Question(s) about water features

[elm199]

Ok, I've searched "water", "waterfall", "water feature", and a few other variations, but haven't found a definitive thread on this. If I missed something, Search Police, I apologize. Please point me in the right direction

I am setting up a 12x12x18" Exo-Terra tank for some A.avics. I'm planting it with some pothos, aloe, and a little jade fingerling, and was planning to keep pill bugs in there to maintain a clean tank (and just because they're cool).

Between the spiders, the plants, and the isopods, the tank is going to need a lot of humidity. I was originally going to pot the plants and fill about an inch deep around them with gravel (like this), cover it with screen or cheesecloth, and then top with soil to cover the pots, that way there could be some standing water at the bottom without drowning the soil.

Then I stated thinking about water features. My first thought was to have a really slow pump drip right onto the soil or down the side of the tank. But I've googled everything I can think of, and the slowest pump I've seen cycles 30 gal/hr, and I'd want something more like 1 gal/day. Then I thought about putting a little waterfall in the corner, maybe running into a glazed pot so the majority of the water can go directly back into the gravel. But I don't want to freak out the Ts with vibrations.

The tank has a screen top, and I'll have the pill bugs, so I'm not too worried about mold. Basically, I'm looking for advice about setting up a small water feature, which kind of pump to get, whether it can be outside the tank to cut down on vibrations, etc. If this is just a really bad idea, I guess I could save some money and just get a spray bottle :}

 

[curiousme]

Ok, I've searched "water", "waterfall", "water feature", and a few other variations, but haven't found a definitive thread on this. If I missed something, Search Police, I apologize. Please point me in the right direction

I can look these up later if you are still interested after reading below.

I am setting up a 12x12x18" Exo-Terra tank for some A.avics.

You are aware that A. avicularia are not communal. So, that might be the first strike.

I'm planting it with some pothos, aloe, and a little jade fingerling, and was planning to keep pill bugs in there to maintain a clean tank (and just because they're cool).

This sounds fantastic! I really love planted enclosures. When it is set up, will you post pictures here? I am interested in how your jade plant does, because we have a large houseplant one and I have been thinking about putting it in an enclosure eventually.

Between the spiders, the plants, and the isopods, the tank is going to need a lot of humidity.

Humid, but not wet.

I was originally going to pot the plants and fill about an inch deep around them with gravel (like this), cover it with screen or cheesecloth, and then top with soil to cover the pots, that way there could be some standing water at the bottom without drowning the soil.

Since the enclosure is for an Avicularia species, it isn't really necessary to use pots. They are truly arboreal and won't be digging around in the dirt and wreaking havoc with plants. The P. cambridgei enclosure was given pots, because they do like to play in the dirt. Plus, you definitely don't want standing water in the bottom of the tank, just not a great idea.

Then I stated thinking about water features. My first thought was to have a really slow pump drip right onto the soil or down the side of the tank. But I've googled everything I can think of, and the slowest pump I've seen cycles 30 gal/hr, and I'd want something more like 1 gal/day. Then I thought about putting a little waterfall in the corner, maybe running into a glazed pot so the majority of the water can go directly back into the gravel. But I don't want to freak out the Ts with vibrations.

This is really going over the top for watering the plants, plus that water that you would be finding a way to cycle through the gravel will also need to be changed so it doesn't become foul. This idea doesn't leave an easy way to do so.

The tank has a screen top, and I'll have the pill bugs, so I'm not too worried about mold.

Your absolute best bet for keeping the humidity up, is to either ditch that screen top, or block part of it off. Then get a big wide water dish to keep in there and water the plants every couple of weeks/ when they appear to need it. You still won't have to worry about mold, because you have the isopods in there cleaning things up. So, if you do happen to get some mold, they will take care of it. However, a little mold is not a detriment to your tarantula.

Basically, I'm looking for advice about setting up a small water feature, which kind of pump to get, whether it can be outside the tank to cut down on vibrations, etc.

The plan you have outlined isn't going to work IMO, but water features have been done, though not successfully by us. You would want some sort of container to serve as a pond and a smaller pump that would go continuously. This still leaves you with the added task of doing a water change every week by siphoning out the water and replacing it. I just don't think it is worth it in smaller enclosures, but for large(more than 20gal) tanks we will try it again.

If this is just a really bad idea, I guess I could save some money and just get a spray bottle :}

I wouldn't try this plan myself, honestly.

The spray bottle is a great idea, but don't count on it to accomplish all of your humidity for you. Spraying in the air, or on the sides of the enclosure only provide a brief spike in humidity, so blocked off ventilation and a large water dish is much effective.

 

[elm199]

This sounds fantastic! I really love planted enclosures. When it is set up, will you post pictures here? I am interested in how your jade plant does, because we have a large houseplant one and I have been thinking about putting it in an enclosure eventually.

Thanks! Your thread was what got me thinking about a new tank in the first place I'll definitely post pics. I know once it's established, I'll want something colorful in there like your wandering Jew.

You are aware that A. avicularia are not communal. So, that might be the first strike.

I'm (hopefully) getting 3 or 4 second-instar Avics, and figured on having the plants and cleaning crew well established before introducing them at third instar. I was under the impression that they could cohab until they reached maturity, at which point they could be divided up into separate tanks.

Since the enclosure is for an Avicularia species, it isn't really necessary to use pots. They are truly arboreal and won't be digging around in the dirt and wreaking havoc with plants. The P. cambridgei enclosure was given pots, because they do like to play in the dirt. Plus, you definitely don't want standing water in the bottom of the tank, just not a great idea.

...

Your absolute best bet for keeping the humidity up, is to either ditch that screen top, or block part of it off. Then get a big wide water dish to keep in there and water the plants every couple of weeks/ when they appear to need it. You still won't have to worry about mold, because you have the isopods in there cleaning things up. So, if you do happen to get some mold, they will take care of it. However, a little mold is not a detriment to your tarantula.

I think I'll take your advice on this :worship:. Your setups are really great, and I'd rather not have to tear everything out in a month because I overdid it on the water.

***

But, for future reference and in the interest of salvaging this as a "water feature" thread, I'd still like any advice anyone has on setting up a waterfall or drip wall, especially models of pumps that can run really slowly and either quietly enough to not disturb the animals, or externally without taking up a whole other tank's worth of space.

 

[curiousme]

Alright, here are some links for you.

Another person asking about a pond set-up.

And here is one with actual pictures of some.

Thank you for the compliment, I am glad you liked the enclosures.

 

[Kris-wIth-a-K]

I was hoping to try something like this as well.. My idea was to not to use those gravel rocks but peat moss. Depending on how nifty you are with plexy glass, you can cut a long piece going the width of the tank about 3" high and about 3" back from the front. seal the sides so no water gets leaked through because thats where the water is going to go or on the side back or wherever you'd like. The rest of the terra use peat moss and put the plants and whatever. It would be wise to put a little filter in with the water so it doesnt get gross, green and keep having to change it frequently. More or less an overkill but a cool set up.. It would be better for a communal sp. too..