Quick video: Mr. Aqua 11.4G Riparium - Take 2

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by steven p

it looks awesome, the bright plants and deep backgrounds make the tank look as if it kinda goes on indefinitely.. like, when you look into the side panel of a large tank and get that other perspective kinda thing going on..

Thanks! I think that the color combination is working out pretty well. Now I just need to grow those riparium plants up taller.

[izabella87]

Such a nice tank !

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by izabella87

Such a nice tank !

Thank you!

[hydrophyte]

I think that I figured out a pretty good lighting solution for this setup. It is difficult to find a fixture to light up the 18" width of this tank.

This is a pair of trouble lamp reflectors that I put together with a dual-socket ceiling fixture. It attached real secure to the metal shelf bracket with the threaded knob at the top of the socket assembly.

I will install two 16w 6500K daylight CFL bulbs and this should provide a real nice light for growing these plants. I also intend to cut the hooks at the top of each reflector off because they will just catch on my shirt sleeve. I just need to go to the hardware store to get a couple more items and then I can put this together and hang it up.

[Chyrol]

Nice job on the lights! Goes to show that a little creativity/diy can go a long ways.

[Ruchit]

I am loving the color of the tank. It surely will brighten up the mood upon seeing it.

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by Chyrol

Nice job on the lights! Goes to show that a little creativity/diy can go a long ways.

Originally Posted by Ruchit

I am loving the color of the tank. It surely will brighten up the mood upon seeing it.

Hey thanks! I hope to have pictures of the light installed later tonight.

[flc]

How do you hang the plants on the back of the tank, and what kind of pots and soil are you using? I have a similar Mr. Aqua tank set up and was wondering if the thin glass would hold up to the lateral stress from the weight of the pots.

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by flc

How do you hang the plants on the back of the tank, and what kind of pots and soil are you using? I have a similar Mr. Aqua tank set up and was wondering if the thin glass would hold up to the lateral stress from the weight of the pots.

The gravel substrate, planters trellis rafts and some of the plants are all Riparium Supply brand.

There is no danger of the planterd exerting pressure on the glass. They don't weigh much and they weigh even less underwater.

The Mr. Aqua 11.4G is a real nice size and shape for this kind of setup. I like it with the water level lowered to a few inches below the top rim. This improves the proportions and it will also help to prevent fish from jumping out.

[laqu]

love it!

purple wall is great!

your hired! i pay in complements!

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by laqu

love it!

purple wall is great!

your hired! i pay in complements!

Hey thanks!

Here it is with the new light fixture. The riparium planting will look good if those bamboo plants can reach up another 5" or so.

[hydrophyte]

Here are a couple more views.

[fusiongt]

Love it! Would like to see more inside of the tank to see how it's done (though the artsy dark photos are great as well). I do thin that gigantic heater could go because there's many smaller ones now like this little guy http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=687

[hydrophyte]

Originally Posted by fusiongt

Love it! Would like to see more inside of the tank to see how it's done (though the artsy dark photos are great as well). I do thin that gigantic heater could go because there's many smaller ones now like this little guy http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=687

Thanks. These were just some quick snapshots. I will plan to do more careful photography later on as this stuff grows in.

Ripariums are easy to put together. There isn't much to it.

This Jager 50W heater is fine for me. I don't mind it at all.

Cheers!

[hydrophyte]

Here's one last shot from the other night.



I hope that the Pleioblastus bamboo will start growing up taller. I mgiht have to think about replacing it with something else if it doesn't. The fish are still looking happy enough. One of the platies is dropping fry.