Crazy idea - Planted tank WITHOUT light !

[Sietch31]

Hello,

I thought of posting this in the Lighting section but I finally think that Low Tech is more appropriate:

As some of you may have seen here Sietchs-rimless-122g, I am now setting my new open tank.

This tank is sitting in the middle of the living room, and I plan to build a DIY hanged light fixture with PC lights.

However, I feel that this will obstruct the room quite a bit and lose part of the look and feeling of the fully open tank.

So came to my crazy mind this stupid idea: why not no light ?
The room is very clear although no direct sunlight will hit the tank.

Could it be a possibility with very specific plants (anubias, swords,....) ?

Or should I quit drinking ???

Any input is more than welcome,

[Wasserpest]

I am pretty sure that ambient lighting in a room (even in U.A.E.) is below the threshold for growing plants. Especially if there is no direct sunlight at any time of the day (for a short boost in growth).

Also, keep in mind, while a fixture dangling from the ceiling isn't the most beautiful thing in the world, it helps to make the tank stand out at any time of the day, especially in evening hours.

Another thing with ambient lighting is that it might spook fishies when someone walks by. If the tank is lit well, surroundings are not as visible/threatening for the inhabitants.

[mrbelvedere]

Some fixtures are pretty damn attractive. The Tek fixtures, Coralife Aqualight Pro, And of course, the ADA fixtures. ADA does PC, why not try them?

Originally Posted by Sietch31

Or should I quit drinking ???

I thought drinking was taboo in Middle Eastern countries, or does that only apply to certain ones?

[Sietch31]

Originally Posted by mrbelvedere

Some fixtures are pretty damn attractive. The Tek fixtures, Coralife Aqualight Pro, And of course, the ADA fixtures. ADA does PC, why not try them?

Yes they are...
But they also are:
- out of my budget
- not available locally and would cost one arm for shipping fees to here I guess
(I abandonned the idea of buying AHS fixtures because shipping was more than doubling the cost.... )

Originally Posted by mrbelvedere

I thought drinking was taboo in Middle Eastern countries, or does that only apply to certain ones?

That only applies to public areas
So a bier while enjoying the tank in the living room is not taboo at all
If not would it be worth the effort of the tank ????

[Sietch31]

Remember it is not my primary intent, just an idea gone through my mind while looking at the current status of my tank...

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

I am pretty sure that ambient lighting in a room (even in U.A.E.) is below the threshold for growing plants. Especially if there is no direct sunlight at any time of the day (for a short boost in growth).

That is what I fear...
No plant growth, algae...
or could we imagine, no light = no algae ???

Originally Posted by Wasserpest

Also, keep in mind, while a fixture dangling from the ceiling isn't the most beautiful thing in the world, it helps to make the tank stand out at any time of the day, especially in evening hours.

Another thing with ambient lighting is that it might spook fishies when someone walks by. If the tank is lit well, surroundings are not as visible/threatening for the inhabitants.

Two good points, light enhances plants (and fish) colors.
For the view from the fihes point of view, I had never thought about it...
They might well see, as they are always coming to us at feeding time ?

[Wasserpest]

Originally Posted by Sietch31

For the view from the fihes point of view, I had never thought about it...
They might well see, as they are always coming to us at feeding time ?

They do see what is going on outside of the box, however, it is different if you are blocking the light that comes from a window... like in a pond, when you are casting a shadow, often the fish in it freak out and hide.

Of course, "smarter" fish might get used to it. Others you might not see (if there are hiding places).

Rather than a pendant from the ceiling, there are other solutions, like 150W HQI clamp-on lamps and such.

[quilting chick]

I think single bulb pendant lights (think metal halide) would keep the open and airy feeling you're looking for. You could drop down two or three, depending on what wpg you're trying to achieve.

Terri

[Sietch31]

Originally Posted by quilting chick

I think single bulb pendant lights (think metal halide) would keep the open and airy feeling you're looking for. You could drop down two or three, depending on what wpg you're trying to achieve.

Terri

Thanks for the idea,

Ceiling is pretty high in that room (more than 4 meters....) so I don't know about the look of such long wires or chain to hang fixtures from there...
Any example of such arrangement ???

Plus I would have to drive electric power up there....

[handsomeboy]

you should try, and then tell us how it goes. taking a risk is the first step to doing something awesome.

[Sietch31]

Originally Posted by handsomeboy

you should try, and then tell us how it goes. taking a risk is the first step to doing something awesome.

I am definitely thinking about it...

I am now testing a possible light arrangement but if I do not feel happy with it, I will give a try to the "unlighted" tank test

[guaiac_boy]

Yeah, but home electrical work is half of the fun......... ZZZZZZZZZap!!!

Actually, a single wire hanging down over the tank can make for an interesting focal point. At the same time, it might look better in a corner, or up against a wall. You'll just have to try it to see.

[medicineman]

Doable (as in no artificial light but using natural sunlight) and has been done before over and over again. The key is picking the right spot with enough light. Almost all tanks use sunlight as the main source, with some metal halide for evening/night view only (most times by setting shading net over to get just enough sunlight). The scale done this way in my country can get larger than 2000 gallon with constant fresh water supply. Some crazy people have monster tanks (planted tanks!) inside their houses (yes, private property!), usually within the wall with no roof or transparent roof. It seems bringin a kind of public aquarium display into private houses has become a trend to the rich scapist.

[quilting chick]

Oooooooh, I have an idea -- how about installing a skylight directly above the tank. That would be so neat, and no electrical work involved.

Terri

[ox777]

Originally Posted by quilting chick

Oooooooh, I have an idea -- how about installing a skylight directly above the tank. That would be so neat, and no electrical work involved.

Terri

Skylights are not good at bringing light in all over the world. Only if your within 11 degrees (think that's right) of the equator are they more effective than a vertical window.

[lumpyfunk]

I believe you can get a "solar tube" that reflects the light around bends ect. I was also thinking about spot lighting the tank, which could be done from above, still have the DIY electrical and the unknown will it get enough light into the tank to matter?