A follow-up update on our UNS Foresta 35E paludarium, a couple months after the original freshwater (FW) build, covering the changes we made as the tank matured.
Background Upgrade
We swapped in UNS's newer Foresta pads, which now ship pre-covered in Christmas moss with exposed tie-in strings for adding your own plants underneath — a big improvement over manually tying moss and plants to bare pads. After about a month, growth on the Christmas moss, Coffeefolia anubias, and driftwood-mounted plants has filled in nicely.
Hardscape Adjustment
We removed a large piece of wood that had been blocking light and visibility to both the fish and plants behind it, opening up better exposure across the layout.
New Plants Added
Staurogyne Repens (ground cover, also grows tall)
Aluminum plant
Additional cryptocorynes
Hygrophila Pinnatifida — expected to grow emersed over time
Livestock
Endler's livebearers and a mix of colorful Neocaridina shrimp round out the tank.
Lighting Upgrade
Swapped from a Kessil to a TwinStar B-Line light, which delivers just the right power for strong lower-tank plant growth while still broadcasting enough light to the exposed emersed plants above the waterline.
Want to build your own paludarium? The UNS Foresta 35E is available at our Lauderhill store. Shop TwinStar B-Line lighting at natureaquariums.com.
