My Mudskipper Paludarium

[bae1994]

Very good work

Do you run a zoo ?

( just with all the pieces you've done and your raccoon)

Ate bae

 

[HX67]

Thanks Ate bae.

No, no zoo, just some aquariums and terrariums. Maybe fifteen or so.

But, you know:

A home without a raccoon
is merely an apartment.

Brings great punk-shui, too.


Look, there's babies in there!

Too bad they are not mudskippers, but halfbeaks (possibly Nomorhamphus ebrardti).

 

[ZoddyZod]

fifteen aquariums/terrariums?

share please!

 

[HX67]

I shared a couple of pics (comment #120) on the previous page of this thread, and a couple of the projects are presented in my "blog" (see sig).
More to come as I find the time and energy.
Thanks for your interest!

 

[HX67]

I put a pitcher plant in the tank. It seems to have taken it home, growing well and making new pitchers very nicely

Also, i cut the tops off the black mangrove, but it seems to have survived it. New growth is appearing. I hope the stems thicken up a bit and perhaps start branching a little more.

Some ambiance:

 

[maurizio]

Hello HX,
I've got a coupe of questions about your fantastic scapes. You have just made reality most of the things I've been only dreaming about. I can't say the same of my tank, but I'm learning (slowly, apparently...). Great blog, too.

Here we go:

1) I see you have a black mangrove growing. I have a couple of fresh seeds I never dared to plop in (low-end brackish), because I'm not sure it would survive in plain water (unlike my red mangrove propagule, which are indeed rooting quietly): so, how is yours settled?
2) I see you have a number of epiphites (the carnivorous and many tillandsiae, in different tanks): I tried myself with some micro-orchids and many tillandsiae, but many of them didn't make it: some look too dry, and some like rotting due to eccess of humidity. I can't figure which of the two... So, what are the humidity conditions in your tanks? Are they sealed?

 

[HX67]

1) I see you have a black mangrove growing. I have a couple of fresh seeds I never dared to plop in (low-end brackish), because I'm not sure it would survive in plain water (unlike my red mangrove propagule, which are indeed rooting quietly): so, how is yours settled?

Thanks, m.
I'm certainly not an expert on mangroves. I've killed a dozen reds and several blacks.

But my black mangroves seem to be doing swell in a Riparium Supply planter. The propagules seem to need a substrate (I have sand in the planter) to start rooting. The propagules I planted on moss or other wet spots, died without any sign of life.

I have a feeling the red mangroves are not that salt-tolerant after all. Well, I just have never seen a lush plant living in a saltwater tank.
The one I had, rooted well and started growing ok. But soon, without any change in conditions, the growth stunted and eventually they died. All of them.

In the wild the roots of Mangroves are deep in the sediment. I have a feeling the water is not salty down there.
I mean, they do start growing, but pretty soon they need fresh water... I don't know.

Please, anyone, show me a pic of a large, lush mangrove thriving in a salty tank!

2) I see you have a number of epiphites (the carnivorous and many tillandsiae, in different tanks): I tried myself with some micro-orchids and many tillandsiae, but many of them didn't make it: some look too dry, and some like rotting due to eccess of humidity. I can't figure which of the two... So, what are the humidity conditions in your tanks? Are they sealed?

Orchids are tricky. I haven't done too well with them, either. They hate to have their feet wet, that's pretty much all I know. Or think I know. And no spraying? High humidity.

Tillies are easier. The glossier, deep green ones need more humidity and a bit less light. The "silky" ones, lighter green or grayish, need less moisture but more light. They also bare higher temperatures.
The mudsie tank is sealed with a top glass. The streambank palu is open on the front.
Tillies are doing great in the streambank. I spray them with aquarium water every 1-3 days or so. There's a dozen or so species of Tillandsias and none have died during the three to four years they have been there.
I think I'll try and plant some in the mudskipperarium. I have several T. caput medusaes to experiment with.

Be sure to share your experiments with me, dude!

 

[maurizio]

But my black mangroves seem to be doing swell in a Riparium Supply planter. The propagules seem to need a ground (I have sand in the planter) to start rooting. The propagules I planted on moss or other wet spots, died without any sign of life.

Cheers, HX!
That's exactly my doubt: mine is an aquarium 100%, with sand at the bottom. The red mangroves are hanging by one side, and slowly developing their roots. I'll try to follow A. Calfo's suggestion to raise part of the roots out of the water, since this apparently stimulates the extended roots typical of this species. But the black? Can I just plop the seed in the water, and let it stay on the sand? I understand yours are in open air?

I have a feeling the red mangroves are not that salt-tolerant after all. Well, I just have never seen a lush plant living in a saltwater tank.
The one I had, rooted well and started growing ok. But soon, without any change in conditions, the growth stunted and eventually they died. All of them.

In the wild the roots of Mangroves are deep in the sediment. I have a feeling the water is not salty down there.
I mean, they do start growing, but pretty soon they need fresh water... I don't know.

Please, anyone, show me a pic of an older mangrove thriving in a salty tank!

I'm pretty sure I've seen relatively large red mangroves in reef tanks. And they can surely live in full marine conditions in nature. I'm collecting pictures of mangrove environments, if you want to check them out. My tank is a low-end brackish, so this should not be an issue. Sure issues are movements (they get very upset if you move them after rooting in the ground), and high sensitivity to pruning (premature pruning can kill the plant).

Agreed on orchids. My Schoenorchis is doing barely ok under direct light (and that might be the problem), and definitely it doesn't get wet.

Great advice on Tillandsiae, many thanks! Mines are collected in Brazil in various environments, no wonder they're reacting differently... I'm going there again next week, planning to spend a weekend in a mangrove estuary, hopefully I'll get a few more reds!

The early pages of my (B)log, below, show how I set the aerial plants at the beginning (autumn last year). Not many of them are left...

Are you in Finland?! I'm in DK.

Cheers!!

 

[richpowell1989]

hi i jus wondering what some speices that will grow in my aquarium that are large enough to grow well out the of the top of the water, i dont mean standard plants i mean ones that are meant to have its leafs out of water, i have an open top aquarium and a large empty space above the tank were the light system hangs from the ceiling i want to fill this out with plants aswell like yours

 

[maurizio]

hi i jus wondering what some speices that will grow in my aquarium that are large enough to grow well out the of the top of the water, i dont mean standard plants i mean ones that are meant to have its leafs out of water, i have an open top aquarium and a large empty space above the tank were the light system hangs from the ceiling i want to fill this out with plants aswell like yours

Well, I don't know much of planted tanks, but Java Fern can be an emergent plant, with the leafs out.

 

[HX67]

Cheers, HX!
That's exactly my doubt: mine is an aquarium 100%, with sand at the bottom. The red mangroves are hanging by one side, and slowly developing their roots. I'll try to follow A. Calfo's suggestion to raise part of the roots out of the water, since this apparently stimulates the extended roots typical of this species. But the black? Can I just plop the seed in the water, and let it stay on the sand? I understand yours are in open air?

I planted the black mangrove propagules in wet sand, in a Riparium Supply planter on the surface of the tank. I don't think they do well if you just put them in water.

I have a feeling the red mangroves are not that salt-tolerant after all. Well, I just have never seen a lush plant living in a saltwater tank.
The one I had, rooted well and started growing ok. But soon, without any change in conditions, the growth stunted and eventually they died. All of them.

In the wild the roots of Mangroves are deep in the sediment. I have a feeling the water is not salty down there.
I mean, they do start growing, but pretty soon they need fresh water... I don't know.

Please, anyone, show me a pic of an older mangrove thriving in a salty tank!

I'm pretty sure I've seen relatively large red mangroves in reef tanks. And they can surely live in full marine conditions in nature. I'm collecting pictures of mangrove environments, if you want to check them out. My tank is a low-end brackish, so this should not be an issue. Sure issues are movements (they get very upset if you move them after rooting in the ground), and high sensitivity to pruning (premature pruning can kill the plant).

Agreed on orchids. My Schoenorchis is doing barely ok under direct light (and that might be the problem), and definitely it doesn't get wet.

Great advice on Tillandsiae, many thanks! Mines are collected in Brazil in various environments, no wonder they're reacting differently... I'm going there again next week, planning to spend a weekend in a mangrove estuary, hopefully I'll get a few more reds!

The early pages of my (B)log, below, show how I set the aerial plants at the beginning (autumn last year). Not many of them are left...

Are you in Finland?! I'm in DK.

Cheers!!

I know that mangrove grows in full marine conditions, but what Im trying to say is that their roots go deep into the bottom substrate and there are no small roots in open water, no?
This leads me to believe that they actually get the moisture and nutrients from much less salty conditions than pure sea water. I could be wrong here...

Yeah, I noticed the moving issue with my reds. Pretty much managed to kill them all.

I envy your collecting trips, dude.
You gotta give us a photo lecture of those.
Nice blog you've got going there.

Yes, I'm in Finland.
Love those Danes. The happiest people on earth.

hi i jus wondering what some speices that will grow in my aquarium that are large enough to grow well out the of the top of the water, i dont mean standard plants i mean ones that are meant to have its leafs out of water, i have an open top aquarium and a large empty space above the tank were the light system hangs from the ceiling i want to fill this out with plants aswell like yours

Here's a quick list by Devin, the owner of Riparium Supply:
AQUARIUM PLANTS
Echinodorus cordifolius
various Hygrophila
Bacopa monnieri
various other stem plants, e.g., Limnophila

POND PLANTS
Cyperus, especially C. 'Baby Tut' and C. alternifolius var gracilis
Acorus gramineus, but be careful because insect pests destroy it
Colocasia fallax
Ruellia brittoniana
Asclepias currasivarica

A lot more can be found by googling ripariums.

 

[maurizio]

Cheers, HX!
That's exactly my doubt: mine is an aquarium 100%, with sand at the bottom. The red mangroves are hanging by one side, and slowly developing their roots. I'll try to follow A. Calfo's suggestion to raise part of the roots out of the water, since this apparently stimulates the extended roots typical of this species. But the black? Can I just plop the seed in the water, and let it stay on the sand? I understand yours are in open air?

I planted the black mangrove propagules in wet sand, in a Riparium Supply planter on the surface of the tank. I don't think they do well if you just put them in water.

Right, as I expected. So it's a no go for my black mangrove seeds. Fair enough, will get more reds!

I know that mangrove grows in full marine conditions, but what Im trying to say is that their roots go deep into the bottom substrate and there are no small roots in open water, no?
This leads me to believe that they actually get the moisture and nutrients from much less salty conditions than pure sea water. I could be wrong here...

I see the point, but I'm not sure how salinity and nutritive contents change in the substrate. But there ARE new roots coming into the water, so at least at the beginning of their life these roots do have to cope with high salinity. Some of these roots actually come down from high branches, rather than from the body of the tree.

I envy your collecting trips, dude.
You gotta give us a photo lecture of those.
Nice blog you've got going there.

Yes, I'm in Finland.
Love those Danes. The happiest people on earth.

Yes, I know I'm a lucky #19### on this. I'm in Rio again right now, will spend next weekend in a new river estuary I recently found, not too far from town. So, new pics soon. If water conditions allow, I'll get some underwater pics, I have the diving case with me this time. How about you, where do YOU get your plants from?? Should I find enough propagulae (and be able to smuggle them!), do you need more?

The Danes! I love them too. I'm myself italian, moved to DK some years ago, just because I wanted to be there.

 

[HX67]

Right, as I expected. So it's a no go for my black mangrove seeds. Fair enough, will get more reds!

Nonono. There's ample space for a planter on the surface, behind those magnificent roots in your tank! Either a hanging planter or something supported from the bottom (a 50 mm pipe drilled full of holes, perhaps?).

I see the point, but I'm not sure how salinity and nutritive contents change in the substrate. But there ARE new roots coming into the water, so at least at the beginning of their life these roots do have to cope with high salinity. Some of these roots actually come down from high branches, rather than from the body of the tree.

I agree, in the beginning of their life mangroves take all they need from water. But once the roots reach the bottom, the small roots vanish from water and more mature trees only have thick roots going into the substrate, no?
I don't have data on the conditions in the bottom substrate either. Just a strong feeling... At some depth salinity lowers and vanishes for sure. But do the roots reach that or not? Anyone?

Yes, I know I'm a lucky #19### on this. I'm in Rio again right now, will spend next weekend in a new river estuary I recently found, not too far from town. So, new pics soon. If water conditions allow, I'll get some underwater pics, I have the diving case with me this time. How about you, where do YOU get your plants from?? Should I find enough propagulae (and be able to smuggle them!), do you need more?

The Danes! I love them too. I'm myself italian, moved to DK some years ago, just because I wanted to be there.

You're killing me.
Looking forward to seeing your pics.

I get mine opportunisticly, whenever a chance comes along. Online, mostly.
For Tillies and carnivores there's a great site CZ Plants I can recommend.

If you are lucky to find any (not illegal down there, I gather) and willing to spare some, I'm in for sure!
Thanks for the offer. Name your price.

Lucky guy for getting to choose the place to live at will, too. More envy.

 

[maurizio]

Nonono. There's ample space for a planter on the surface, behind those magnificent roots in your tank! Either a hanging planter or something supported from the bottom (a 50 mm pipe drilled full of holes, perhaps?).

I know, it's just that I'm a purist, I hate seeing things in there which don't belong! So, in-line heater and external filter! For the same reason, it took me long to finally choose the fake "mangrove roots", which don't really look like Rhizophora, but...
By the way, they costed a fortune, and after 6 months the paint is starting to flake away! So, I wouldn't recommend them anymore, although I love their look.

I agree, in the beginning of their life mangroves take all they need from water. But once the roots reach the bottom, the small roots vanish from water and more mature trees only have thick roots going into the substrate, no?
I don't have data on the conditions in the bottom substrate either. Just a strong feeling... At some depth salinity lowers and vanishes for sure. But do the roots reach that or not? Anyone?

You're probably right, if salinity goes down with the substrate depth, then sure, it makes sense. I'll look for evidence of no small roots in old specimens, in the weekend!

Great site, that czplants! I was only aware of these two, in Europe: http/www.tillandsia-shop.de/index2.php?VID=qwNMpJgHSxGRoqGZ, http/www.mangrove.at/news.html (finally updated).

It's the season now, so yesterday just strolling on the beach in Copacabana I got more than I could carry! As a comparison, one month ago I found only two (the ones you see in my tank right now), inside a mangrove swamp!

In the past I had no problem in smuggling 3-4 in my checked-in luggage, but I'm totally unsure what exactly brazilian laws say about exporting seeds. Seems like I'm gonna figure out soon!

No charges, perhaps just the shipping expenses from Aalborg.

Cheers!

 

[JDs4me]

Feel a little numb after reading this and your blog for the last hour...what fabulous work. Hope you don't mind a couple of questions...

I want to create a completely submerged trunk of a tree with roots branching out...I am thinking I wouldn't be able to use the foam for sculpting as you have as it would strongly want to float, even if covered with plaster and grout. How do you attach yours to the tank, or is it unnecessary as yours are only partially submerged?

Very impressed with the way you retain the detail of your sculptures even when coated with plaster and grout...stunning stuff. Do you need to prepare the surface of the foam once sculpted, so that it will accept the plaster/grout without it just sloughing off?