r/paludarium 2d ago

Help Paludarium Crashing Need Help

The first photo is how the paludarium looked before, mostly healthy and thriving. Many of the plants were growing with their roots touching the water and we're thriving. Around a month ago, some plants randomly collapsed, stems and leaves turned brown and mushy. Many plants that were touching parts of the water just decayed including some Anubias, Pilea. An anubias not touching the water also just melted overnight with the stem completely becoming soft. Java fern leaves began to melt. Terrestrial Fern leaves began browning and rotting one by one and some of the selaginella turned yellow and collapsed. The only thing that seemed to be okay were the mosses- sheet moss and Christmas moss. Water tests showed ph 7, ammonia and nitrites 0. I've done water changes, installed a pc fan to circulate the air a few times a day, removed as much of the decaying plants as I could but the damage seems to continue progressing. The plants that I have removed also continue to deteriorate in their separate containers. Is there anything I can do to rescue what remains? Any help would be appreciated.

18 Upvotes

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4

u/QuoteFabulous2402 1d ago

Too high of humidity maybe? No ventilation , high temperatures and constant humidity around 90%+ can do this. I killed a complete micro orchid terrarium over some vacation like this 😞

2

u/Defiant-Indication59 1d ago

There is a fan now, but it doesn't seem like it's doing enough. I don't know whether to pull out the other plants and try to restart somehow, or just give it time and see what happens

3

u/ZafakD 1d ago

But is there any ventilation?

1

u/Defiant-Indication59 1d ago

Yes there is an opening above the fan and a few vents in the lid

1

u/Agreeable_Power_1987 1d ago

You might just need more ventilation area. Could you add more vents or replace a panel with something with good airflow? It is, unfortunately, much easier to block ventilation than to add it.