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Beginner's guide

So you're getting into paludariums

A paludarium is where an aquarium meets a terrarium — water on the bottom, land on top, plants growing in both. Think a miniature rainforest riverbank on your desk. It's more forgiving than a reef tank and more alive than a houseplant, and it scratches an itch that neither hobby quite reaches on its own.

By Colin B. · Published August 9, 2026 · Last reviewed August 9, 2026
a close up of a vase with a plant inside of it

Photo by J. Young Jeong on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Zoo Med Paludarium (12" x 12" x 24") — The Zoo Med Paludarium — purpose-built with a water section and land shelf in one tank.
  2. Josh's Frogs ABG Mix (4 Quart) — Josh's Frogs ABG Mix — the original bioactive substrate that holds moisture and supports plant growth.
  3. hygger Ultra Quiet Submersible Pump (53 GPH) — A quiet mini water pump to keep the water section circulating and oxygenated.
Budget total
$80
Typical total
$175
The tank is the big expense. Substrate, plants, and a small pump fill the rest. Once it's set up, a paludarium costs almost nothing to maintain — just light and the occasional misting.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
TanksZoo MedZoo Med Paludarium (12" x 12" x 24")$$ See on Amazon →
SubstrateJosh's FrogsJosh's Frogs ABG Mix (4 Quart)$ See on Amazon →
Pumps & Waterhyggerhygger Ultra Quiet Submersible Pump (53 GPH)$ See on Amazon →
LightingTerrarium LightPaludarium Plant Grow Light (16 LED, 5W)$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

A paludarium is not an aquarium with some dirt in it. The land and water sections need to be designed together — drainage, water level, and plant placement all interact. Spend an hour watching paludarium build videos before you buy anything. The layout decisions you make before adding water are the ones that matter most.

Start small. A 4-12 gallon tank is plenty for a first paludarium. Bigger tanks are more forgiving (more water volume = more stable parameters), but they're also more expensive and harder to move. Your first build is a learning experience — keep it manageable.

Plants are the star. The most impressive paludariums are dense with plants — moss on the land section, epiphytes on the hardscape, and aquatic plants in the water. Buy more plants than you think you need. Bare spots in a paludarium look unfinished; too many plants is not a real problem.

The gear

What you actually need

Tanks

Paludarium tanks are designed differently from standard aquariums. They're usually taller than they are wide (to accommodate both water and land sections) and often have front-opening doors so you can access the land section without reaching over the water. A few tanks are purpose-built for paludariums with built-in land shelves; others are repurposed terrariums or tall aquariums where you build the land section yourself from foam and substrate.

Zoo Med Paludarium (12" x 12" x 24") Best starter
Zoo Med

Paludarium (12" x 12" x 24")

$$

Our rating

The only mass-market tank specifically designed as a paludarium: a built-in aquarium section on the bottom with a removable land platform above. The dual-function design saves you from engineering your own land shelf. Front doors give access to the land section. 4 gallons of water capacity is enough for small fish or shrimp.

What we like

  • Purpose-built paludarium with integrated water and land sections
  • Front-opening doors for easy access to plants
  • Includes built-in platform — no DIY land shelf needed

What to know

  • Only 4 gallons of water — limits livestock options
  • 12x12 footprint means tight planting space on the land shelf
See on Amazon →
REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Paludarium Tank (24" x 18" x 36") Upgrade pick
REPTI ZOO

67 Gallon Paludarium Tank (24" x 18" x 36")

$$$

Our rating

A dramatically larger option with a 10-inch deep base designed to hold a substantial water section. The knock-down design ships flat and assembles at home. Double hinge doors, a siphon gravel cleaner, and enough volume for a proper aquatic ecosystem on the bottom with a lush tropical land section above.

What we like

  • 67 gallons total volume with 10-inch deep water section
  • Enough room for real fish, not just shrimp
  • Includes siphon gravel cleaner for water section maintenance

What to know

  • Large and heavy when filled — needs a sturdy stand
  • Knock-down assembly requires careful silicone sealing
See on Amazon →
Lifegard Low Iron Glass Paludarium Kit Budget pick
Lifegard

Low Iron Glass Paludarium Kit

$$

Our rating

Ultra-clear low iron glass (92% clarity vs ~85% for standard glass) makes the plants and water look stunning. Comes with an LED light, internal filter, and bulkhead fittings — a complete starter kit in a compact 3.6-gallon package. Perfect for a desk paludarium.

What we like

  • Ultra-clear low iron glass — 92% clarity
  • Includes LED light, filter, and bulkhead fittings
  • Compact size fits on a desk or shelf

What to know

  • 3.6 gallons limits livestock options even more than the Zoo Med
  • Small size means less room for error with water parameters
See on Amazon →
a close up of a pile of dirt

Photo by Juan Aguirre on Unsplash

Substrate

A paludarium needs two substrates: aquarium gravel or soil for the water section, and a moisture-retaining bioactive mix for the land section. ABG mix (developed by the Atlanta Botanical Garden) is the gold standard for the land side — it holds moisture, drains well, and supports both tropical plant roots and the microfauna (springtails, isopods) that keep the soil healthy. For the water section, standard aquarium substrate works fine.

Josh's Frogs ABG Mix (4 Quart) Best starter
Josh's Frogs

ABG Mix (4 Quart)

$

Our rating

The original ABG recipe: charcoal, milled sphagnum moss, fir bark, tree fern fiber, and peat moss. This mix has been the vivarium and paludarium standard for years. It holds enough moisture for tropical plants while draining well enough to prevent root rot. One gallon covers the land section of a small paludarium.

What we like

  • The original ABG recipe — proven in thousands of vivariums
  • Retains moisture while draining well — ideal for tropical plants
  • Supports springtails and isopods for a bioactive cleanup crew

What to know

  • One gallon isn't enough for larger tanks — buy two
  • Contains peat moss, which some builders prefer to avoid
See on Amazon →
Pangea Premium ABG Substrate Budget pick
Pangea

Premium ABG Substrate

$

Our rating

A well-regarded ABG alternative that swaps exact ratios slightly but hits the same functional targets: moisture retention, drainage, and microfauna support. Trusted reptile and vivarium brand. Good value per quart.

What we like

  • Trusted vivarium brand with consistent quality
  • Same functional performance as the Josh's Frogs original
  • Good value per quart for budget builds

What to know

  • Slightly different texture than the Josh's Frogs version
  • Some bags have been reported drier than others
See on Amazon →

Pumps & Water

The water section of a paludarium needs some circulation to stay healthy — stagnant water breeds algae and bacteria. A small submersible pump keeps the water moving and can power a tiny waterfall or drip wall on the land section, which is both functional (humidifying the land plants) and beautiful. You don't need a powerful pump; for a small paludarium, 50 GPH is plenty.

hygger Ultra Quiet Submersible Pump (53 GPH) Best starter
hygger

Ultra Quiet Submersible Pump (53 GPH)

$

Our rating

An extremely quiet 3W mini pump that circulates 53 gallons per hour — perfect for a small paludarium. Comes with two nozzle sizes, and the flow is adjustable. The 6-foot power cord gives you placement flexibility. Many paludarium builders use this exact pump for small waterfalls.

What we like

  • Ultra-quiet operation — can't hear it from across the room
  • Adjustable flow rate suits tiny tanks to small waterfalls
  • Two nozzle sizes included for different tubing

What to know

  • Max lift of 1.7 feet — won't power a tall waterfall
  • Suction cups can lose grip on curved surfaces
See on Amazon →
PULACO Mini Submersible Pump (50 GPH) Budget pick
PULACO

Mini Submersible Pump (50 GPH)

$

Our rating

Similar specs to the hygger at a lower price. 50 GPH flow, 3W power draw, and comes with 3.3 feet of tubing. A solid no-frills option if you just need water moving and don't care about the nozzle variety.

What we like

  • Comes with 3.3 feet of tubing included
  • 2-foot max lift is slightly higher than the hygger
  • Adjustable flow control knob

What to know

  • Slightly noisier than the hygger under load
  • Only one nozzle size included
See on Amazon →
a fish tank with a plant inside of it

Photo by Trần Quang Phú on Unsplash

Lighting

Plants in a paludarium need light — the land plants need it for photosynthesis, and the aquatic plants need it to stay alive in water that's shaded by the land section above. A full-spectrum LED grow light on a timer (8-10 hours per day) is the standard solution. Clip-on lights work well for small tanks; larger tanks may need a dedicated terrarium light bar.

Paludarium Plant Grow Light (16 LED, 5W) Best starter
Terrarium Light

Paludarium Plant Grow Light (16 LED, 5W)

$

Our rating

A compact 5W LED light designed specifically for terrariums and paludariums. 16 LEDs in a full spectrum that supports both land and aquatic plant growth. Small enough to mount on the rim of a nano tank without looking industrial.

What we like

  • Designed specifically for terrarium and paludarium use
  • Full spectrum supports both land and aquatic plants
  • Compact and unobtrusive on small tanks

What to know

  • Only 5W — not enough for very light-hungry plants
  • No built-in timer — you'll need a plug-in timer
See on Amazon →
ACKE Clip-On Full Spectrum Grow Light Upgrade pick
ACKE

Clip-On Full Spectrum Grow Light

$$

Our rating

A more powerful clip-on option with a flexible gooseneck arm and built-in timer. The clamp base attaches to tank rims, shelves, or desks. Full spectrum LED covers the range tropical plants need. The gooseneck lets you angle the light precisely over the land section.

What we like

  • Built-in timer with multiple schedule options
  • Flexible gooseneck positions light exactly where needed
  • Sturdy clamp attaches to rims up to 2 inches thick

What to know

  • Gooseneck can droop under its own weight over time
  • Clamp is bulkier than a purpose-built tank light
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first paludarium build

Building a paludarium is part aquascaping, part gardening, part engineering. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough of your first build — from empty tank to thriving miniature ecosystem in a single weekend.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Exotic tropical plants — Start with hardy species like pothos, ferns, and java moss. Expensive tropicals die fast if your humidity and drainage aren't dialed in.
  • Livestock (frogs, newts, crabs) — Cycle the water section and establish plant growth for 4-6 weeks before adding animals. A stable ecosystem keeps them alive.
  • Automated misting systems — A spray bottle works fine for a small build. Misting systems are for large enclosures or species that need precise humidity schedules.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Choose your tank size — a 20-gallon long is ideal for a first paludarium. · Action
  2. Plan your land-to-water ratio. A 60/40 split gives room for both plant growth and an aquatic zone. · Learn
  3. Build the hardscape: silicone a divider or use expanding foam to create the land shelf. · Action
  4. Add substrate layers — drainage, mesh barrier, ABG mix for the land side; aquasoil or sand for water. · Action
  5. Plant hardy species and fill the water section. Start the filter and let it cycle. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

What's the difference between a paludarium and a vivarium?

A paludarium has both land and water sections — it's a semi-aquatic habitat. A vivarium is a broader term for any enclosed ecosystem, and a terrarium is land-only. If your build has a water feature deep enough to support aquatic life, it's a paludarium.

Do I need a filter for the water section?

Yes, unless the water section is very small. A small internal filter or sponge filter keeps the water clean and provides flow. Stagnant water breeds bacteria and mosquito larvae. Even a simple air-powered sponge filter is enough for most builds.

How do I prevent mold in the land section?

Springtails and isopods are your best defense — they eat mold and decaying plant matter. Add a culture of both when you plant. Good air circulation (a small fan or mesh top) also helps. Some mold during the first few weeks is normal and usually resolves once the cleanup crew establishes.

Can I keep fish in the water section?

Yes, if the water volume is at least 3-5 gallons and you have filtration. Small fish like endlers, ember tetras, or white cloud minnows do well. Avoid anything that needs pristine water parameters — paludarium water tends to be tannin-stained and slightly acidic from the land section's runoff.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

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Vibrant green moss, ivy, and red-leaf plants in a terrarium.

Photo by Mr. Pugo on Unsplash

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