A Few Pictures....

[Mowbz]

A couple of pics i took this morning before getting in with the gravel vac to pick up the bits of c rap floating around!

All cycled and just being fed until i get back from holiday and can start putting fish in. Ill also be adding some plants. I have some moss on the way from a member on here, so i think ill remove some of the silk ones in there now, and get more live ones

Hagen Aquarium
Hagen Twin Ballast (2x18w tubes) (Bought from a member on here, hood modified to fit after original lights gave up)
Fluval U2 Filter
Interpet Heater (Currently shedding its black dots all over the sand)

Opinions.....? (Excuse the crud on the wood, it was gravel vac'd off shortly after )


The disgusting hite buttom on the front was added by the previous owner to negate the little digital screen on the front for controlling the lights. It'll also be removed this afternoon...!

 

[SchottayB]

Nice pictures, always love having a nose at other peoples tanks

How come you don't fill the tank up with water? I see many people doing this, is there a reason for it? That's the only thing I don't like seeing, but I suppose if there is a reason for it then it can't be helped eh .

Would also get a background on there !

 

[minnnt]

I have the smaller 55 litre version of this tank, they're great.

I would move the wood off centre though, looks a bitt too placed. And get a background too, alters the tanks appearance drastically.

 

[Mowbz]

Its just to minimise water splashing all over the light unit in what is a poorly designed hood by Hagen. Ive heavily modified the inside of the hood to take a much newer type light system, but only in so far as to accept the size of the new ballast (which is now where the original in hood filter was) and the connectors. The lights are behind a clear removable panel, and this hangs lower the the rest of the hood, towards the water. I have my filter blowing water up towards the surface for good oxygenation, but the outlet incorporates an air inlet to make a bubble stream and while it looks nice, it sprays water all over the bottom of the lamp unit causing condensation and limescale EVERYWHERE!

Ill upload some pics and you'll see.....

EDIT: On the subject of backgrounds, there isnt one on there as the one it came with was terrible, and ive not found any nice ones. Any suggestions?

 

[SchottayB]

Ah right I'm with you now . My water level is always up to the line (can't see the water level when looking at the tank face on). Every time I open the lid to feed or what ever the light unit is dripping! Putting Juewl on the edge with there "fully water proof light unit" lol.

I'd either paint the back black, or get a blue/black reversible from eBay. And see what looks best. It will help a lot with lighting and focus on fish / plants when they are in

 

[Mowbz]

I think someone else said about having black, gives the tank more depth? I did briefly look for a plain black one but couldnt find one, didnt think to paint it!

So here is the ballast unit. Its sitting as said, where the original Tropiquarium filter would have been. The white wiring connector blocks are where the original wiring from the hood has been removed. There was a 240v feed in, supplying the internal light ballast (also now removed), the filter, and built in heater. Both were missing when i acquired the tank!

This is what the underside of the hood looks like (Yes, i broke the clear screen, dropped it on the slate tiles in the kitchen!) Lots of limescale! (I imagine from mass evaporation, tank has been at 30'c for the cycle)

This is where the bulk of the modification was. The now square holes were much smaller and round. They had the lamp holders you which you pushed the connectors into a slot, and twist the bulb to secure. These and all associated wiring had to be removed to fit the new connectors and bulb holders in, but i managed to house it all inside the original usit. (Bit of careful measuring!

EDIT: Just noticed my bulbs are a different wattage. Would love to know how the hell i have 15w bulbs in there....

 

[ATK!!!]

Ah right I'm with you now . My water level is always up to the line (can't see the water level when looking at the tank face on). Every time I open the lid to feed or what ever the light unit is dripping! Putting Juewl on the edge with there "fully water proof light unit" lol.

I'd either paint the back black, or get a blue/black reversible from eBay. And see what looks best. It will help a lot with lighting and focus on fish / plants when they are in

+1 Black is a great colour for a background, fish and plants look amazing against it!

 

[SchottayB]

I see what you mean now lol. Criky thats some mods gone in to that! Thought there would be a reason behind it

 

[Delloy12]

I dunno why but fish shops around here seem to use blue backgrounds

 

[Mowbz]

I see what you mean now lol. Criky thats some mods gone in to that! Thought there would be a reason behind it

Too be honest it wasnt really too difficult, just quite a long job measuring up and cutting it all out. If you look a the pic of the underside of the hood, you can see there is about another three inches and i've pre cut slots out so that if in future i need bigger bulbs, i can squeeze a few extra inches in there, as Hagen are fairly generous with their cabling!

 

[Proxo]

Nice tank, agree with the black background

How come you don't fill the tank up with water? I see many people doing this, is there a reason for it?

I heard it can help with oxygen levels too, true or not i couldn't tell you. I have mine abit low as my fluval tends to leak from the top corner

 

[gavinjayanand]

I'd agree with the black background. Don't paint it though, might get a bit messy. I'd recommend some heavy black craft card, something like this

All the best and good luck!

Gavin

 

[minnnt]

Black bag or wall paper sample.

Black bag or wall paper sample.

 

[fishy_momma]

I used a black garbage bag for the back of the tank. A heavy duty bag, like you would use out in the yard/garden. Cheap and waterproof.