I have a 45 gallon tank that will become a new home for several fire belly toads and some neon tetras. At this time I am doing some research and acquiring the necessary items to turn this tank into something nice.

An issue I am currently working on resolving needs some input and suggestions from everyone.

The tank has the following dimensions: 3' long x 2' tall x 1' wide. In order to sustain the fish I intend on adding I will be filling the tank with 9" of water. This will give me roughly 17 gallons of water.

Since the water is certain to get dirty and the fish need oxygen, I need to filtrate this setup somehow. If this were a typical fishtank I would run a conventional filter. This isn't conventional. I will have 27" of space from the water to the top of the tank. I don't believe water spilling down that far would sound pleasant, look pleasant, or be pleasant for the inhabitants. That method would only work with some modifications.

I am currently considering an under-gravel system, though I hear those do not filter very well. I was also considering a filtration system that physicals sits in the water, but I am ignorant on those units and need some feedback. The other idea is to modify a side mount filter (conventional filter) and add a longer intake tube and create a long "slide" for the water to run down before it hits the water.

If I run with the "slide" idea I will have to figure out a way to create a removable "waterfall" look for it. This take is in my living room, so it will be a visual piece that needs to be attractive.

I am open to hearing/reading all of your ideas. If you have input of any kind, please post it.

I will be documenting the construction of this thing as I go, regardless as to how this all plays out. I have a brand new Canon EOS Rebel XS 1000D Camera for the photos. (I just need to figure out how to take good pics with it. lol)

Post your ideas. I am open to all of them. Help me get the creative juices flowing.

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I think I would create a custom waterfall with a filter for at least twice the amount of water. You can create a nice looking base out of great stuff and set the filter in it. This allows you to cut the tube to your desired length.

Another option, but it may be overkill, may not be, is a canister filter. The filter unit would sit on the ground, and just have 2 tubes going into the tank, one in and one out. It's more money, but definitely easier than making a custom waterfall. time = money.

Under gravel filter systems suck, I would say no, since the toads are messy little buggers.

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My name is Liz
3 Male Red Eye Tree Frogs for adoption. PM for details.

I am looking more into the canister filters. I like how they function. I realize they cost a lot more, but they seem to be easier for me to work with. (At least for the ideas I have in my head.)

I want the tank to house 18 Neons and a few Chinese Algae Eaters in addition to the frogs. I think a 30-40 gallon canister filter would work great, especially if the outtake hose runs through the "waterfall".

I am still researching so other opinions and ideas are welcome.

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I went with the Hagen Fluval 205 Canister Filter. It is rated for a 40 gallon tank, so it will be more than sufficient for what I will be using it for.

I am now working on the concept and design for how I will create the land portion of the tank. I do not intend on having it permanently placed in the tank so it will be free standing and removable. I am open to ideas for this though I do have a pretty good idea about how I will be approaching this.

Has anyone come across any really nice "islnads" that can be purchased? I am interested in prefabbed material too.

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I learned today that the Fluval I bought will not work for this application. The water pressure required for proper use will be far less than the unit requires. I am now looking into submersible filters, which is the most practical for this application. I am saddened as this Fluval was suppose to be pretty good. At least I now have a filter for my Saltwater Tank I will be putting together! lol

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I've got a water area of 6" deep, 23"long at the front and 14" at the back. The land area is separated by a diagonal piece of plexiglass keeping the water and land areas separate. (yes Liz I removed all the dirt and the tub, it looks so much prettier this way! )

I have a store bought waterfall filter (from Liz) that takes two carbon filters. It looks great and keeps the water clean, but it doesn't get the heavier stuff that lands on the floor of the water area.

How are you keeping the fish in with the toads? When I would occasionally use feeder guppies for the toads, the few that outgrew the proper feeding size eventually died. (I was feeding the fish) I was under the impression it was from toxins of the toads. Would a better filtration set-up allow me to add fish to the water area?

Let us know what you work out Rich. Thanks! (sorry I'm only asking more questions and not helping much!)

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Frognut
AKA Stephanie or to my friends - StephaNinie

Where is the joy in life, without the little creatures that warm our hearts!

I don't mind discussion in my threads Steph.

The set-up I am working on is an experiment. I am designing the tank to properly house the fire-bellied toad's but am experimenting with keeping fish as well.

I have already decided that I will be using 20 gallons of water for the design opposed to the 17 I was initially planning. The filter I purchase will be rated for 30+ gallons. This will give me the peace of mind that the water is being completely cycled numerous times an hour.

I am figuring that a biological and mechanical filtration, being cycled numerous times per hour, will allow the fish to survive with the amount of water I am offering. That is the experiment anyways. lol

I am going to be hitting some of the local petshops today to see what they have for filters and to pick up supplies at Home Depot for creating the "island".

I will post back with info on what I find. Feel free to post advice and ask questions. It makes me think and gives the thread a boost for others to see.

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I ended up buying a Tetra Whisper 40i. It is rated for a 40 gallon tank, so it should do a decent job on the 20 gallons of water I am using.

I tossed the filter, rocks, some plants, a heater, and the thermometer in to get a visual of what it is I will be working with.

I also purchased the plexiglass and aquarium silicone I will be using for the construction.

Unlike a typical paludarium where a divider is used to create land and water, I will be creating a removable, freestanding unit which will act like an island. That is the plan anyways. lol

This is the current tank:


Don't mind the blue rocks. lol I would have preferred a "natural" stone, but it is for my daughters frogs. lol

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I was using a Tetra Whisper 10i - which I'm guessing is rated for 10 gallons. But I had that in a plastic tote, which had to be way under 5 gallons because the water area now is 6.25 gallons. (6"h x 20"l x 12"w)

But the water temperatures were definitely lower than the current 75ºf that they are now -- would that have made a difference?? What temperature are you keeping your water at?

The rock waterfall filter I have now is significantly larger and takes two charcoal filters - Its a Tetra Decorative Reptofilter that says it is for up to 55 gals. Supposedly filtering 90gph.

Would tetra's be considered a hardier fish than feeder guppy's? (I think that is what I had in the tank). I may give it a try myself after the next full tank cleaning. I really want fish in my fire-bellied toad tank!

Keep us updated, this is exciting!

BTW: I like the blue rocks!

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Frognut
AKA Stephanie or to my friends - StephaNinie

Where is the joy in life, without the little creatures that warm our hearts!

The Tetra Decorative Reptofilter is very much like the whisper series. It is just decorative. lol (I actually looked at those.)

Neons are a fairly hardy little fish. They have a high tolerance to water temperature fluctuations, though I will be maintaining the water temperature around 75 degrees. (It is currently holding at 74, which I am ok with too. lol)

I will likely start with a few zebra danios to cycle the tank, and then I will add an algae eater and a school of neons.

This is going to be a process for me and will take some time. I am currently working 53 hours a week, so I only have Sundays for these side projects.

My next course of action is to draw out my land patterns on the plexi and cut them out. That will be this upcoming weekend hopefully.

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