Starting My Own Paludarium [Image Heavy]

[Toaster]

Hi,
 
I'm starting a Paludarium in my 33 gallon tank. Here's some pictures of what I have so far:
 

It's kinda beat up around the outside. I might try to repaint it!

My cat Saul is wondering where the fish are for him to try and eat.

Just another picture of him. lol 

My other cat hobbes, he's wondering what stinks so bad. I soaked all my old equipment in 80% water and 20% vinegar for 24 hours still didn't help some stuff...

Most of the stuff I cleaned.

Mineral deposits still there.

Any suggestions?

I think it's time for a new lid perhaps.. More mineral and algae in between the clear plastic and frame.

Supplies:
Just some of the supplies I'm planning to get I might add more to this list later on. I might not get some of these things as well.
 

Home Depot:
Silicone sealant black/Brown 3.98 each clear is $5.92 each

Great stuff foam 3.98 a can

Plastic cutters(for plexi) - $5

Premier 3 cu. ft. Peat Moss - $9.97 - organic no fertilizer.

Lowes:

OPTIX 24-in x 18-in x 0.22-in Clear Acrylic Sheet - $20.00

PLASKOLITE 47-3/4-inL x 23-3/4-in W White Ceiling Light Panel  - $12.97

New York Wire 36-in x 7-ft Charcoal Fiberglass Screen Wire - $6.48

Rock City 0.5-cu ft Pea Gravel - $2.79

QUIKRETE 50-lbs Play Sand - 3.69

Charlotte Pipe 1-1/2-in x 10-ft 330-PSI Sch 40 PVC DWV Pipe - $5.33

Pumps($22.99 each):

http://www.marinedepot.com/Eheim_Compact_Pump_Aquarium_Powerheads_Compact_Pumps-Eheim-EH1000-FIPHCP-vi.html

Tubing(.99 a ft):
http://www.marinedepot.com/Flexible_Vinyl_Tubing_Ft_Clear_Vinyl_Tubing-Plumbing_Parts-FT1313-FIFTTUVTCT-vi.html

Drillbit($3.77):
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=44632&gclid=CJ3n8ZTPjb0CFeZAMgodTDwAJw

Heatgun($19.99):
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Genesis-12-5-Amp-Dual-Temperature-Heat-Gun-Kit-GHG1500A/203656913?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-203656913&skwcid&kwd=&ci_sku=203656913&ci_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969#customer_reviews
Foam Shaper($6.47)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Surform-Shaver-21-115/100654913?N=5yc1vZc24y

Flora:

Not entirely sure what I'm going to do yet, but I know I need to be careful. I don't want to inject CO2 into the water. I've seen this:
http/www.sudeepmandal.com/hobbies/planted-aquarium/low-tech-planted-tank-guide/

I need to read up more on it. I know I want to use some air plants which my father in law collects. They don't require soil so you can tack them up anywhere you want, and only need to be misted once a day. I was also thinking I could buy a cheap humidifier, buy some hosing and jerry rig it to connect to the tank. Would it be cheaper to just buy a fog machine? Thoughts?

Fauna:

Some sort of fresh water fish. I don't know how many gallons I'll have to work with, so until I figure that out I wont be able to really decide which fish I want.

I also want a land/water animal, but choosing one that wont kill or harm the fish is very difficult. I'm very open to ideas!

I'll post updates here again once I figure out more stuff!

 

[Toaster]

After doing more research I've discovered that quickrite can leech right into the water, and will continue to do so for quite a long time. Instead of you need find concrete for portable water or concrete that conforms to ECA/USPHS standards, or USDA approved for food industry. It can be used for drinking water, and as such it shouldn't harm the fish. It's quite expensive but in the long run will save you time and money since your fish wont be dying off.
 
I found some that sells to me locally at:
http/www.norkan.com/Norkan_Store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_73&products_id=416
 
Like with all/most concrete if you use it make sure you have proper protection on. Concrete can burn your skin. I pulled most of this from this forum:
 
http/ice1forum.suddenlaunch3.com/index.cgi?board=DIY&action=display&num=1115002332
 
Hope this helps others!

 

[Ninjouzata]

Wouldn't sealing it solve that issue or no?
 
Am not sure unfortunately how to get the mineral deposits off May indeed be time for new lids. Have you looked at versa tops?

 

[Toaster]

Wouldn't sealing it solve that issue or no?

Eventually the sealant would wear off unless it was rated for underwater usage. You can soak regular cement for 3-4 months to "cure" it, but do you want to wait that long.. The sika cement will cure within 48 hours and it's drinking water safe. They might have something similar in a different brand other then sika but I'm not sure..
 

Am not sure unfortunately how to get the mineral deposits off

May indeed be time for new lids. Have you looked at versa tops?

No I haven't but they look quite nice for the price! 25 dollars for my tank size.

Edit: Also if you do use a sealant you have to make sure it's drinking water safe otherwise it can leach into the water. I'm not sure what sealant pools use but that might be an option maybe? I imagine they'd have to meet drinking water safety standards.

 

[Ninjouzata]

There are a few things I've been told you can use to seal with: Krylon Fusion, Plastidip, and..something else that I forgot. Oops
 
Not sure if these will give you an idea or not, here is Eduller's 3d background thread, and Alasse's 5ft 3d background thread (she also made some rock caves~)
 
I'd definitely like to hear more of your thoughts since we're making caves and sealing them with krylon fusion. I don't want the fish to get hurt
 
Love the versa-tops, they fit snug so not as much water lost to evaporation (I don't think anyways) and you can look right down into your tank instead of having to lift the lid to do so.

 

[Toaster]

Well I looked up kyrlon fusion, and I found their safety sheet: http/www.setonresourcecenter.com/msdshazcom/htdocs//MSDS/Retail/K/KRYLON%20PLASTIC%20FUSION%20AEROSOL%20-%20GLOSS%20BLACK%202321.pdf

Under water soluble it says N/A. That's not really good or bad.. It means they don't want to say because they don't want to be liable. Same thing for plastic dip..

It could be fine or could kill your fish, I'm not a chemist, I don't know if it would actually break down underwater once time has passed. If you keep a close eye out on the water quality (PH, Alkalinity, Ammonia, etc) before you add the fish you should be okay..

 

[Ninjouzata]

You're a lot better at researching than I am! Sorry did not mean to take away from your thread by asking you questions 

 
Looking forward to more progress on this, oh and something I forgot to show you before was THIS, a nano fish list.

 

[Toaster]

Oh its fine I like to collaborate on this stuff!

Thanks for the list I think I might sit down with my wife tonight and pick out some that we both like!