Electricity
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- Joined
- Oct 16, 2007
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Ok, I'm not entirely sure how to describe what I'm trying to do, but here goes.
First, a bit of back story, a friend of mine recently gave me a 35 gallon hex tank, and a magnum 350 canister filter. The tank leaks up and down one side, but I think I'll be able to resilicon it. The filter works great.
This tank is going to go into a paintball and airsoft shop that a friend of mine are opening. I know i know, It has nothing to do with anything, but it should be a fun project. The idea that I've come up with centers around something i found in my lfs recently.
Floating moss balls! These things facinate me! I picked one up, and put it in my 20g. Basicly, it is a ball of moss, that floats on the end of a piece of fishing line, and is weighted.
These mossballs got me thinking, and I want to build the 35g around them. I want to create some sort of surreal forest inside of the tank. I'd like to make multi-tiered platforms that go up the sides of the tank. Add some spires, walkways, and ofcourse moss balls. And maybe even a floating island, right in the middle. If i can figure it out. The problem is, I have no idea how to create these kinds of things. Especialy if I want to grow plants/moss on them.
here are a few random images, that contain the types of shapes I'd like to incorperate. (i'm going to link to them, as to not clutter this page with pictures).
http
/www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/936/658027.JPG
http/humanities.cqu.edu.au/geography/GEO...lTermiteMnd.jpg
http/images.elfwood.com/art/w/e/weathers...g.rZd.77332.jpg
http/images.epilogue.net/users/leoarts/laputa.jpg
http/www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/65/waterfall.jpg (minus the waterfall)
http/cache.virtualtourist.com/3060528-NA...ural_Bridge.jpg
I'm thinking of using drift wood for some parts. But I'm afraid it doesn't offer the versitility that I'm looking for, or other wise would require extensive searching to find the 'right' piece. Plus, its relatively expensive. While cost is not a huge factor, I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars on wood...
One thought that I had for the platforms/bridges, is to drill holes into a piece of plexi, that fits alongside one side of the tank and attaching a platform to it. as far as the creation of the platforms and spires, the only thing I've come up with is either clay, or woven wires, filled with dirt/sand/gravel, then wrapped in java moss and hair netting. it would give the look I want, but only if the moss grew very well.
As far as plants go, it will mostly be moss/lawn style plants, with a few larger ones here and there for effect.
Inhabitants are probably going to be mostly shrimp, a few snails, and some tetras. I'd love to throw a larger cray or two in aswell, but only if they get along with everybody. I'm also considering triops. as they themselves are surreal looking critters.
Any help on any aspect of this project would be vary helpful. Including how I'm going to light this thing. (I'm almost considering submergable lights to go under the platforms/island, so that they don't block all the light to the ground floor.
Anyway, much regards!
-E
First, a bit of back story, a friend of mine recently gave me a 35 gallon hex tank, and a magnum 350 canister filter. The tank leaks up and down one side, but I think I'll be able to resilicon it. The filter works great.
This tank is going to go into a paintball and airsoft shop that a friend of mine are opening. I know i know, It has nothing to do with anything, but it should be a fun project. The idea that I've come up with centers around something i found in my lfs recently.
Floating moss balls! These things facinate me! I picked one up, and put it in my 20g. Basicly, it is a ball of moss, that floats on the end of a piece of fishing line, and is weighted.
These mossballs got me thinking, and I want to build the 35g around them. I want to create some sort of surreal forest inside of the tank. I'd like to make multi-tiered platforms that go up the sides of the tank. Add some spires, walkways, and ofcourse moss balls. And maybe even a floating island, right in the middle. If i can figure it out. The problem is, I have no idea how to create these kinds of things. Especialy if I want to grow plants/moss on them.
here are a few random images, that contain the types of shapes I'd like to incorperate. (i'm going to link to them, as to not clutter this page with pictures).
http
/www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/936/658027.JPGhttp
/humanities.cqu.edu.au/geography/GEO...lTermiteMnd.jpghttp
/images.elfwood.com/art/w/e/weathers...g.rZd.77332.jpghttp
/images.epilogue.net/users/leoarts/laputa.jpghttp
/www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/65/waterfall.jpg (minus the waterfall)http
/cache.virtualtourist.com/3060528-NA...ural_Bridge.jpgI'm thinking of using drift wood for some parts. But I'm afraid it doesn't offer the versitility that I'm looking for, or other wise would require extensive searching to find the 'right' piece. Plus, its relatively expensive. While cost is not a huge factor, I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars on wood...
One thought that I had for the platforms/bridges, is to drill holes into a piece of plexi, that fits alongside one side of the tank and attaching a platform to it. as far as the creation of the platforms and spires, the only thing I've come up with is either clay, or woven wires, filled with dirt/sand/gravel, then wrapped in java moss and hair netting. it would give the look I want, but only if the moss grew very well.
As far as plants go, it will mostly be moss/lawn style plants, with a few larger ones here and there for effect.
Inhabitants are probably going to be mostly shrimp, a few snails, and some tetras. I'd love to throw a larger cray or two in aswell, but only if they get along with everybody. I'm also considering triops. as they themselves are surreal looking critters.
Any help on any aspect of this project would be vary helpful. Including how I'm going to light this thing. (I'm almost considering submergable lights to go under the platforms/island, so that they don't block all the light to the ground floor.
Anyway, much regards!
-E
