This palludarium (I,e., riverine vivarium) is constructed in a 120-gallon (high: 24”H x 24”W x 48”L) aquaterrarium. The extra width is highly desirable to permit the development of a land section that is more than a mere ledge. The bottom has a gravel layer. The land portion was built with black lava rocks. These rocks have the advantage of being very light and, therefore, not stressing the bottom of the tank with excess weight. Gaps between the tops of the lava rocks are filled in with Spanish moss over which a layer of sphagnum moss and living mosses are laid. The sides and back are covered with large pieces of cork bark, silicone sealed in place. The waterfall in the left rear corner is constructed of single large pieces of lava rock that was chiseled into the desired shape. Lava rock is exceedingly soft and easy to shape. Its primary drawback is that it is so light that may float until it gets sufficiently waterlogged. Birds-nest sanseveria and pothos are the plants that have done best for me. 

A submersible pump each of the two rear corners provides filtration, the waterfall, and a strong current. Each is equipped with a large sponge filter. The filters are hidden in caves and because the sponges are black, they look very much like the surrounding lava rock and are all but invisible. To clean the filters I simply turn off the pumps, reach into the caves, remove the filters, rinse and replace. The entire process takes about 5 minutes once every 4-5 days. Every month or two I siphon out about 2/3 of the water and replace it with fresh water.  

This palludarium is home to a large number of baby turtles including cooters, red-eared sliders, two species of spiny soft shells, musk turtles, mud turtles, and false map turtles. Several species of frogs that have done well include White’s and dumpy tree frogs, tomato frogs, and African clawed frogs. Lizards include Giant Madagascar day geckos, a tokay gecko, golden gecko, anoles, and flat rock lizards. The day and tokay geckos will eat smaller lizards and frogs and the turtles will eat most fish so that I have finally given up trying to introduce any fish other than inexpensive “feeder” goldfish, guppies, etc.

The reason that so many animals can do so well in this set up is that there are so many hiding places. The land portion of the tank has numerous caves among the pieces of lava rock that are used extensively by the musk and mud turtles. Because the pieces of cork bark lining the sides are slightly concave in shape, many of the lizards and tree frogs use them for safe retreats.