Diy Homebase Aquarium?

[Mackaa]

Hi All,


I'm thinking of making a cheap, yet functional aquarium.
For the tank, I would like to use something like this:
http/www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0239167

Now, I would like to use a light such as this:
http/www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store...ghting|12079530


Would this light be safe to use as it is not waterproof?
Could I screw this to the underside of the lid?
Could I light it from above the lid, or would this not allow enough light through?

These are my initial concerns.
I would then fit a filter and bubbler.


For those interested, the aquarium will be used for Triops, which I have raised for years and have a very good knowledge of and how to create a suitable environment for them.

I would like help with the proposed aquarium plan and how to improve my ideas.

I hope someone can help.


Regards

Mackaa

 

[Truck]

you cant see through the plastic very well, ive got one, and do triops need light?

 

[rabbut]

Should work OK, storage crates are a realy cheap way to reduce the costs of raising fry E.T.C.

I would use the light above the lid, as it is not waterproof. Keep it away from the water and it shoud be fine

Filters, I would look at an air driven sponge filter for it

to TFF

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Mackaa]

you cant see through the plastic very well, ive got one, and do triops need light?

Seeing through the plastic is no problem. During the first 3 days, I've observed a maximum level of hatching when the tank is lit 24/7.
After this, it's good to keep them on a normal light cycle.

Should work OK, storage crates are a realy cheap way to reduce the costs of raising fry E.T.C.

I would use the light above the lid, as it is not waterproof. Keep it away from the water and it shoud be fine

Filters, I would look at an air driven sponge filter for it

to TFF

All the best
Rabbut

I'm thinking of putting a max of 60Litres in the 80Litre box. Therefore there should be quite a lot of room between the water level and the light, and Triops don't splash at all.
Do you think that it would get humid in the tank?
Humidity possibly getting into the electrics of the light?

 

[rabbut]

Do you think that it would get humid in the tank?
Humidity possibly getting into the electrics of the light?

That would be exactly my concern For safetys sake, keep it above the cover, or you may get a shock when you next look in the tank

 

[Mackaa]

Do you think that it would get humid in the tank?
Humidity possibly getting into the electrics of the light?

That would be exactly my concern For safetys sake, keep it above the cover, or you may get a shock when you next look in the tank

Hmm, yes definitely sounds like the better option. But how to mount it and make sure that enough light goes through the quite opaque lid?

 

[rabbut]

Do you think that it would get humid in the tank?
Humidity possibly getting into the electrics of the light?

That would be exactly my concern For safetys sake, keep it above the cover, or you may get a shock when you next look in the tank

Hmm, yes definitely sounds like the better option. But how to mount it and make sure that enough light goes through the quite opaque lid?

Where's it going? Possibly something near-by that you could fix it to?

 

[Mackaa]

It will be against a wall, but I am unable to drill into the wall to mount a light (rented property).

 

[rabbut]

That figures.... No shelves near-by e.t.c?

 

[Mackaa]

That figures.... No shelves near-by e.t.c?

There are, but they are very high up compared to the level of the tank. I also have no way of elevating the tank above floor-level.

 

[rabbut]

Tie some string into the holes of the light where the screws are supposed to go and set the hight by getting the correct length of string. After that, hang it on hooks or gaffa tape the string to the shelves if hooks aren't allowed You could also tie onto the support brackets for the shelves, depending upon how they are designed

 

[Mackaa]

Tie some string into the holes of the light where the screws are supposed to go and set the hight by getting the correct length of string. After that, hang it on hooks or gaffa tape the string to the shelves if hooks aren't allowed You could also tie onto the support brackets for the shelves, depending upon how they are designed

Now thats a good idea! Great.

But I still have the problem of the quite opaque lid to the storage box.

 

[andywg]

But I still have the problem of the quite opaque lid to the storage box.

Either some large condensation trays from an lfs, or a sheet of acrylic used for green house windows placed on top.

 

[malakye]

couldnt you get clear perspex and sit it on top instead of the lid with holes drilled one end for air etc and you could have the light at the other end? Or cut a hole in the lid and put perspex over the hole with the light shining through it.

 

[tom_os]

cut a chunk out of the lid to allow enought light through, but the light would still be raised engouh for it not to get splashed.