The ULTIMATE Fire-Bellied Toad Paludarium | 17 MONTHS LATER

How is this paludarium doing today? Is this one still alive? Etc, etc. I get questions about this one more than probably any other setup in the animal room. As you can tell from the video it's doing extremely well. To this point I've thoroughly enjoyed it and so do the toads and fish. I know that to be the case since we're seeing breeding activity from both (note: I'll try and record some of that for next time I show the tank).
A few things I forgot to mention in the video: I keep the top of the tank sealed up with a piece of polycarbonate drilled for ventilation holes in the back. This helps keep the tank very humid, which means I never have to mist the setup. Also I had a lot of negative comments about the "chemicals" I used in the build video. Once cured all of them are chemically inert and have no affect on the environment. That should be evident since everything is thriving.
Let me know what you think about the current setup and what you would do moving forward! Part of me wants to redo it and part of me doesn't. I don't want to redo because the animals like it, but I want to redo because I know I could make something that looks betters and functions better for the animals.
Original Build: • The ULTIMATE Fire-Bell...
Adding the Fish: • New Paludarium Fish & ...
Maintenance: • How to Maintain an Awe...
Also Fritz A.C.C.R. was provided with a paid promotion by Fritz Aquatics. This is the water conditioner I've been using for quite awhile now and it's great to finally be sponsored for using it.
fritzaquatics.com/
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, leave them down in the comments! Also for additional content like this, photos of my terrariums, projects sneak peeks and more, follow me on Instagram @SerpaDesign.
/ serpadesign
#paludarium #firebelliedtoads #serpadesign

[@SerpaDesign]

How's it look? 17 months later and it's still going strong! Let me know what you think about the current setup and what you would do moving forward. Part of me wants to redo it and part of me doesn't. I don't want to redo because the animals like it, but I want to redo because I know I could make something that looks betters and functions better for the animals.

[@stirhaven1981]

Hey serpa, what are your plans for the 350 gallon? have any ideas? i'd personally like to see something involving a crayfish colony, they are super fun to watch and they can exist in numbers in such a big tank

[@evilgenius97]

It sounds perfect nothing besides trimmings

[@SerpaDesign]

Yeah I had it planned months before I even got the tank. You're going to have to wait till then though! 😉

[@juneebennett22]

@@SerpaDesign I was wondering, how many babies have grown up from this tank? Any footage of pollywogs? I enjoyed seeing them develop in small ponds near my home in Southern California as a child. Sadly, those ponds are all long gone due to construction.

[@KassandraQuiseng]

Could changing up the tank be considered as enrichment? Like giving them a new place to explore? When I kept hamsters I always made sure to change the setup/layout every few months so they had new things to see or do.

[@kiernanscanlon8965]

I say redo it! It's a great build, but I think I would like to see what you do with your multi waterfall and pooling area idea. Plus, I would like to see a little more variety in plant texture imo. A lot of the plants you have in there have a similar growth type (tall, thin stems). I would love to see some compact growth mixed in!

[@SerpaDesign]

Agreed!

[@Gardenfurnitur]

Kiernan Scanlon nice 👍

[@sophietakach5683]

Seconded. I don’t know that you need multiple seperate waterfalls, but I would love to see what you could do with a winding flow with pooling areas. Plus I think Kiernan is right about the plants, they look too uniform now they have grown in and it would be great to see some of the depth you create in your other builds brought to this setup. (Also first time commenting - found your channel the other day and it’s brilliant!)

[@MDestron2282]

I was going to suggest the exact same thing. It looks like all the animals are loving it but it could use some tinkering.

[@willstruck2975]

I have watched the setup so many times

[@huskysings9536]

Wills Tanks me too haha even before I was subscribed

[@maverickstclare3756]

I'm sure other people have suggested it, but how about live-streaming a tank every now and then so we can just enjoy it in real time (and no editing required :) or sound) EDIT: of course it doesn't even need to be live, just long enough to seem like it :)

[@wearycannibal3879]

Brilliant!

[@mouringaway]

+

[@kendrag.4062]

that would be awesome!

[@JohnLange]

How do you guys have time to watch something like that in live time?!?

[@maverickstclare3756]

@@JohnLange you could ask Tanner: how do you get time to look at the things inside your tanks

[@anujchandkapoor]

After subscribing to your channel, whenever I go out with my wife I always like to spot various types of moss. I have finally emptied my candle grass jar in which I intend to make my very first native terrarium. Thanks for inspiring me. Keep up the great work.

[@naturezone1212]

0:07 hey thats the driftwood you showed us like 3 years ago!

[@SerpaDesign]

Good eye!

[@ciaravanderwoning9950]

Love how it’s grown in! This tank is what inspired me to make a paladarium of my own and I used your waterfall idea, for my fire bellied newt. So glad I did, I love it and how it’s developed over time. It’s something I never thought I’d be able to create and now I can’t wait to make more setups like it in the future. I’d love to see you make another setup for them with the wading areas, so that I can learn from it too for my future builds 😆

[@ant4106]

You’re an artist man. Artist are never 100% pleased with the outcome. This is crazy dope 👌🏾

[@tommie827]

So true!

[@aa1ex]

The plant growth is massive! 🌱🌿 The anubias growing emersed looks great! The bottom tank looks great too, simple but clean! Would love an update for that too *wink* haha! Awesome as always! ❤️

[@Gardenfurnitur]

Alexandra Bautista cool 😎

[@davidf2244]

This toad is so blessed.

[@emilynightingale7758]

i just made my first terrarium today after bingeing your videos for the last couple of days, this channel is extremely cool and I'm really glad i found it. Thanks.

[@oneofmetwo]

I'm building my list of supplies. I want to do this so badly after watching this channel.

[@TheosAmarto]

This tank setup is what brought ne to your channel. I watched it and fell in love with your stuff. You are extremely talented

[@WoTheGreat]

Idk why you’ve given me a new respect for the word Botanicals lmao

[@LastMinuteLaura]

This is such a good video! I love the little candid tangent you go off on at the end, it was a great way to close the video! Also all of your shots are beautiful and your builds are so fun to watch and learn! :) Thank you for making this!

[@ghostdragonzw5241]

LOVED THE TANK....I'm a big Newt /Sal...fire-bellied toad guy...and Actually i keep them all in the same tank...and they do so well together....Working on a bigger tank and using your Vids to help...So thanks for the great channel...and your a hell of a artist with this....love watching your channel..

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

2:26 - I see what you did there. 😀

[@SerpaDesign]

Lol! It did look that way...

[@LearningCurveAcres]

Love your setup. I say, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. Give it time. The frogs and fish will tell you when things need to be changed. Take care my friend - Marcie

[@bananafloat27]

It took me a few years to work up to it but your fire bellied toad videos inspired me to get my own fb toads, which were the first amphibian I fell in love with as a kid...I still can't believe that a creature so beautiful, funny, and peaceful exists!! Anyway now I have two of my own in a lil 10gal and they're sooooooo cute...going to upgrade them asap!!

[@nephrobles9790]

I've been away from your channel for a few months and I am so glad to see that you're now being sponsored because you should definitely be getting paid for the awesome setups and the great content in your videos. Love your work!

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

This is one of my absolute favourite set ups (must have watched that original video about 10 times!) and awesome to see the white clouds and toads living with each other. Breeding is always a sign of a healthy eco system!Thanks for the update it's much appreciated to take the time and effort to show us all this stuff :)

[@artificialecosystems5874]

Hey man, if you’ve got riccia fluitans, plant it in and around the waterfall. It would look so good! Thanks for pumping out vids!

[@jbensen1]

I love the update, it looks beautiful. I've used (stolen) a lot of ideas from you Tanner in making my terrariums and paludarium. Thanks! When I make my backgrounds with expanding foam I place pieces of cork bark, net pots, wood, coco fiber, whatever, then cover it with lots of sand before the foam crusts over. It comes out very much like a rocky cliff. No carving!!

[@mehie]

Tanner! Keep it as is. I loved your build guide and utilized it in making my own paludarium in a 10g. I'm planning on using the same method in a 60 gallon tank I picked up. Your work is very inspiring, love to see the updates. Keep it up.

[@Alicia.Marie.13]

I look forward to your content regardless of what you do. I say do what makes you happy! I'd love to see the vision you have for a new palidarium!

[@greatawakening4773]

Epic update video, my eyes were trying to capture so much. I will definitely be watching this update video a couple of times. Thanks Tanner

[@derekstewart4215]

Awesome working on my second paludarium in a 10 gallon tank thanks to this very tank of yours

[@Mtthyman]

I love your setups! They keep inspiring me to make mine better and your a fountain of knowledge!! Thanks for all that you do. Have a great day.

[@toadpope2522]

It’s looking awesome! I think you’ve refined your craft a lot in the last 12 months especially. I think it would be awesome to see what techniques you would employ to redo this amazing paludarium! I say go for it!

[@cheviot2988]

just finished my first Terrarium thanks to this channel !!

[@whadayameanyaranouttagabbagool]

YESSSS!!!! I was just rewatching (for the fifth time) your original fire-belly toad video. Love these updates & would love to see more animal-related bioactive vivarium builds.

[@barbkrienke8400]

I love it!! It’s great to know that maintenance isn’t too bad on those. I know if you redo this setup it will be spectacular, so I’m going to vote to rescape when you find the time. I really love the idea of more waterfalls and pools. I only have aquariums right now, but one of these days I’m going to try a paludarium thanks to your videos!!

[@allysammy7715]

I think some pops of red in this setup would make it feel more complete! Thanks Tanner for the amazing videos!

[@pollywogapocalypse7432]

i say always listen to your creativity. you are like a mad man building these things. even if you make the perfect scape don't feel bad if you take it down to help perfect your abilities. even if the new isn't as popular as the old, our creativity is what's most impressive in the end

[@xfatalxflawx]

Finally! Been waiting for this one

[@mariawarda4385]

Me too👍

[@bms0441]

I love it as is, but wouldn't mind seeing some additional waterfalls in the future! The stands are gorgeous and inspiring me to make my own. 😀♥️

[@wiqklxz8785]

Oh wow it is lovely now that it is all grown in I still remember watching this and it was beautiful but now it Looks like a actual jungle inside a tank I can’t wait to see what you do with that new enclosure hope it comes soon! Good job Serpa!

[@jrock0829]

What’s up Tanner, awesome videos! you’ve give me a lot of inspiration for a few vivariums I have planned, but I’d love to see some more arid/desert builds, maybe demonstrating how to properly have a clean up crew in an environment that doesn’t require so much moisture, or something along those lines. Keep up the great vids!

[@mariawarda4385]

Love always the way you care about your babies, is amazing!!!

[@marwanalmehairi6009]

One of my favorite buildsss 😍

[@aquanews9633]

Wonderful fishroom, beautiful fishtanks ! I like this room!

[@b6s_scorer917]

Great looking setup! Nice job!

[@Gardenfurnitur]

Congratulations in my opinion this is your most beautiful and best project for creating a paludary definitely like it👍

[@Dunkelelf3]

yeah i would love seeing you redo this.. you brought up many ideas i also had for a paludarium once i moved appartments.. but i pretty much planned out the layout somewhat in my head and i also wanted it to have a waterfall into a stream with a pooling area and another stream into the main aquatic area with the fish.. ofc the paludarium would be way larger than the tank you have here.. but i wanted it to be home for some toads, maybe some water loving reptiles as well and the aquatic part to be large enough for a nice variety of fish and maybe also some shrimps and the land parts i wanted to be big enough for a nice jungle of different plants..

[@ESwift-Arts]

Something like this is my dream setup… it’s so magical and peaceful and captures an amazing mini ecosystem. I’d love to add a small building type structure to give mine the feeling of a space once occupied by humans taken over by nature too

[@JustDoinFlorida]

I would love to see a version 2.0 of this paludarium but in a 75 gallon instead so you could have a large water area along with the land area

[@diversegardener392]

It's awesome and wonderful I could look at it all day!

[@blade_2317]

This has to be my favorite project that you have done I’d like to see more projects like this/more pauldariums with a land and water feature

[@Collection_of_unseen_nature]

i love it! I also love when your do remakes of your enclosures =) Sending you 40 hugs from southern Sweden 🤩

[@linkpwns13]

Great update!! I would love to see an update on your isopods :D

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

Love the white clouds. Really nice setup!

[@SerpaDesign]

I agree! One of my favorite fish for sure.

[@aurora_dawn123]

Wow, it looks amazing! I hope your fire-bellies breed successfully.

[@Tajirogu]

I think a redo will be an amazing thing. You already do a fantastic job and with new knowledge i think it will enhance your toads home and make it even better for the fish!

[@SerpaDesign]

My thoughts exactly!

[@danachambers8882]

U r the man I'm learning another from u keep it coming

[@brandonsaquariumsandterrar8985]

Honestly, i think if it aint broken, dont fix it. I think it looks perfect the way it is. If there is a tank that need updated. It is the gargoyle gecko tank

[@ShaneGrimComicGuy]

I love this build and the fish are an amazing touch. I would love to see you get a White's Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) and build an enclosure for it. Good job and great video!

[@jmaccolo]

Hi Tanner, is love to see a feeding video, specifically what kind of foods and why you chose a particular kind of insect, etc.

[@aidansturdivan9789]

Great vid! My favorite setup. Keep up with the large paludariums.

[@lorishellenberger5002]

Looks great!! Now you've got me thinking about another waterfall in my fire belly tank! My only suggestion would be to take out some of the leggy plants and add some with color.

[@mr.breeze7907]

I am inspired. Thanks for all the info..

[@bundlezlandis7820]

Looked forward to this video. Keep it up man

[@michellepage5519]

WOW! Super-Bio active. Nice job 👏

[@FmellyFish]

You are one of the coolest human beings on the face of this Earth my friend.

[@andone01red]

Lookin good, glad to see the toads are doing well too

[@FruityPeachNatural]

O m g that looks awesome! Glad to watch your channel keep growing

[@leneecasteel2005]

Hi Tanner! I am always excited to see a new video from you, and today was no disappointment. I love both your builds and your updates on established tanks. I have noticed that, IMO, your new builds inspire people more than updates do. As for me, I would really prefer to see you put new ideas and learned knowledge into a new setup! I really like that you're primarily considering it for improving conditions for your toads. And I would love to see something like a cave behind a taller waterfall with a soaking pool at the base. How cool would that be? I would also like to see some different textures in the plants, too. I saw purple in the initial build video, but none in the update. What happened there? Anyway, you will do what you will do, and you never disappoint me. So, don't stop now! God Bless Tanner, and Peace to you and yours!

[@darrylmoore5847]

That is looking great.

[@carrotcactus283]

This might be a bit late, but I was skeptical about how the slate stone waterfall would turn out (because you didn't put any chips near it so it looked a bit too bright in comparison), but I think now that stuff has grown on it, it looks so much better (and that's the only thing I didn't like as much about it)! Great job Tanner :)

[@blaholtzen]

It's a great set up no doubt, but it would definitely be cool to see how you'd improve it too. It's always really interesting to follow along with your reasoning and problem solving, and I think even more so when there are as many factors involved as there are with this one

[@lookiamfat]

PLEASE DO A VIDEO ON HOW TO PREVENT CONDENSATION IN A VIVARIUM. your vivariums are all so clear.

[@jacobkolberg6861]

Man. This tank is so epic.

[@deansaints8769]

Nice update on the paludarium. Hope you could give us an update on the aqua plants jar ecosphere. Thanks and more power!

[@aleigh578]

You dont realize how long you've been watching Tanner until you get a 17 month update video. Man I've been here for a long time 🤣

[@blackbeayti]

I love these update vids :)

[@JAMEYX]

I just watched the fire belly toad paludarium a few days ago. This is perfect haha.

[@user-wq5fb6ht4g]

Beautiful good job 👍

[@randyfreshreffs4853]

Nice that looks good good design

[@peperando8733]

I really love this one, I don't think it needs to be redone, but you should do as you wish

[@homemedia4325]

I watch but also miss content... I am guessing you still have to feed the animals? ...and how, what with ...and when? ...beautiful work as usual - respect from South Australia

[@mmoogl3547]

This is something I also wonder. Is this a self-sustainable ecosystem requiring only a bit of maintenance?

[@yungjoemighty879]

Would love to see some more updates on your other animals!

[@eskater147]

Amazing! I Love it

[@the4fibs832]

"but I tend to do what I want to do" hahaha that's why we love you tanner!

[@XtremeChiliPepper]

Good video, love the occasional updates! Yeah lol, keep it as it is! I've been contemplating the same exact thing for my tank (inspired by this very tank). It looks a mess, but functions with my red claw crabs. I'm just going to make a new tank!

[@JurgenBoes]

so glad we dont have any chlorine in our water here in the netherlands , it makes it so much more easy

[@aquaticma]

Keep it as is 👍

[@brettshevchenko7932]

It looks good man. I built my own copying what you did with a few changes to my set up on layout and the fact that I had a tank with the left side glass cracked. I added a canister filter and lava rocks under the land area to try and promote beneficial bacteria to grow to keep the water clean that being said it has a brown tint to it but I kinda like it. Watching these grow in is the best part of the entire process. I posted a few pics on my Instagram and tagged you in that post, if you have time take a look and tell me what you think. Keep up the good work and peace lol.

[@sharpton2008]

I'm starting my 55 gallon Paludarium build this weekend and I'm going to follow your design, but it'll have 2 waterfalls.

[@RLCAquatics]

The Shaman!

[@shini8522]

Dos

[@RLCAquatics]

Jacob Bachini 😂 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@jacobmaclachlanjacob4800]

I would say make a new one, I like the multi fall idea. Love your videos, you do great work!

[@wendyhenschel.]

Would love to see a bigger set up incorporating the two like you are talking about. More room for fish and waterfalls with some thicker denser plant areas to look more tropical

[@jiminsealbeach4536]

I love the idea of multiple waterfalls complete with pooling areas, and a complete ecosystem above and below the waterline. But wouldn’t that look great in your new 350? I’m setting up my first aquarium. It’s a 10 gallon and my plan is to make it a plant nursery and neocardinia farm in anticipation of a large aquarium later. I can’t really afford any more right now. I’m planning on it being low light and room temperature. What you said about including shadowy areas to make it look more natural makes sense. You are and George Farmer are my inspirations for aquascape design. And MD fish tanks has convinced me that I can do it on the cheap and is cheering me on.

[@SerpaDesign]

Nah I have different plans for the 350. I think the 40 breeder is still an ideal size for this type of setup. Glad to hear that your dipping into aquariums! It can be daunting at first. It's a very rewarding hobby long-term though.

[@yvonneg7580]

Replace tall plants in front w/ ground cover or at least shorter plants tht will display the tanks incredible design! 👏 Also add plants of diff colors to gv depth!

[@corrina-leighforster8886]

keep as is!

[@spooter5029]

Omg love your videos

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

pretty cool

[@lionman6110]

Fabulous my friend! Inspiring myself and the kids. Maybe I missed it, but what lighting system are using to grow the plants?

[@socalgal714]

Ive been watching for awhile now & I'm totally fascinated! May I ask your background? You're so knowledgeable I wonder where it all came from!

[@lavender-hearts]

I'd love to see you redo this setup with the features you talked about, especially the pooling areas for the toads. Additional color and texture among the plants would be great, too - the living plants are all looking really same-y and while the animals can be happy with that, it'd be nice for the humans who view that paludarium to see some added colors and textures. And while you said that it doesn't need to be brightly lit, I think having additional 'clear spaces' among the plant life would add some naturalistic variety in lighting. If some of those clear spaces are around the pooling areas and waterfalls, they come with the added benefit of seeing your toads enjoying those water features. If you redo it, I'd almost be tempted to say make it in a bigger tank. Give the toads about the same amount of land space, but more water space for the fish. I do like the idea of making your filters run on the outside so you have more space inside the tank, too.

[@patricklankhorst5176]

Looks great! One question though (i'm in the midst of building my very first paludarium): is the waterfall combined with polycarbonate cover sufficient to keep the land-based plants hydrated? You never have to give them extra water?

[@jeremystubbs4397]

If you redo that, I think multiple waterfalls would be a good idea. Also, I would have one of the waterfalls start higher, and flow into a pool (mini pond) which then waterfalls into the bottom reservoir with all those botanicals and fish. I think the frogs would love that.

[@mAExual]

I love the Setup. :) what kind of leaves do you use for the waterarea?