and... SCORE! lol - Page 2

beckdg · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 11:23 PM

it should do fine under low light conditions.

froggsong · #12 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 12:58 AM

read that as almost dark conditions, lol...

beckdg · #13 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 02:22 AM

hmmm... dunno, maybe better emersed.

froggsong · #14 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 08:11 AM

I'm sure I'll have enough to experiment with. I definitely want to get some growing on my wood that emerges from the water (it's my waterfall as well), and that gets plenty of light and water.

I was reading the link that (I think) Aaron posted about a tank that was cooled with a freezer, and that guy was using fiber optics to light his tanks. I'm thinking of experimenting with this to light down to the bottom of my tank, and possibly in the fish tanks as well (I can run the fiber optic strands into the water). The plastic fibers aren't nearly as expensive, and I think I can probably build a projector myself for way less than buying one. My hubby is on board with playing around with it (he wants a new hobby and is shopping around for one, lol), so I'm hoping to try some things out within the next month.

froggsong · #15 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 10:20 AM

Ok, so I was wondering... What are you guys' thoughts on painting the back of the tank white instead of black? I was planning to paint it black for the look, but I would like to have tall BG plants anyway, so would white help maximize the light? I know that my current tank is MUCH brighter with the white sand, as it reflects the light back up into the tank. Would painting the back wall white do the same thing; reflect the light off the back and out into the front? Another question is how much would I hate how it looks, lol...

I may do a test with some white paper on another tank and see how I like it (or maybe even on my current tank).

Do you think that any reflected light would be worth it?

froggsong · #16 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 10:23 AM

HOly crap is this cool or what?! : Aquascape of the Month: September 2008 "Pinheiro Manso" - Aquascaping World Forum

beckdg · #17 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 11:28 AM

i think that if the wall behind it was white it will look good. the light will obviously reflect but i'm not sure about a marked increase.

seen the tree before, very cool.

froggsong · #18 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 11:35 AM

the wall is wood paneling, so I'd have to paint the back of the tank. To do a test, I taped bright white paper to the back and sides of the newt tank, and there is a marked difference, ESPECIALLY in the water (not as much in the air). Of course, how much of that is usable to plants is up for debate.

I think I will follow this up with a second test on the bowfront to see how it looks in a fully aquatic environment.

I'm going to set up a DIY CO2 system by this weekend to see the difference with the plants. I've fallen behind on the ferts too, so I'm going to make some root tabs and get back up with the schedule. The plants are all doing well, so I think I'm on the right track with all this. I want to make sure I have it all down before I invest in the plants and fish for the big tank.

beckdg · #19 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 11:44 AM

yeah, well, i've requested several times to see updated pics of that tank. as things are going i'm not so confident it's going to happen

.

what i was saying about it looking good is white backgrounds really look best against a white wall (not just seeing the white wall behind it but actually a white painted b/g) IMHO. like a tone on tone type deal. i've been thinking about it myself and i think the best results would be had with exactly the same paint used on the wall behind it (which with the smooth surface of glass should provide that tone on tone effect).

but lets get on with the real issues, shall we? I WANT TO SEE THAT TANK, lol.

froggsong · #20 (**permalink**) 06-08-2010, 02:38 PM

Yeah, it's too bad I'm renting... I don't think the landlord would want me to paint the wall just so the tank will look good, lol...

As for the bowfront, oops... lol. I WAS going to take a pic before I took everything out to rescape it, but I forgot! I'll definitely send you a pic (or post one, likely), when I get the scaping done and the water clears. I'm going to clean out the canister and get it running in the tank on low (if I can find enough hardware for it now) to get the filter established so I can use it when I switch to the new tank (going to use the HOBs for the 75 for now till I make/buy a new system), and I'll run the polishing filter on it to clear the water up in a jiff.