Looking For Inspiration

[Saint Cuthbert]

Has anyone got any links to good looking aquariums. Looking for some inspiration.
Preferably planted, tropical tanks that are smaller in size.

Haven't got enough time to wade through "rate my tank" and other sights - only got net access at lunchtime at work.

 

[Callum]

try the planted tanks forum, they have plenty of pictures there or members aquariums and pictures forum

 

[keepsfalling]

Don't know about any websites or anything but what I tend to do is go to my favourite fish store who are a private family business and are really helpful. He's taught me a good way to see what a tank will look like once planted...

You set out an area as big as the base of your tank and then choose some plants and just plonk them in the "tank" where ever you like and move and/or swap them around until they look right.. Trying different combinations of plants until they work.

I guess the only drawback to this is some LFS don't have enough time/trust to be able to help people with things like that and a lot of them don't like you just grabbing plants out of their tanks and putting them back in etc., a lot of them I guess also don't have the space for people to do this with loads of customers roaming about.

If you have a shop near you that would be willing to let you do this I reckon it's the best way to know *exactly* what it'll look like once it's all set up.

My boyfriend has just mentioned this site - "thepufferforum" click on the link on the left - "tank of the month" - they're all pretty big but hella awesome and might give you some ideas

 

[SarahFish]

if you go fot a good looking tank you surely want a planted one; it'a amazing what you can do with some aquatic plants, imagination and good light

 

[voo]

Here's some galleries of planted tanks
http/www.adaeuro.com/gallery.asp

http/showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2006.cgi
(Select the year you'd like to view at the top, then view entries.

http/www.pbase.com/plantella/nature_aquarium_gallery_2005

http/www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/detected.php?page=&pass=

 

[Callum]

if you go fot a good looking tank you surely want a planted one; it'a amazing what you can do with some aquatic plants, imagination and good light

if you have a large budget though it costs a fortune c02 canisters, substrate, T5 luminaires , plant food

 

[voo]

Are you sure this is right? I just see a lot of people? Someone's photo album, but no tanks

Here's the smaller tank category...

http/www.imagestation.com/album/pictures...l?id=2101704566

 

[Callum]

your right i see no tanks

 

[Callum]

wow those are beautiful tanks

 

[SarahFish]

if you go fot a good looking tank you surely want a planted one; it'a amazing what you can do with some aquatic plants, imagination and good light

if you have a large budget though it costs a fortune c02 canisters, substrate, T5 luminaires , plant food

not really, the co2 is not such a big problem, you just need a glucose system

the only cost would be for the fertilisants

 

[Callum]

in my opinion in setting up a planted tank i would go all out not the middle method and a decent pressurised c02 system is about a £100 to £200 . (im not a fan of glucose methods) + a substrate like eco complete for a 4 foot tank can cost a mini fortune and T5' are expensive too. However you can go the low tech method but it's slow growth.

 

[callum_parsons]

i think the ehiem ones look very cool and would be great for a planted tank but they are slighlt pricey

 

[piper]

in my opinion in setting up a planted tank i would go all out not the middle method and a decent pressurised c02 system is about a �100 to �200 . (im not a fan of glucose methods) + a substrate like eco complete for a 4 foot tank can cost a mini fortune and T5' are expensive too. However you can go the low tech method but it's slow growth.

I agree you have to spend alot of money for a good set up on a large tank. My Substrate alone cost me £100, then £130 for lights (still need to spend another £130). Haven't got my CO2 set up but that looks like its gonna cost £150+. Its alot of money if you want to do it right. But worth it