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Missing the visuals... Ghost in the FP, DP machine? 8/31/06
Good afternoon!
I was browsing through your FW FAQs and was particularly intrigued by
http://wetwebmedia.com/plantedtkssubwebindex/plttksstds.htm.
The captions look so interesting! I really want to see the pictures but they
don't appear, except for the one next to the heading (the "real" freshwater
tank)... I've tried right clicking and using View Image, but when it opens in a
new window, it says the page can't be displayed.
If you still have these pics on your server, is there any way I can look at
them? If they're gone, don't worry...I'm sorry to bother you, ladies and
gentlemen, I know you are so busy answering *real* e-mails, but I am just so
curious to see those pics! :)
Thank you always for your invaluable assistance.
Nicole
<Thank you for this note... I don't know what happens at times with the graphics
on either Frontpage or our ISP... will have to find, replace these... from my
hard drive, scans, or make new. Sigh, Bob Fenner>
Question about Planted Aquarium Cover 7/30/05
I have a 55 gallon planted aquarium with a 130 watt compact fluorescent
light. I need a cover for the tank and I was wondering which material you
would recommend. I was debating between acrylic or glass, but I'm also open
to other suggestions that may be better options. My main concern was to find
a material that would filter out or block the least amount of light that
should be getting to my plants. Thanks.
Thomas
<Actually... the best cover is none at all... that is to have nothing twixt the
light source/s and the water's surface... all materials have differential
photonic absorption and reflection... Bob Fenner>
Triangular plywood and glass DIY tank
Hello,
<Hi there>
Thanks for such a wonderful resource.
<Welcome>
I would like to build a biotope/paludarium to fit in a corner in my
house. I hesitate to buy a new (or used) corner aquarium because I need to
make many modifications to it so it seems to me that a DIY approach is
better.
<Yes>
Since I've never taken on a project like this before, I would hate
to "ruin" a perfectly good tank in case things don't go as planned. I've
read as much as I can find regarding DIY tanks, especially plywood and
glass tanks. Since my idea is to make a triangular tank and two sides will
be against the walls, I'd like to try the plywood approach for the sides
and bottom with a glass front. My question is this: all of the websites
stress the importance of making a perfect right angle in order to maintain
the integrity of the tank. My faceplate will not be at a right angle but
at a 45 degree angle. Will a mitered wood frame with the faceplate
attached with silicone be the way to go?
<Likely this will be fine... need to know specifics... the height of water in
the paludarium, the thickness of the ply...>
Otherwise, is it possible to find
some kind of metal strip bent at less than a 90 degree angle to brace the
corners? Thanks very much for your input.
Regards,
Eileen
<Unless this tank has high water depth, thin ply... you can very likely get away
with what you plan/state... adding wood screws every four inches below water
level, six above... possibly use fiberglass strip (3-4") in the corners, with
resin... you should be fine. Bob Fenner>
<Oh... and for clarity's sake... I would make a "frame" with a cut-out for the
front... out of the plywood, and set the glass inside this (i.e. silicone the
glass to the inside of this frame. Bob F> |
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Re: thanks to B.Fenner (triangle tank)
Wow!
Speedy response. Thanks so much (and on a holiday weekend too!)
<To you and yours as well>
I have many wood/glass construction websites bookmarked so I think
I can figure out the thickness of the materials without too much
trouble.
However I may run the proposed thicknesses by you before starting.
<Real good>
Really just wanted an opinion on the feasibility of the project. I'm
planning
on making the sides about 30 inches, which makes the front about 42
inches
or so. The tank will be about half full (or half empty if you're having
a
bad day ;)
<Hee!>
I'm enclosing a diagram that I made of the project. I hope you are able
to
open
the file. Many thanks for the response and have a happy new year.
Regards,
Eileen
<Yes... I would go with quarter inch (aka triple strength) plate here...
adequate strength and low cost. Bob Fenner> |
Re: Wet/Dry "Aquasystem" for freshwater planted aquarium
Hello again! For several months now I have enjoyed your site and
sincerely appreciate all your efforts to assist, educate and share with the
folks enthralled with the aquarium experience. Thank you!
<Thank you much for the kind words!>
You answered a question for me on November 12th '02, and I'd like to query your
expertise once more. With your help I started a planted freshwater aquarium
which is doing wonderfully (see attached email below)! As mentioned below, the
tank is a "TruVu AquaSystem", 40x16x20" tall with a built in
wet/dry trickle filtration system. The tank was originally created to support a
reef, so the filter is appropriately sized - much larger than the planted
aquarium requires. I am now considering removing (cutting out) the internal
filter as this will add significant volume to the tank and increase it's depth a
good 6 inches or so, and hanging a wet/dry trickle filter off of the back
(externally) in it's place. BUT, from what I've read, it seems the wet/dry
trickle may not be the best thing for such a tank. My question to you is what
sort of filter would you suggest as the best for a planted tank? What would YOU
do? I can go any route, and will use you opinion as a guide for
further research. I intend to keep only a few small fish (no discus as mentioned
below), primarily plants.
<I really think it’s personal preference here. I have a planted tank with
small fish and I use a wet/dry trickle on it with no problems. I really like it
myself. Mine is the over the top style, not a hang on but they should be pretty
much the same.>
I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to address not only my, but all of
your readers inquiries. Perhaps I'll be able to contribute one day. Thanks
again! Richard
<You're welcome! Ronni>
Incidentally, I do have a small Eheim canister that I'm not using. Any
suggestions?
<You could successfully use this one too if it’s what you prefer.>
- Equipment Selection -
<Hello, JasonC here...>
I am considering purchasing a Oceanic Bow 72 or 90 with stand and cap which are
plastic (stand has wood reinforcement). These are 48" long tanks
that are either 22" or 28" high for a freshwater planted aquarium. The
dealer suggested a JBJ Formosa Deluxe 1200 (4-65 watt compact florescent) light
although I have read that this brand may be unreliable. <I've not had any
experience with JBJ lights, so it's hard for me to either confirm or deny
this.> Your suggestions for an alternative. <I would post this question on
our forum where there is certain to be at least one person who has experience
with these lights or can recommend something else. http://wetwebfotos.com/talk
> The cap is 9 1/2 " tall and open at the back but I am still
concerned about heat build up. The aesthetics are important to me thus the cap.
Your opinion? <Put a fan on it.>
The dealer also suggested an Eheim Model 2028 filter which is rated for tanks up
to 158 gallons. They make a smaller model for up to 92 gallons.
Any problems with using the larger model? <None at all. I'm a big fan of
having more filtration than you need. Cheers, J -- >
Pedestal stands for 100 gallon tank
What do you think about the tank stands built like pedestals (you know. . .two pedestals on either end of the tank and nothing under the middle part of the tank)?
<They're fine for most geographic locations, types of tanks, settings... as long as they're strong, level and planar... and not set upon by small systems, with children, animals about to rock them...>
The salesman says that this type of stand is better than one that supports the whole tank because the stand will not detect the lack of leveling in the floor.
<Wotta salesman! Back to geometry with this person. Read over the Tank Stand section of the www.WetWebMedia.com site...>
I kind of like the looks of a tank that has a full stand but he says pedestals provide less stress on the acrylic.
<No... the broader the support the better... spreads out the force, capability of making level... Important questions here... why aren't skyscrapers skinny on the bottom? Read over the above citation.>
Thanks Dave
<Bob Fenner>
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