Creating a Stunning Paludarium in an Aquarium Sphere

Creating a paludarium with moss and fittonia is an exciting and rewarding project. Follow these steps to make your own paludarium:
1. Select a suitable container: Choose an aquarium or glass container that is spacious enough to accommodate your plants and allows for a water feature. The size of the container will depend on your available space and personal preference.
2. Create a water source, such as a shallow pond or stream, in one section of the paludarium. You can also add rocks, driftwood, or decorative elements to enhance the natural aesthetic.
3. Add a drainage layer: Place a layer of gravel or small rocks at the bottom of the paludarium. This will help with water drainage and prevent waterlogging, which can be harmful to the plants.
4. Create the planting substrate: Use a mixture of well-draining soil and sphagnum moss to create a suitable planting substrate for your plants. This will provide them with the necessary nutrients and moisture retention.
5. Select and arrange the plants: Choose a variety of moss species, such as sheet moss or java moss, as they thrive in the moist environment of a paludarium. Fittonia, with its vibrant foliage, is an excellent choice for adding color and texture. Arrange the plants in a visually pleasing manner, considering their growth habits and height.
6. Maintain the right humidity and lighting: Paludariums require high humidity levels to support the growth of moss and fittonia. Mist the plants regularly to maintain humidity, and consider using a hygrometer to monitor the levels. Provide adequate lighting for the plants, considering their specific requirements. LED grow lights or natural sunlight filtered through a window can be suitable options.
7. Monitor and adjust water levels: Keep an eye on the water level in the paludarium, ensuring it doesn't become stagnant or overly deep. Adjust the water levels as needed to maintain the desired balance between the aquatic and terrestrial areas.
8. Regular maintenance: Trim and prune the plants as they grow to maintain their shape and prevent overcrowding. Monitor the water quality and perform regular water changes to keep it clean and free from algae.
Remember to research the specific care requirements of your chosen plants to provide them with the ideal conditions for growth and health. Enjoy watching your paludarium transform into a miniature aquatic and terrestrial paradise with the beauty of moss and fittonia.

[@dgsterrariums]

What do you think about this terrarium design? 😁

[@DiJej23]

And what is this terrarium? Crab?

[@Godzillasaurus-ze5nf]

Great!

[@fotinit8160]

amazing and at such small scale!! isn't the lack of water flow an issue? are frequent water changes necessary to prevent stagnation? I'm interested in building one myself and I think sth like this may help me get some experience before moving on to something bigger

[@dgsterrariums]

So far there are no problems with the water. You can boil water or use distilled water. In this way, the chance of something starting to grow in water is reduced. Also, water evaporates over time, so it is necessary to add new, fresh water on a monthly basis. You should definitely try it in a smaller vessel first and see how the system behaves, and only then move on to larger projects. I wish you good luck!

[@MuhammadBhyat-pz8ft]

I always wanted to make this but can't find moss anywhere

[@dgsterrariums]

I'm sorry to hear that. Where are you from?

[@MuhammadBhyat-pz8ft]

South Africa but I can't find were I stay

[@dgsterrariums]

Oh, that's too far. I thought I might help you by sending it to you 😔

[@MuhammadBhyat-pz8ft]

Oh were you from

[@dgsterrariums]

Republic of Serbia

[@ablockoYT]

Did you pit springtails to cleam teh area?

[@stevehaqa]

Where can I purchase the bowl with that matching lid cover?

[@hintergamer4409]

If you do it on a bit larger scale do you need any water flow?

[@naOltaruSveteGore]

Супер је. Ја више волим природне акваријуме, без филтера и опреме. Нисам никад имао тераријум. Не знам ни шта бих ставио унутра да живи. Неке бубе?

[@adithyarajp.r7533]

keep doing bro

[@dgsterrariums]

Thank you. I will!

[@rogers9871]

What lives in it?

[@abkaquatics888]

😍😍😍

[@HUN_BSDani]

where have you these stpnes ? i love yoir videos❤

[@dgsterrariums]

I found the stones on a mountain while I was on vacation 😃

[@HUN_BSDani]

​@@dgsterrariumsthank you beutiful❤❤😊

[@theoryworks7759]

What are the best plants for paludariums? And where could I find them in nature?

[@dgsterrariums]

I used Fittonia species, Ficus pumila, Pilea glaucophylla and lots of ferns and moss. Try to find an area with water that is covered in shades. Plants from there would adapt to terrarium conditions for sure.

[@theoryworks7759]

@@dgsterrariums thank you so much, this is my first paludarium build, I’m so excited for this!

[@dgsterrariums]

Good luck and try to enjoy every step of it! 😁

[@cabbagesandcabbages2015]

What kind of water did you use to fill up the pond?

[@dgsterrariums]

I boiled some regular water. It is still going strong 😁

[@herlimobelel]

Can you post an update for this paludarium?

[@dgsterrariums]

This paludarium has been sold. I will ask the buyer to send me a couple of shots so we can see how it has grown.

[@dgsterrariums]

I did post an update! You check it on my channel 😁

[@mitipot4005]

Pretty underrated channel but I am on a KZbin shorts diet so I can’t watch all of your videos

[@dgsterrariums]

Thank you for your comment 😁

[@plantybara]

😊

[@WilliamAftonBG]

hai ! there do u use spring tails for it if No please say so and what type of glue did u use

[@dgsterrariums]

Hey, I did add them after I made this paludarium replica. This glue is used for aquarium designs and it is not toxic for animals and plants. Try to Google it and find it in your country 😃

[@WilliamAftonBG]

oh i see is it nessesary to add spring tails since i live in india we dont get accese to them since india isnt that much humid

[@dgsterrariums]

I bought mine from eBay. Why don't you try to get that way? 😁

[@WilliamAftonBG]

@@dgsterrariums oh we dont have ebay in india only amazon and flip cart and we dont have that many pet shops most people ppl go to abroad to buy good pets

[@WilliamAftonBG]

is spring tails needed???

[@shadowbois1152]

Does it matter if the water leaks to the land area

[@dgsterrariums]

This is not a problem. Water is under the substrate. The substrate absorbs exactly as much water as it can absorb. All this takes place through diffusion, i.e. passive movement of water. For this reason, the substrate is never too wet and the plants can grow without problems.

[@Kaylyn_Vlogs]

THEN WHAT DID U MAKE THE VIDEO FOR

[@dgsterrariums]

I'm just showing how to make a paludarium, but on a smaller scale. An entire channel is dedicated to explaining how to make a terrarium. I guess you could have figured it out yourself.

[@ThayGPrieto]

the paludarium it self is the thing the video was for. some people (a lot of ppl actually) just like keeping cool plant arrangements around

[@Kaylyn_Vlogs]

What fits in here then

[@dgsterrariums]

Personally, I would not add any animal to such a small container.

[@Kaylyn_Vlogs]

Can 2 vampire crabs live in this

[@Kaylyn_Vlogs]

Also can you use gravel instead of sand

[@dgsterrariums]

You need a 40 litre (10 gallon) tank for them 😃 This one is too small.

[@dgsterrariums]

Of course!