How to Create Paludarium? Choosing Tank, Plants and Inhabitants

A paludarium is an aquatic take on a conventional aquarium and a habitat designed to support diverse plant growth in conditions similar to a riverbed or wetland.

You can convert fish tanks into paludariums relatively easily - but it's essential to know how to set your new environment up so that it can support healthy growth in your aquarium planting.

Let's run through some top tips to select the right components to create successful paludariums.

The Best Aquarium Tanks for Paludariums

Most Fish Tanks are well suited to aquarium planting, and if you already have an aquarium with filter, you'll usually be ready to get started.

If you'd like to grow exotic taller plants, you might need a larger tank, but a regular aquarium is otherwise fine.

Choosing Inhabitants for Paludariums

Aquatic plants need LED lights and an aquarium with filter properties to thrive, so the only difference in equipment is that you can't use a non-submersible heater or an aquarium filter that hangs on the bank of the tank for paludariums.

That's because these filters operate best with a full tank, whereas paludariums tend to have a lower water level.

You can populate your paludariums with amphibians, such as tree frogs, toads, newts and small turtles, so please double-check their requirements regarding LED Aquarium Lights and compatible aquarium planting!

Aquarium Plants for a Paludarium Habitat

Finally, you'll want to select your Aquarium Plants, depending on how much water you want to have - paludariums usually have a mixture of logs and climbing areas alongside shallow water.

Ideal aquarium plants include floating species such as Nymphoides, along with semi-aquatic plants and terrestrial plants - a mixture is perfect since the aquarium planting will oxygenate the water, provide shade, and create a beautiful blend of colours and textures.