my little eden

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

Awesome!!

The new AQUASKY's are now on AFA's website it looks like too.

Glad you got one, it's really beautiful!

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by bluestems

mail came today!


And, despite one box coming in like this...







all was packed very well and intact.












The bracket is MUCH nicer than I expected. I'm seriously considering upgrading my tank to a 45P... if I can find one. Until then, I'm looking to suspend it without the bracket.










Can't wait to put it all together! More HC is on order, expecting by the end of the week. It's hard to believe that after months of waiting and anticipation, it's finally all coming together.

So now it's the next day, my light is still sitting *next* to the tank while I ponder just how best to suspend it.

The easiest/cheapest route would be to drill four small holes, two on each side to accommodate a y-shaped hanging kit. I'd need something to bring the cord out towards the side of the tank, as the light is shorter than my tank by about 10 cm. I'm also not sure how big the suspension kit components are, and whether they would look in proportion to the light.

It might not be too difficult to create some kind of mount similar to the acrylic one, but without the legs. See pictures above... the lighting unit has an overhang on each side that cradles it in the gap. I could make the mount as wide as the tank (50cm) and guide the light cord to come down directly next to the side of the tank.

A third option could be to use some kind of small version of this metal gripper, two per each side along the metal lip of the light unit. I'm checking out what the hardware store has that might work...

Any other ideas?

[Green_Flash]

Originally Posted by bluestems

The bracket is MUCH nicer than I expected. I'm seriously considering upgrading my tank to a 45P... if I can find one. Until then, I'm looking to suspend it without the bracket.

It also would fit the Mini L (same as 45p, just not as wide) and 45-F (similar tank shape to the one you have).

How about fishing line to hang the light? That would be pretty easy, you said you were going to drill the stand? Or you could get a custom piece of acrylic cut that fits the light and drill two holes and have it suspended with clear fishing line.

[andrewss]

nice fancy light

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

It also would fit the Mini L (same as 45p, just not as wide) and 45-F (similar tank shape to the one you have).

How about fishing line to hang the light? That would be pretty easy, you said you were going to drill the stand? Or you could get a custom piece of acrylic cut that fits the light and drill two holes and have it suspended with clear fishing line.

The Mini L would be a good option... I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between the glass clarity of the ADA and Do!Aqua line. It's a $40 price variance, so I assume there is some difference in quality? The 45F is about 3 inches shorter in height than mine, as well as a little less in width. I think I'd still have to suspend the light over the 45F.

I thought about using fish line, but read somewhere that it can stretch out. I have a large piece of acrylic left over from cutting out the lid today. Pondering how it might be possible to do an interior cut for the light... not sure how ADA manufactured the bracket as one piece unless it was molded.

For now, I've come up with a temporary solution so this bad boy can get plugged in:













I'm using four binder clips (with the silver handles removed) and picture wire at each end, and running a length of wire up to ceiling hooks. Pretty cheap and actually pretty secure, just a little bit cheesy.

Originally Posted by andrewss

nice fancy light

I love this light! It is the most expensive part of my setup... but I feel like if anyone will do LEDs right, it will be ADA.

I plugged it in to compare the amount of light to the 100w daylight fluorescent bulb currently over the tank, and it's like night and day! I can't wait to see how the plants respond to the new light.

[Green_Flash]

That looks like it is working pretty well.

The difference between the fluorescent was that big huh?

I found the compatibility chart for the 45cm AQUASKY if it helps:

*AQUASKY 451 is compatible with ADA Cube Garden / Cube Glass in the following sizes:
W45 x D24 x H16 (cm) glass thickness 5mm
W45 x D24 x H30 (cm) glass thickness 5mm
W45 x D27 x H30 (cm) glass thickness 5mm

I believe the main difference between the Do!Aqua tanks and the Cube Garden is the glass, Cube Garden tanks use 5 sided LIG (Low Iron Glass) while Do!Aqua use regular (green) glass.

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

That looks like it is working pretty well.

The difference between the fluorescent was that big huh?

Thanks, we'll see how it goes when I hang it tomorrow! I'll take a picture with the new light to compare with the existing florescent.

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

I found the compatibility chart for the 45cm AQUASKY if it helps:

*AQUASKY 451 is compatible with ADA Cube Garden / Cube Glass in the following sizes:
W45 x D24 x H16 (cm) glass thickness 5mm
W45 x D24 x H30 (cm) glass thickness 5mm
W45 x D27 x H30 (cm) glass thickness 5mm

I believe the main difference between the Do!Aqua tanks and the Cube Garden is the glass, Cube Garden tanks use 5 sided LIG (Low Iron Glass) while Do!Aqua use regular (green) glass.

I don't have experience with LEDs, does the distance on the light matter?

My tank is 22cm high and I was planning to suspend it 8cm+the bracket height above the aquarium. (Figuring this puts the light at the same height on a 30cm depth aquarium with the bracket) But, maybe I don't need to go that high above the tank?

Thanks for the info on the Do!Aqua. I'd definitely want to go with the ADA high clarity glass on the next tank.

[bluestems]

While cleaning the tank today, and installing the easy on/off switches along the filter hose, I broke not one, but BOTH of my lily pipes.



Apparently, I do not know my own strength...

(that's a joke, btw.)


Good news is that my light is up and is a-mazing! And, I received my shipment of HC from nilocg today! The roots on these were super thick & long, and much easier to plant with the more slender tweezers. (thanks for the tip, AzFishKid)



The open space in the upper right hand corner is reserved for S. 'porto vehlo' once I find some. The aquasky as only been on one day and the dwarf lily is already reddening up...



Now that the light is up, I have the CO2 paintball canister filled today and ready to go. Assuming that goes well and I get the water parameters stabilized, I'm hoping to get my spotted rassy's and danios this week.

[Green_Flash]

I am very sorry to hear you broke your pipes.

How did they break, when you were removing the tubing?
Did you grip them where the U is ?
I think ADA recommends to hold by the outside tube glass part.

Maybe a set of ADA stainless steel pipes? They are cool IMO.

Btw how do you like the aquatek mini reg?

[callisto9]

Oh, that stinks! Sorry to hear about the pipe breakage.

However, your tank is looking awe.some! So cool! Excellent job. Can't wait to see fish in there!

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

I am very sorry to hear you broke your pipes.

How did they break, when you were removing the tubing?
Did you grip them where the U is ?
I think ADA recommends to hold by the outside tube glass part.

Maybe a set of ADA stainless steel pipes? They are cool IMO.

Btw how do you like the aquatek mini reg?

The intake broke when I was placing the tube back on. I was gripping the outside tube part in my left hand and it broke off right at the top of my hand. The other one broke when I was trying to get the lily out of the suction cup and it came out suddenly, hitting the other end of the lily against the glass, and breaking at the top of the outside part near the U .

I really like the look of the glass, so I'm going to try them again... and be much more careful!


Is there a way to install a quick disconnect?


Installing the CO2 today...

[bluestems]

Originally Posted by callisto9

Oh, that stinks! Sorry to hear about the pipe breakage.

However, your tank is looking awe.some! So cool! Excellent job. Can't wait to see fish in there!

Thanks, Erin! I'm getting super impatient for the fish... almost bought some yesterday, which I'm glad I didn't given the mess I made.

[andrewss]

sorry bout the glass ware...


is that ohko stone?

[bluestems]

It is okho stone. I'm hoping the HC will fill in the soil pockets.

[Green_Flash]

Oh.

You mean something like the eheim quick disconnects? I think they might sell those somewhere as parts (?)