The 700 gal indoor sunken garden project

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

Medicineman.. what do you live in that looks like that on the inside? and I am assuming you area docters yes? or does alittle money go along way other there?

[fresh_lynny]

Originally Posted by medicineman

I want to hear your opinion about additional supplemental/viewing lighting for this one. It is kinda hard to decide as this one is unlike regular tank. Pendant style fixture is attractive but must not be hanged too low (or else they will spoil the scenery), I think at least 8 feet high from water level will look great. I saw amano did this with no problem on his giant tank, although his is much closer, more like 4-5 feet away from the water surface.

If you happen to ever been in Singapore's Changi airport, you might remember this indoor fern garden with a koi pond by the terminal. The lighting is supplied by many metal halide downlight very far away (something like 18+ feet away). Yet it is enough to sustain the life of all tree ferns and other kind of ferns (yes, they are real and alive!! and they've been there for more than a year without dying) far below.



Looking at my project condition, metal halide is the only obvious option. With natural sun lighting condition and the nature of plants (non high light plants) to be considered, I'd say 400W bulb would be sufficient to punch through the distance and depth. Two of such bulb would be more than enough to cover the pond evenly.

I would try to contact the person who maintains that pond/fern tree garden at the airport. it is easy enough to find out. I bet they have some opinions about lighting. You seem to have 3 hours of great sunlight. You will have to supplement it though, so there would be a good place to start.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by CardBoardBoxProcessor

Medicineman.. what do you live in that looks like that on the inside? and I am assuming you area docters yes? or does alittle money go along way other there?

It is safe to say he is not a starving college student!

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

It is safe to say he is not a starving college student!

I know.. his house thing.. it jsut is weird.. he has that one big tanki with all the congo tetras and all I see si glass block walls.. and then some odd looking open to sky basment thing with steps.. it is odd.

[medicineman]

@Y0uH0,
Algae could be an issue on direct sunlight, while I'm not too concerned because the duration is quite short (just several hours around noon) and the rest of the photoperiod can be compared to those of low to medium level lighting. Coloured lighting? perhaps night viewing light, artinic blue will do.

@fresh_newby,
That would be a great way to make sure while it would take some trouble to contact the designer/caretaker/consultor. My wild guess is a Netherland based company dealing in vivariums and open style indoor gardens. Lets see what will they say about using fewer bigger watt bulbs or multiple smaller watt bulbs (at the airport all I can observe are smaller bulbs that looks like 150W, 250W at most).

@CardBoardBoxProcessor,
Looking like which? The tank you referring to is on the balcony by the second floor and that explains the oddity of background. The stairs is back stairs that leads to the house deck. Behind that glass blocks is neigbour's house and we certainly need some privacy from preying eyes (which would be gazing at the tank because it blocks the view to inside). Looking like the airport fern garden is another thing... my economy is far from reaching that level, only some of the biggest corporate boss can afford that!
And for information, this project is on a different house (our old house which is under renovation).

@Hoppy,
LOL. I have to go on a diet then

[fresh_lynny]

mm...thanks to the internet, contacting them will be easy. I do that kind of crap all of the time.
Also, don't take CBBP's words to heart. I love anything architecturally interesting. It is an art form to me. I love the interesting nuances to your place and I cannot wait to see this project come to fruition. It is good to be out of medical school debt and doing well. I can sleep better at night now! lol

[medicineman]

@fresh_newby,
You are right about the internet, the fern garden is more famous that I thought, a simple search proved many links to the garden inside Changi airport. Find the right link and I may be connected with the mastermid of the project.
With hopefully enough funding, I do hope you went trough specialist degree and sleep even better!

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

I did not mean anything wrong by my questions.. I actualy like the look.. it is a cool looking house.. i am just curious as to what it just outside the pictures.. it looks like a nice house haha..

[medicineman]

@CardBoardBoxProcessor,
No offense is taken

By now the whole wall is getting finished but still not getting finishing touches such as colouring, coco bedding and such until the final stages. The pond part is now in turn for construction and will be soon casting concrete. This is going to take some time...

[A Hill]

i really love the backround, its amazing.

for lighting have you thought of trying to use something on the idea of spotlights? it looks like you have stairs is it going up to a bedroom or something that has a opening under the stairs? what if you mounted a mh or two under there and directed the lght at the tank? or something like that so it wouldn't obtruct the view.

you said this is your old house? so when are you going to rent it out? lol maybe i should go visit india!

good luck with this monster. i do agree with what you said about pdfs. i wouldnt want to watch TV with them either lol.

- fish newb -

[medicineman]

@Fish newbie
LOL ... it is quite a big one and not for rent, because I plan to stay there. BTW It is Indonesia (as in southeast asia) and not India (as in western asia). Lighting from the stairs? possible. Metal halide spotlights as a secondary source from that angle would be nice. But still I want at least a single (or double) bigger metal halide pendant from the ceiling.

Back to the project.... since this is a project which is integrated with the house, work and finishing must be done in orderly fashion otherwise one job may delay or even ruin the other. The room in general is now somewhat left behind with granite slabs to be installed that is after plumbing is finished (for all in and ex waterways).

So finishing to the garden is somewhat delayed and work must slow down from here. Several basic work yet to be finished are :
- filter chambers
- control valves and non-planted plumbing
- viewing glass and the frames
- garden floor
- supplemental artificial lighting system
- covering for the sunlight opening (with support frames as well)
- finishing touches; make ups, colourings and fine details on textures
- plant decoration and setup?? --> this one is the last to think of.... still months away!

I'm happy to update that the whole backdrop has taken full shape, plumbings are all installed and covered, including those for drainage, filter and backwall watering. The pond section is also concrete casted and well cured right now that you can see the base shape even though it is not yet given details/texture. I will take some pics to share the next time I visit the house for general inspection.

[A Hill]

Originally Posted by medicineman

@Fish newbie
LOL ... it is quite a big one and not for rent, because I plan to stay there. BTW It is Indonesia (as in southeast asia) and not India (as in western asia). Lighting from the stairs? possible. Metal halide spotlights as a secondary source from that angle would be nice. But still I want at least a single (or double) bigger metal halide pendant from the ceiling.

Lmao, sorry about the location mix up, i feel like an idiot lol.......

also if you put a pendent from the cieling you could always make a planter box on the top and around the sides so it stays "hidden" i think ive seen this done at some zoos and stuff. i think you should deffinatly try to spotlight.

good luck!

- fish newb -

oh btw 950th post.

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

First off let me jsut say.. Jakarta has like wall to wall building! Whoa! the only trees I saw from sats where hnear some big tower thing. Is there really that man buildings there MM? looks like one endless city!.

anwyay.. MM what plants are you going to be adding again?

[capricorn77]

MedicineMan,
IF what CBBP said is true, about Jakarta being a wall-to-wall concrete jungle, then you've just created an oasis of relaxation whenever you come home! Perfect after a long day's work!

This is turning to out to be an amazing masterpiece and I'm glad you are so willing to share all this with us here at PT! Thanks!
Definitely going to keep track of this journal and can't wait to see the progress and evolution this will take!

Just out of curiousity, do you have mosquito problems? If so, how will you solve the problem of a potential mosquito breeding ground with all the little nooks and crannies that will collect puddles of water? Those would be perfect for mosquitos to lay their eggs...or maybe I'm just being ridiculous...

Also, how will you scrape the glass if there's algae growing on it? Just curious...

Have you considered how loud the waterfall will be when it is running? I hope your bedroom isn't next to it, or I would imagine it may be a bit too loud?

[CardBoardBoxProcessor]

it is cap 77!! it is!!! except for some central park like thing with some with tower thing.. wanna see a picture? or see it yourself? go DL google earth..