing build! The time and the planning and the patience is on point!

[@abdool1972]

This video is a treasure trove of great information! So inspiring having seen the finished product first.

[@jeffreyjenkins6290]

Gorgeous scape, and I love the tip with the super glue and cotton. Thank you so much creating these videos! Your channel is a huge inspiration.

[@The_Bread_Mafia]

Finally what I’ve been waiting for

[@kingkavane8387]

I envy your skill, this is amazing

[@AZSLAPPY]

Nice work bro! Always taking it to another level.

[@jamesdungey7431]

I found your channel yesterday looking for ideas for my new 90x90x45 so glad I found it this is a beautiful build already can't wait to see it finished well worth a sub and a like :)

[@dmedford5]

That orange 240 at 20:40! This tank is gonna be amazing! Hardscape is already beautiful!

[@bssknox1]

Looking great! Nice tip with the super glue and cotton balls...definitely going to try that out!

[@irjoes]

Great tutorial, thanks so much

[@rontronnesjr]

AMAZING BUILD!!! It's obvious you have an artistic touch. Thanks for the tip on applying the drylock, using both light and dark at the same time instead of a blanket coat, and then trying to get the highlights right. Knowing I can go back and touch up but doing it all at once seems intelligent. Oh and the tip on rinsing the drylock. Haven't seen anyone ride mention that, thanks. Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

[@GreenTank]

Wow 🤩 next time I will build this kind of nature

[@headfangs]

I've never seen the wire brush method of carving great stuff like that, wow it looks great even after one pass!

[@veronicadamelio5043]

The ghostwood is gorgeous! I really want to do a scape with it at some point. Love the detail it has. Also, hi Max!

[@Jacksonmontyart]

It’s going to be a great one

[@alexandrelantaires2245]

Amazing !

[@baraka7004]

Those frogs are cool

[@DRspeed-qg7oq]

That's a wonderful video I'm amazed!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you!

[@starofeden9277]

man your video quality is superb

[@n8gnarlyanimalcollection782]

Looks great brotha I gotta come see once you have it set up and running

[@shan3232]

I'm glad I found your channel.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Me too!

[@michaelmelo8075]

Once again Troy you did an amazing build !!! I have been doing a couple of builds and you have given me great ideas thanks for your inspiration even Tanner at Serpa gave you a shout out I loved it

[@BigShrimpin416]

22 cans of foam??! Wow!! Came out amazing!

[@LoreannsCreations]

Love it, you are so talented!! I’m working on making my dragons some cool hides and some huge rock features, it’s so fun to do, I really want to do something like this eventually!!! Awesome you paint, I do as well, lots of nature!! But as always such an amazing build!!!!

[@id.unknown1283]

You need to have a play list for doing the scaping as you're how to videos are very helpful and it be nice to have them as a reference as I'm about to start my first terrarium this weekend.

[@jaesang641]

12:41 sooo cute 😌 Cutest boy l’m so jelly that you can see amazing vivariums all day!!🤩

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!!

[@ormsonaquariumdesign3587]

Believe it or not, toilet paper with the liquid superglue is actually what we use on our bigger projects. It seems like a much stronger bond than the cotton. Also a good want to hide the white of the cotton or tp is to sprinkle it with sawdust and then drip the superglue back over it. But the viv looks insanely good. Love this layout and the way the waterfalls are plumbed. Amazing Work

[@bradleycomics]

All the animals here are living in paradise

[@gagnydiallo4838]

Been waiting!!!!

[@ssryder1390]

Absolutely awesome....again! I haven’t seen a bad or even slightly sketchy build yet. I wish you were into boa’s. I’d love to see you do a build for an Emerald tree boa with a stream. Just a thought😉. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@crocodileandy8843]

Nice nice nice 👍👍👍

[@enteryourvids]

Hey mate! Learned cool stuff for my actual Projekt. It’s taking and giving ;) when you want to smooth silicone lines, dip your finger in a mixture of water and a lot of dish soap. Enjoy your day! TJ

[@PhantomMemory0]

I saw you inspired Serpa Design with your wire brush and drylok/concrete techniques! Keep up the incredible work!

[@Pr0j3ctSTI]

As always, looks amazing. Can’t wait to see the finished product. I actually just finished my paludarium. It’s nowhere near 300g but I love my little tank 😅

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks!

[@hansvanhorenbeke3829]

Great work Troy, love your builds and tips. I'm about to make my first paludarium for Nataliae's Mountain Horned Dragons and found your channel in my research a while ago and a big fan since... I have a question about the filter foam and the bacteria you mentioned. Did it also happen in the tank where you only had filter foam and then the moss directly on it or only in the ones where you used filter foam + substrate? Did you put the filter foam in this tank again from the bottom up or are they on top of an eggcrate structure as well? Would you advise me to use filter foam + moss directly on top or use of a substrate in between?

[@klimekwolf6606]

Yeaaaah Finally

[@Josh40996]

I don't know how you don't have more subscribers.

[@TroyGoldberg]

I’m old and not hip like these youngsters that fit KZbin’s algorithm

[@LuckyCoinFrog]

Any tips on how to make a very shallow enclosure look deeper? I am getting ready for my own build in an old china cabinet but it is very thin compared to your builds.

[@appletango1459]

Great build, what did you use to fill the land section in with?

[@kristyc1046]

So far it looks awesome. Thank you for your videos, I just finished a Euro-style tank, it's heavier than I anticipated. Also serpa gave you a shout out in his last video, don't know if you knew that or him just an FYI. Looking forward for more videos from you.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thanks yeah I thanked him the other day, he and I chat every once in a while

[@guillaumeperez1025]

This Paludarium Background is really amazing ! Wich components did you use for the paint you use ?

[@BRZZ-xw4hd]

wow thats incredible .whats it like to have talent ...peace out

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hahah thanks!

[@SilkMilkJilk]

so this will be your 'beast'? ;-) think the dimensions fit, I like it. Can't wait for the planting. Did some additions and general cleaning inside my own aswell^^

[@debbiethomas3687]

Great build, and really interesting to see the use of the cotton wool and Superglue and the Drylok - so much better than having to cover everything with silicone and coir. You have a really good voice, which is great for me because my increasingly poor hearing was able to catch everything you said without difficulty. You sound, to me, like Brad (of Brad's Greenhouse) and your presentation is as good as Brad's and Tanner's (Serpa Design). Briliant!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Thank you!!

[@SNIPEzZ2020]

holy sh*t now thats a tank!

[@christiandickenson8144]

nice frog biuld i just started one my self but not as good as that

[@GeoffBarrettmindmatter]

Ok, so I took the plunge, bought my Great Stuff Pond & Stone and started landscaping a paludarium using your tips and throwing in a few of my own. I'm basically an aquarium dude, so this will be my first foray into a mixed tank. I will make sure to make it BIOACTIVE, because that the big fancy brand new thing to do. I have to admit that as I go, I keep making the water part larger, betraying my prejudice. One question: Do you know if the Drylock/Quikrete color combo is save for fish? Guess I'll find out. Anyway, thanks for all the information. You make it look a lot easier than what it actually is (at least at first) and your tanks look great.

[@lucasfuller2698]

Hey Troy do you think it’s to big of a step for me getting bastimentos, I have a pair of D,tinctorius nominat reproducing and a pair of tumucumaque still to young, I was thinking on getting a pair of bastimentos but didn’t know if it was a bit to difficult for the experience I have. Couple of questions what temperature do you keep them at? And what humidity do you have? Thanks.

[@frasermartin7692]

Hi Troy, noted the use of egg crate and looked at your other videos on back ground building. Excluding the cost do you see any disadvantage in siliconing a whole sheet of black egg crate on the back ground and then foaming etc? Purpose to ensure the foam has a good surface to grip onto and also to provide mounting points for timber used in the hard scape process.

[@TroyGoldberg]

I don’t see any disadvantages

[@othernaturenate]

Looks fantastic as is. Love the final look too! I'm going back through the series and gaining a lot of helpful tips. Question, why did you use so many cans of expanding foam instead of a couple sheets of foamboard? Foamboard carves out just as well in my experience and is a lot cheaper than all those cans.

[@TroyGoldberg]

I like the black foam

[@geofftaylor2248]

So is the cotton/superglue just to hold everything in place before you hit it with the foam? Does one need the drill brush to get that effect on the foam or is there a more hack way to do it for someone without tools?

[@alexislowther1362]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@TougeTouring]

Your channel is always such an inspiration with those incredible builds 🤯 I´ve got a question regarding my frogs: I keep 4 Azureus, had them since they were a few months old, they are around 5 Years old by now. I hold them in a 40x20x20inch (European Dimensions) Already had some fertilized eggs but didnt manage to get them through by now. For the last few Weeks they’ve been really fighting when it came to food and now i just found one dead in there😓 Do you have an idea why that happend and why it happend now and not earlier? Im really bummed What should i do, seperate them, feed more/less i really have no idea

[@TroyGoldberg]

Tinctorius females can very aggressive towards each other, if I had to guess, I’d say one of the females killed the other.

[@Nazgul_90]

This looks awesome Troy! Cant wait to see it planted. Between the filter foam, aqua soil and ABG what are you finding is working best for you?

[@TroyGoldberg]

For a wet environment.. filter foam for the win!

[@davidbrown8184]

@@TroyGoldberg What about the Cyano bacteria issue that you mention early on in this video? I’m really interested in a small water feature like you featured where you use the filter foam for substrate and drainage layer.

[@NorthernFrogger]

22 cans of foam omg 😂 The build is looking amazing though!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Hahaha thanks Josh! Yeah man lots and more and lots of foam

[@sdqsdq6274]

dont think water will weaken the glue/cotton , its used in underwater aquascape?

[@davidbrown-55]

Boooooooom

[@user-ro6pk3oi9k]

Where did you purchase the 300 gallon tank from? I've been looking everywhere for an all glass tank to purchase for the Paludarium I'm wanting to build. But all the tanks I'm finding have a huge seam going up the back of the tank. The tank you have is seamless and beautiful!!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Built it myself… there’s a video on my channel of the enclosure build

[@nineleafclover1477]

It's looking great, you did a great job on the background! This has been a really cool build to watch develop. Do you have a plan for accessing the filters and piping for maintenance?

[@TroyGoldberg]

In the sump?

[@nineleafclover1477]

@@TroyGoldberg I guess I was thinking everything behind the foam, but I may re-watch when you installed all of that in case I missed/forgot something since then

[@TroyGoldberg]

There’s a spot i can access the pump for the waterfalls

[@nineleafclover1477]

@@TroyGoldberg Gotcha. Very cool! Thanks for answering. My goal for this year is to build my own enclosure with a water feature and you've definitely been a big inspiration

[@user-gx2dh8by8d]

请问你，这个是丙烯颜料吗？丙烯颜料可以直接涂在泡沫上面？

[@menent]

hi,! tihs is amathing what kind of waterfall pump did you use? looks like they dont need to be underwater Thanks

[@harrytruax5195]

Awesome scape Troy! I noticed you did not do the sides fully, just a design thing? What is your opinion on faux rocks rather than real (heavy) ones - not sure if you plan on using any but just wondering. Thanks! P.S. Really nice to have a KZbinr actually respond to questions.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Eh just what I was feeling for this build, I’ve used fakes ones before and I like them. I might use a couple on the land area

[@csabapeterhorvath6300]

Very nice finish with the drylok. How long do you think until the final part?

[@TroyGoldberg]

I don’t know, I’m not rushing it

[@jeffreygross8288]

You are only doing a single layer of dry lok over the foam these days? You aren't worried about the foam getting saturated?

[@andrewnovetske2256]

Look awesome Troy and great job brother keep up the good work, but man that intro is too long 😂🤣🤣😂🤣 JK, leave it the B-roll is great and thanks for the video.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Lol thanks

[@coreywirth319]

Where do you get the moss you have in your enclosures?

[@brycejohnson5915]

Did you just use egg crate with foam for the top your false bottom as well? I’m in the process of building a paludarium for my Green Tree python. Purchased a paludarium 36x18x36 and pretty disappointed they didn’t come with pre cut holes through the glass with their hefty price tag. If only tetrafauna deluxe came in larger sized glass tanks their builds are the best and most durable I’ve seen straight from a manufacturer with pre cut glass holes, plugs, and adapters included.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes

[@SuperPokeTuber]

i dont have DryLok in my country what is it exactly so I can find similar material? i think its rubber hydro isolation but I'm not sure

[@linbiwei1781]

Can I check with you how many can of spray foam you using for this 300 gallon monster paludarium ?

[@bridgetdyer4442]

The lines for the waterfall system after the Toro head- are they in the spray foam? stuck to the logs? Is the line leading up to the Toro head in the spray foam? The pump for the waterfalls is on the bottom of the tank- electrical goes through a hole in glass. Have you ever had something come loose or crack or leak and have to take out part of the background? Or once it's held in place, it's good to go? The lines for the rain system are also in the foam? Or... are the lines attached to the light diffuser plastic used to scaffold the foam?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Waterfall lines behind the foam, never had crack or leak, rain system lines are outside the tank and they run along the back… out of the sump

[@marksabino4721]

You don't have issues with the great stuff eventually peeling off the wall over time? I had to use some egg crate and silicone as a base for the great stuff to latch on to. Awesome tank, troy!

[@TroyGoldberg]

I have had it happen before… but since doing the silicone bead where the foam meets the glass I’ve had zero issues with that

[@lucasfuller2698]

Hey Troy I just watched the room tour again and realized that you didn’t show the oophaga histriónica redhead, do you still have them or not.

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yeah they’re in my house in the 180 gallon

[@royborgers5272]

Yo troy thumbs up men ,,really like your tanks they all look awesome and so clean ,, But can you tell me what do you think of the SKYLIGHT leds . I know they are tiny ,i want to buy them for my tank ,size is 80 cm high- 60 deep- 80 wide . I want good moss growth on the ground so need good strong light, different types are available can you tel me more please ,,,greetings Roy from the netherlands 😎👊

[@TroyGoldberg]

They’re very very nice

[@alexisgeorgia]

So I read somewhere not to use peat moss in your substrate (I know you're just using it in your waterfall in this video) because it breaks down in six months. Has anyone else experienced this? I kinda just made a tank and had a lil bit of peat mixed in 😅

[@frasermartin1398]

Hi Troy, busy making three tanks at the moment and surprised how heavy the spray foam makes the tanks. Quick question do you silicone the bottom of the spray foam and glass or just the top and sides? Thanks

[@TroyGoldberg]

I’ve shown exactly what I do

[@thelonelyplant9429]

Hey I've got a few questions! So I just made a build this month and it turned out to be great till all the wood slowly ripped off, which is weird since it was finger wood. And I know you don't use much coco fiber for the background but what is the good technique? Thx in advance

[@dmedford5]

Silicon the glass before you foam...the foam doesn't stick the best to bare glass...Or do like troy did in this video and silicon some eggcrate to the glass before you foam.

[@ryanbowser7451]

Love the video, but ? I've never used drylok for sealing it, I'm assuming it's safe for crested gecko's? Doing a build for a couple cages,

[@TroyGoldberg]

Dries inert.

[@ryanbowser7451]

@@TroyGoldberg okay cool, saw this video and thought it would be cool way to do it a different way, but ur right,! best way to do it, thanks again!

[@lucasfuller2698]

Hey Troy I have a question about oophaga pumilio bastimentos any morph: I was wondering if you would consider them on the easy side of the oophaga frogs, on the middle or one of the most difficult. If it’s the last option which oophaga would you recomend that has bright colors and is bold? Thanks and really cool video

[@TroyGoldberg]

Intermediate for sure

[@lucasfuller2698]

@@TroyGoldberg and which one would be easy with nice colors and boldness

[@getoffyoubassandletsfish8565]

My wife would kill me if I used a drill with a brush onthe foam. ☠️ But it looks great 👍🏻 I can’t wait to see what you add to foam

[@lucasfuller2698]

Hey Troy I was wondering what size do you keep your oophaga pumilio bastimentos?

[@TroyGoldberg]

22x17x24

[@sourestmilk]

Could you do a short update/review of the ranarium vitamins? I’ve been thinking about switching to them but can’t find any good reviews.

[@gabrielookami8774]

Also interested in an update about those.

[@TroyGoldberg]

I don’t recommend switching, what o recommend and I think many people got the wrong idea from the video was switching everything over, rather than doing what I did/ do is just add supplements into my regimen.

[@sourestmilk]

@@TroyGoldberg Alright thank you

[@torquess454]

Fan noise? You mean the relaxing, and quiet white noise ? Yea, no prob, besides, critters come before viewers am I right? Shoulda known you had an art background lol nice work bud, can’t wait to see the rest

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yesssss!!

[@SanderCageF95]

Did you cover all the Foam with the colour?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Mostly yes

[@jrbp33]

Does drylok hold up fine if used for a waterfeature?

[@TroyGoldberg]

Yes, it’s actual purpose is to waterproof Basements

[@skycock]

Fleeky bro!

[@TroyGoldberg]

Lol

[@kevincangiano8869]

Did you wash the foam after you carved it?

[@TroyGoldberg]

I wash the background after I’ve dryloked it