Luc's 4-feet Tank

[wei0204]

My neighbour has sold me this whole set of aquarium in quite good price recently, a 4-feet tank with about 96W of lighting, an Eheim filter, CO2 tank, etc.

I have set it up and it is running quite ok for now... I am just too new to a big tank like this and new to all the "advance" equipments came together. I have just simply planted some plants and having some fishes in it while it is cycling.

Still waiting for which day the inspiration strike me... haaa....

I just have no idea yet on how to scape the tank... Will let it be for now...

I am making the tank as a divider, so it has got 3 viewable panels, front, side and back.

These are some pics to share.

Front,

Back,

Side,

Front in closer view,

Back view of the wood,

Ideas are welcome.

I will post updated pics once I have done any changes...

 

[lljdma06]

I really like it. It's nice to see the tank from different angles. I like the tea-colored water, very pretty. I am partial to tannic tanks, though, so others may not like it so much. The wood is pretty cool. I only have 2 concerns/suggestions really.

Your room is very bright. I'd be on guard for sunlight hitting the tank, unless this is what you want. I personally love it, as the dawn can trigger spawning and sunlight brings out the colors of some fish, but you may have to adjust your lighting accordingly.

Have you thought about moving the wood? It is a bit center for my taste. Perhaps it would look better more towards the wall? At least that is where I would have put it if it were me. I also would have added another piece or position the pieces so that there was a gradual slope, the highest point near the wall, and the lowest towards the center and final third of the tank. But that is just me. You would still be able to view from three sides, but I think that you might have a better composition and you'd create a bit more top swimming space for the fish. Perhaps the wood will not lend itself to that type of compostion, though. I don't know what you have.

Otherwise, it has the potential to be another lovely, natural-looking scape. Great job!

Beautiful tile floor. It is nice to have tile isn't it? It covers my whole house and I'll never have carpet again.

llj

 

[wei0204]

Haaa... what a lovely reply from u llj...

To answer you, for your concern on the sun light, it isn't a problem to me as I have sun-light-blocking curtain which can clock the sunlight nearly 100%. I normally leave the curtain open in the morning and close it in the afternoon till evening.

Initially the wood I placed it on the side near to wall, but I found it not so outstanding and comment from friends also not too positive. Then I moved it to the middle, thinking of placing it not too centre but I just can't as the wood is slightly too tall so it can't be moved and placed according to what I want much. So I think for now I will keep it as it is till I could position it in a better position.

I just love your reply llj...

Thank you very much...

 

[wei0204]

I am supplying the tank with 2-3 bubbles of CO2 per second, just wondering is that enough? I don't see any sign of pearling till today (about 2 weeks). Please advice... Thank you in advance...

 

[lljdma06]

I am supplying the tank with 2-3 bubbles of CO2 per second, just wondering is that enough? I don't see any sign of pearling till today (about 2 weeks). Please advice... Thank you in advance...

I know it's a 4-foot tank, but how many gallons does it have? If you have less than 2WPG, you may not see pearling. Plant growth isn't fast enough, and CO2 just isn't being consumed enough to produce the excess O2 bubbles. You may also be driving off CO2 if you've got surface agitation. I don't see pearling in my tanks. It's not that big a deal, really. Who wants a tank full of bubbles anyways?

llj

 

[wei0204]

The measurement for the tank is 4ft X 1.5ft X 1.5ft, should it be how many gallons?

My worry on no pearling is because of I am not 100% sure that the connection is right and not sure are there any leaking somewhere or not, since this is my first experince so I would be more cautious and careful.

I will need some time to observe the tank and hope will feel good soon... haaa...

Thank you llj for the info.

 

[lljdma06]

Poo on you for making me do math at 8:30am! It's about 65g or so about 1.47WPG, give or take, certainly no where near 2WPG. But you are right, it is a larger tank.

llj

 

[wei0204]

Haaaa.... so funny. Btw thank you llj... At least now I know why it didn't pearl.

A good exercise for u in a great morning, haaa...

 

[ICEEGRL]

Could the piece of wood be placed on its side with the bottom facing the wall? It is a beautiful tank, but the wood being in the center looks a bit odd with the position of the tank. You would have a great look if you could manage the slope previously mentioned. Is the wood all one piece? It might work better if it were two so you could stand one up and lay the other one down. (kind of like a broken limb...)
I love where you put the tank. I have considered doing the same thing. I can't until my little one gets older though. I am afraid it would end up getting in the floor instead of on the stand.
If you can't move it back toward the wall... Maybe you could add some tall plants between it and the wall to sort of fill the gap some. That might help.

 

[wei0204]

Yes the wood is in a whole piece, it is quite huge to me... I think I can't move it already as it is stucked (on top of the tank there are 2 pieces of glasses to support the tank), the piece of wood is stucked between the two pieces of glasses so I think I don't want to take the risk to move it as it might break the tank...

I will try to use some plants to help in beautifying the tank...

Anyway thank you for the very good suggestion...

 

[lljdma06]

A good exercise for u in a great morning, haaa...

Oh shut-up!

Could the piece of wood be placed on its side with the bottom facing the wall? It is a beautiful tank, but the wood being in the center looks a bit odd with the position of the tank. You would have a great look if you could manage the slope previously mentioned. Is the wood all one piece? It might work better if it were two so you could stand one up and lay the other one down. (kind of like a broken limb...)

These are the days when a small hand-saw becomes your best friend. I cut wood all the time.

llj

 

[wei0204]

Mmm... yeah, but don't expect me to saw the wood when it is in the tank, haaa....

Seriously, I just can't move the wood anymore...

I have added in plants and rocks today, will post some pics to share soon....

I have added a 2-feet lighting to one side of the tank (the side further from the wall) and it started to pearl now (only one side), haaa... I have arranged the plants that needed higher lighting to one side and the other side with lower lighting is used for mosses...

Oppppsss, yeah, should I throw another maths question to you my dear llj?

 

[lljdma06]

Oppppsss, yeah, should I throw another maths question to you my dear llj?

Go for it Lucius, it's the afternoon in Miami, FL and I've had sufficient coffee for the day.

The changes sound interesting, looking forward to the pictures. Just put in the final piece of wood in my 20g and I think it looks really good. I'll update my thread too when I take pictures.

 

[wei0204]

Haaa... just kidding...

I have taken some pics yesterday, just uploaded to my pc and noticed few of the full tank pictures are blury (not good in photographing)... so will just share few which are in better quality.

Will try to get a full tank shot soon...

 

[ICEEGRL]

Looking good so far. I can't wait to see how it looks... full tank. I think it is going to be very nice.