Hey all. I currently have a saltwater reef in my 135g
tank. However, I've come up with a much simpler plan,
which will involve two 20L tanks and a 150g stock tank
sump. Thus, I have a 135 available. I will finally be
able to make the vivarium of my dreams.

Reefkeeping is pretty complicated/expensive, so money shouldn't be a problem. I'm unphased by spending $500
on lights, and $800 on rocks.

Before I got into reefkeeping, I was going to set up a
dart vivarium. I've kept whites tree frogs before, and
know a good bit about vivariums and their
setup/maintenance. I still have a bit of studying to
do, but I know the basics.

What I want to do with this tank is make it look like
a jungle floor, with a waterfall/pond right in the
middle. This is convenient because my 135 is drilled
on the bottom in the center. This will allow for easy
pond setup. I'll have a 55g tank underneath, which
will hold filtration and a return pump. The return
pump will be plumbed over the top, and down the center
back wall, for the waterfall.

Should I set up a false bottom? I've set them up
before, but I don't like the look of them from the
outside. I think if I put LECA (Lightweight Expandable
Clay Aggregate) or gravel, then a layer of screen,
then the soil, it would stay drained fairly well.

I am also undecided about a background. I've used
triple expanding foam to make a background before, and
it was pretty cool. I'd like to try cork bark though,
it would look more natural. So, foam (covered in dirt
and the like) or cork?

I plan on having a lot of natural plants...broms, mosses, ferns, and aquatic things in the pond section. What kinds of light would I need to grow this stuff? I was thinking using a fluorescent ballast, like an IceCap430, and lighting the tank with two 6' 160w VHO bulbs. Surely that would be enough, right?

Then stocking...what kind(s) of darts would you recommend for this setup? Is it big enough to have multiple species? I don't really want small darts, as I'd probably never see them in a tank this size. I like P. terribilis, but they aren't very colorful. Suggestions?

Thanks a lot, I'll keep you guys posted with my progress. We don't move into my Dads new place (where the reef will be going, and I'll be leaving the 135 at my Moms) until November 1st, so we have lots of planning and sketching time, working out the kinks.

Tyler

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