What is an aquaterrarium?
© Sebastian Cohrs
Among the multitude of different pets, more and more creatures that have to be kept in terrariums or aquariums are finding a home with animal lovers. Insects or reptiles are usually kept in terrariums. In aquariums, on the other hand, it is well known that fish and other water dwellers feel at home.
But there are also potential pets whose habitat consists of both rural and water-rich regions. However, neither a terrarium nor an aquarium is recommended as a habitat for such creatures. Instead, the choice should rather be based on a so-called “aquaterrarium” fall.
Definition – what is an aquaterrarium?
As just explained, there are many animals whose optimal habitat is determined rural areas and waters composed. And among these animals there are some that can definitely be kept as pets.
An aquaterrarium is designed precisely for such candidates. In principle, such an enclosure is nothing more than one Mixture of terrarium and aquarium. Such an aquaterrarium is characterized above all by small bodies of water, which have a densely planted bank. One could also say that an aquaterrarium is just a terrarium with water acts.
© Kristina Peez
Which animals can be kept?
In such small enclosures, the animals in particular feel particularly comfortable both in the water and on land move. These include special amphibians and reptiles. This makes an aquaterrarium an optimal home for Frogs, salamanders, newts and turtles.
examples
The Tiger Salamander:
This salamander species is in large parts of the United States resident. Their preferred habitat not only includes landmasses, but must also have a sufficiently large proportion of water for them to spawn.
A standard terrarium is therefore not suitable for keeping a tiger salamander, but an aquaterrarium in which the salamander has enough water available to safely lay its eggs in it.
© Kristina Peez – Salamanders in the aquaterrrium
The red-eyed tree frog:
This is a species of frog that lives in the Central American rainforests lives. They are nocturnal Animals and live mostly on the undersides of different tree leaves.
© Kristina Peez / Frog in the aquaterrarium
The red-eyed tree frog feels most comfortable when he is in a Group of two to three conspecifics located. In order to be able to completely submerge, they need at least one amount of water in their habitat seven centimeters deep water allows.
However, these animals also feel comfortable on land at (relatively) high altitudes. It follows that as pets they should be better kept in aquaterrariums, which have a minimum height of 80 centimeters feature.
How is an aquaterrarium set up?
A number of things are necessary to properly set up an aquaterrarium. For one, are sufficient Knowledge of the corresponding terraristics and aquaristics necessary, and on the other hand, of course, a suitable one container along with the right accessories.
The latter can be in corresponding specialty shops find. When choosing a suitable container, you should rather focus on a closed system because this enables higher humidity in the aquaterrarium, which usually has a positive effect on the animals living there.
© Sebastian Cohrs
In addition, should enough plants be at home in the aquaterrarium. First, they provide an essential higher water qualityand secondly, the roots of many plants make one optimal retreat for numerous animals of an aquaterrarium. Furthermore, plants also remove a lot of pollutants from the water. However, this does not change the fact that aquaterrarium water is always filtered must become. What also has a positive effect on many animals in this enclosure is a through Pump technology generated waterfall. This not only ensures more movement in the aquaterrarium, but also increases the humidity there.
Furthermore, one appropriate lighting also of great importance in an aquaterrarium. With commercial ones aquariums it is easy to see what suitable aquaterrarium lighting should look like. But you should be very careful about that too correct (and therefore healthiest) light for the affected animals and plants. Reptiles, for example, enjoy a lot more UV light than in normal light. In addition, many reptiles also require warmer zonesso that they have ample opportunities to warm up and dry off.
The maintenance of an aquaterrarium
Just as aquariums must be properly cared for, this is also necessary for aqua-terrariums. Especially in closed living spaces it is a regular occurrence that there is some heavy soiling that needs to be cleaned again.
The smaller an aquaterrarium, the faster it gets dirty. Just that Floor polluted by feces and dead plant parts comparatively quickly, which is why the ground itself often becomes muddy. This eliminates the water in the enclosure deprived of oxygenwhich makes regular cleaning of the soil extremely important for the animals that live there.
Recommended climate
Most of the animals kept in an aquaterrarium come from tropical and subtropical climate regions. For this reason, it is advisable to always ensure a climate in such an enclosure, if possible, which is most compatible with the climatic conditions of a rainforest can be compared. Of course, the climatic needs of the different aquaterrarium residents differ to some extent.
Different types
Not all aquaterrariums are the same. Overall, a distinction is made between three different types this enclosure. And some types are much better suited to various pets than others because of their construction and functions.
paludarium:
This is a rather swampy enclosure, whose Relatively low water content is, but over a lot of plants has. A paludarium is therefore very suitable for, for example newts or token.
Rivarium:
This is an aquaterrarium in which by flowing waters streams are to be simulated. Also one good amount of plants are in a rivarium. This pet enclosure is best for different pets amphibians and frogs.
riparium:
A type of aquaterrarium in which as many banks as possible by a proportionate high water content let find. A riparium is also primarily suitable for various amphibians.
Another tip:
In order to find the right aquaterrarium for your own pet, it is always advisable to look in one before buying Specialist shop for aquaristics advice so that the animal feels as comfortable as possible in its new home.