Brooklyngal

so I'm setting up a 29g in my room; it will have about an inch and a half of dirt and then a layer of either gravel or sand on top, depending on what I decide to keep in the tank. this is the second NPT tank I'm setting up, so I do have some experience.

I'm planning to soak the dirt in buckets overnight, then stir, let settle for like 15min, then drain, and repeat that process twice, and then perhaps let dry out overnight. my question is is it safe to let it dry overnight? we have a lot of stray cats around us (I live in the city) and my dogs might mess with it, although I suppose I could put it on an elevated surface, like a table...

I'm thinking about making it a paludarium with a small waterfall and handful of emersed plants. if I go this route, I'll be using one or two sponge filters as filtration, and filling the tank only about 12" high.

if I do decide to do a paludarium, I would love suggestons for something that might use the land portion a little. can't be anything that needs to eat live prey, however. frozen worms are fine, though.

also- could I do shrimp? I was thinking maybe some cherries to start, and eventually perhaps a few other strains.

I may still just decide to do a standard NPT tank, but am trying to make the most interesting looking tank I can and already have a normal planted tank.