10G with custom lighting - Photo Log

[Azimuth]

Well, I got antsy waiting around for a decent 75G to show up on CL.
So I pulled a 10G out of my garage to play with for now.

I wanted to make this a planted tank so I started with ensuring I had decent lighting.

A trip to Lowes yielded a nice fixture that would hold 2 CFL bulbs.
This fixture should allow me to add higher wattage bulbs if needed

 

[Azimuth]

I had the old 15W light that came with the aquarium, so I decided to use the housing.

I removed the bulb and the fixture with ballast. I wanted to keep the switch on the light so I made sure I removed the circuit after the switch.

Here it is after I had filed down the fixture and made it fit inside the old housing.

 

[OniTweak]

I thought about doing something like that but with a different type of bulb. Keep us informed I want to see how it works out for you.

 

[Azimuth]

I bought a big bag of pool filter sand to use as substrate and a new AquaClear 20 -thanks to Alaris and FishEggs for the recommendation.

I added the pool filter sand and a small piece of drift wood I had from before.

 

[rich311k]

You may want some kind of reflector behind the bulbs to get more light in the tank.

 

[Azimuth]

You may want some kind of reflector behind the bulbs to get more light in the tank.

I think you are right. I am still waiting for the Liquid Nails that I used to affix the fixture to the housing to dry.

I will either add some kind of flexi mirror material or aluminum foil.

 

[rich311k]

Excellent.

 

[Purrbox]

Aluminum Foil tends to scatter light in all directions rather than directing it into an aquarium. You'd actually be better off painting the interior white over using Aluminum Foil.

 

[Azimuth]

Krylon: Products: Premium Metallic
I wonder if I can pick some up tonight.

 

[OniTweak]

Wal-Mart carries that i believe

 

[Azimuth]

Here is the tank with the lights and plants. I still have not painted the inside of the light housing, that will probably happen tomorrow.
The water has not cleared up yet despite 2 hours of rinsing the pool filter sand.
I added some polishing media to the filter.
I still have to buy some micro sward and other carpet plants (hopefully tomorrow).
Then I need to decide if tiger barbs really are what I want in this tank.
I'm starting to lean away from them in favor of something that stays a little smaller.

Left Side

Right Side

 

[rich311k]

Tiger barbs need to be in groups and they will out grow the tank, pick something else. The sand should clear in a day or two. Nice start!

 

[FishEggs]

i've used that paint on some plastic r/c truck rims and it really isn't that shiny. maybe some mylar sheeting although i dont know how heat resistant it is. i just polished up a piece of aluminum i had to make a reflector for the light i'm making.

 

[Azimuth]

Tiger barbs need to be in groups and they will out grow the tank, pick something else. The sand should clear in a day or two. Nice start!

Maybe some White Cloud Mountain Minnows and some Lemon Tetras.
The tank should already be cycled with the filter media I took from the 20G but I think I'll add just a single guppy for now and see how the ammonia levels look in a day or two.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

I made a reflector for mine out of 44oz plastic cups, could have left it white but I decided to use alum reflective tape

 

[Azimuth]

i've used that paint on some plastic r/c truck rims and it really isn't that shiny. maybe some mylar sheeting although i dont know how heat resistant it is. i just polished up a piece of aluminum i had to make a reflector for the light i'm making.

Mylar would be bad. The lights get pretty warm.

 

[Azimuth]

Day 2

I added some micro sword -Lilaeopsis brasiliensis and Anubias (not sure which type)
Anyway.. on with the pictures. As you can see the tank is still very cloudy.

 

[FastFly67]

that's so neat. i wish i had that type of inventive knowledge.

 

[Alaris]

Put some polyfiber (pillow stuffing) in your filter and it will help pull the sand/dust out.

 

[Azimuth]

Put some polyfiber (pillow stuffing) in your filter and it will help pull the sand/dust out.

I have some Hagen polishing media at the end of the filter.