'l' Shaped Tank Help!

[Jojozeff]

Hi everyone

This is my first post so sorry if I go on a bit but I want to get this right!

I've kept 2 60L tropical tanks for the last few years so I'm planning on upgrading to a larger, single tank as to be honest I'm finding it a lot of work keeping them both looking good!

I've just bought and L shaped tank, tho both sides are the same length. In inches the dimensions are 36x36x16x12 I'm thinking about 195L???

Firstly it's stand. I'm planning on having 3 columns made out of bricks stacked 2 high. One for each corner. I've ordered a piece of ply wood about 3/4" thick cut to shape, and the tank comes on polystyrene. I'm thinking that'll be fine???

I'm planning on keeping both fluval 2 filters from the old tanks, both air stones, and both heaters.

I'll put both air stones to use, I presume that'll oxidise the tank enough???

How many heaters will I need, will 1 in the middle do the job? 1 at each end? Or will I need a new one? I'm afraid I cant remember how strong my current ones are, tho the element's are about 8" long.

I'm planning on using both fluval 2 filters for the first month while all the levels adjust etc, 1 at each end?? Would I have to get another 1 in the middle and if so would a good one do the lot?

I'm having a struggle with the lights. The tank has 2 sliding glass lids, and there aren't any lips to attach lights. Ideally I need some that I can just pick up and take off. Do I need 20w per square foot (100w) for good plant growth? I need to keep things as cheap as possible so could I use 2 2ft lights and if so what ones. Would they reflect off the glass?? I have 2 cats otherwise I'd leave the lids off! I'll be shopping online.

Also, I'm probably overcautious, but would there be a problem with preasure on the glass?

All help greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Hi

Please say you bought this from eBay? I have been looking for feedback from a buyer, lush-lola? Is the tank good quality?

Ill try to answer your questions below...

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Hi everyone

This is my first post so sorry if I go on a bit but I want to get this right!

I've kept 2 60L tropical tanks for the last few years so I'm planning on upgrading to a larger, single tank as to be honest I'm finding it a lot of work keeping them both looking good!

I've just bought and L shaped tank, tho both sides are the same length. In inches the dimensions are 36x36x16x12 I'm thinking about 195L???

Firstly it's stand. I'm planning on having 3 columns made out of bricks stacked 2 high. One for each corner. I've ordered a piece of ply wood about 3/4" thick cut to shape, and the tank comes on polystyrene. I'm thinking that'll be fine???

It may need some timber support between each but it isn't a massive amount weight but just becuase of the shape, not many people will have experience of stands for this shape.

I'm planning on keeping both fluval 2 filters from the old tanks, both air stones, and both heaters.

I'll put both air stones to use, I presume that'll oxidise the tank enough???

Air stones is not a massive deal, theyr most for decorative purposes, you only need to agitate the surface, not actually pump bubbles lol. you could just turn your filter towards the surface for oxygenation

How many heaters will I need, will 1 in the middle do the job? 1 at each end? Or will I need a new one? I'm afraid I cant remember how strong my current ones are, tho the element's are about 8" long.

one at each end should be fine

I'm planning on using both fluval 2 filters for the first month while all the levels adjust etc, 1 at each end?? Would I have to get another 1 in the middle and if so would a good one do the lot?

Two would be best, at either end, you could do one as long as you have a current that doesn't let one end of the tank stay still

I'm having a struggle with the lights. The tank has 2 sliding glass lids, and there aren't any lips to attach lights. Ideally I need some that I can just pick up and take off. Do I need 20w per square foot (100w) for good plant growth? I need to keep things as cheap as possible so could I use 2 2ft lights and if so what ones. Would they reflect off the glass?? I have 2 cats otherwise I'd leave the lids off! I'll be shopping online.

plant growth dpeends on what setup you're going for, 1w per gallon is plenty for general slow-growing plants. Do not overlight your tank is may cause algae problems, 1 T5 bulb at each side (if that makes sense) would be fine. you could make your own hood? You just need a controller which you can run a couple bulbs from. Pretty simple really... There some good DIY info on here

Also, I'm probably overcautious, but would there be a problem with preasure on the glass?

In terms of the stand? the tanks is braced so it should be fine.

All help greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Some other things

Your heaters may not be enough for a 200l tank, they could only be 50w each so think about selling them and picking up a new 150w for about a tenner

Your filters are probably not enough for a 200l tank either, consider selling and upgrading to one external. You could have the inlet at one end and the outlet at the other

 

[Jojozeff]

Hi
I'm waiting to buy at the moment - just waiting for lush-Lola to get back regarding a couple of queries!
Are you awaiting yours then?
Yeah was thinking of buying an external filter for exactly that.
So would u say I should get 50-60w of light?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Im looking for a custom tank atm, have seen lush-lola but wanted some feedback from someone who has bought from them, so would be great if you could do a short review if you have time, the prices are very reasonable!

Yeah you could get a couple of 39w tubes and a controller, on eBay search Hagen Glo controller, there about £30 but cheaper than buying two light pendants

 

[Jojozeff]

Yes I will do, providing I don't buckle with the endless thought of how to aquascape it!

Yeah a fellow fish keeping friend suggested the same sort of thing, tho I would then need to buy or make a reflective hood, it's still going to cost the best part of £150.

I'm looking at the BUYO T5 14W x 3 overhead lamp. It's 2ft long, surely a couple of them would do the job?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah that would be fine, just make sure you can find the bulbs easily over here

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Jojozeff.
In a typical room, you could heat your new tank with a total of about 200 to 250 watts. If you have 2 filters, I would simply put one at the outer end of each branch and call it good for filtration until you can get a larger filter for your new 190 litres volume. As far as multiple heaters and multiple filters, as long as you can get good circulation in both branches of your tank, single heaters and a single filter should be enough. With an external you could put the inlet in one end and the return in the other end and be assured of good circulation.
As long as you can get a nice even height from your stacked bricks, the plywood you propose to use should be plenty for a very nice support.

 

[Jojozeff]

Ok thank you.
It turns out the guy's made me a board of MDF. I'm aware of the warping etc but It's cut to an exact fit and I'm planning on sealing it and glossing. Would this still be ok?
Just to confirm, 3 brick towers (12.5"x8.5"), placed right at the 2 ends, with the 3rd placed at a 45degree angle corner to corner!?
Also I'm looking at Eco complete substrate? Can anyone describe what it looks like? Is there a better substrate for a plant and fish tank?
Thanks for the useful comments!

 

[OldMan47]

You do not want any bending forces on the bottom of your tank. That is the most common reason for a joint to fail. As long as the MDF is sealed and well supported, it should be fine. When I build a stand from concrete blocks, we all do it sooner or later, I make sure to place the block to fully support ther entire tank depth, from front to back. That way the boards I use don't bend the way they might around a smaller block.

 

[Jojozeff]

You know your stuff don't ya!

Ok I've just had a thought, I'd like to use 2 different substrates in the tank, the eco complete for the plants and a light gravel for the slate areas.
Any idea how I can create a partition for the 2? Is there a wood that'd be best?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I asked a similar question couple days ago, check out the answer I got, will probably answer for you

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/359399-new-custom-tank/page__p__2994669#entry2994669

Did you buy tha tank yet?

 

[bae1994]

Well were picking up a tank Friday from them so I'll let you know then of the quality if you like

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Sounds good. It will be great if we can find a local maker, with reasonable prices that isn;t making all their money from the Marine trade...

 

[Jojozeff]

Yeah definitely, tho I hope the feedback is good or I'll be bricking it! Lol
I've decided on the partition, will use the cardboard technique whilst putting the substrates in, and then break up some slate to form a little fence, approx 3cm above the substrate level.
I've found some more lights, 2x24w t5s 6600k from an online hydroponic store. I've been reading that some planted tanks have 75w+ per sq ft, do they really need that? My tank will be fairly heavily planted in the last sq ft of each end. Also the guy I'm buying the lights from advised that I'd need bulbs with about 10000k, tho I've read online that 6000k is enough! If I needed I could put a 10000k bulb in each light as long as it was 24w right?