Hoppy's 65 Gal Riparium

[fishyboy]

From what I read Oceanic decided not to release the tank for liability reasons. Would be interested if it is true.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by fishyboy

From what I read Oceanic decided not to release the tank for liability reasons. Would be interested if it is true.

That tank has been sold for a few months now, even having been on sale a few months ago. And, the distributor told two different LFS here that they were available, at what price. So, if Oceanic decided not to sell them they sure kept the news to themselves.

However, they do have an 800 number, so I may decide to give them a call Monday to see what they say.

[hydrophyte]

Those pieces all look real nice together Hoppy.

I sure hope that they haven't discontinued that tank already. I want to get one, and it's a perfect shape overall for ripariums too. The one that I saw looked plenty sturdy enough.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

Those pieces all look real nice together Hoppy.

I sure hope that they haven't discontinued that tank already. I want to get one, and it's a perfect shape overall for ripariums too. The one that I saw looked plenty sturdy enough.

Nothing good to report today. I started by checking Oceanic's website, to look for all of the local stores that sell their tanks. I phoned all of the local ones - no one has the tank. I branched out to nearby communities, and finally found a place 58 miles away, that had 3 of those tanks! And, the price had been reduced. So, I drove there, only to find that they hadn't received a phone call from me, had no tanks at all in the store. Next I checked the website for that store to find that Oceanic has their phone number wrong by one digit. Obviously the guy who answered is tired of getting their phone calls so he played a game with me. Ha ha.

Now I have a phone call in to Oceanic asking if they ever have or ever intend to make that tank. My guess is that they aren't going to make it. The distributor for northern California has none of the tanks and no idea when or if they will receive any. I canceled my order and got my money back.

So, depending on what Oceanic tells me, plan B is to get an Aqueon 65 gallon tank, with oak color frame, and then decide whether or not to remove the top frame - probably not. At least it does cost a lot less. And, those are still being made, and are available quickly from the distributor.

The Illuminata may have been better called the Illusory Tank.

[hydrophyte]

That's a drag. You spent a lot of time looking for that tank, and I was really hoping that it would become commercially available. You know that might be right that they decided not to release it for liability reasons--too many lawyers*. I have heard that one reason that manufacturers worry about open-top tanks is because of electrocution hazard, which is dumb, because it's much easier for a loose strip light to end up in the water than a fixture sturdily hung as a pendant.

Well that 65 should be easy enough to get, and cheaper like you say. I imagine the shape of the 56 might have been a little bit nicer for looks, but the 65 will have a few more gallons water and a little more room to situate heaters and other hardware. Can you get it with the black frame? It seems to me the oak frame will clash with your nice stand.

Hey did you see I had another fun flower event?--blooms on my Spiranthes orchid.

*Sorry if anyone reading this is a lawyer, but there are too many lawyers.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

That's a drag. You spent a lot of time looking for that tank, and I was really hoping that it would become commercially available. You know that might be right that they decided not to release it for liability reasons--too many lawyers*. I have heard that one reason that manufacturers worry about open-top tanks is because of electrocution hazard, which is dumb, because it's much easier for a loose strip light to end up in the water than a fixture sturdily hung as a pendant.

Well that 65 should be easy enough to get, and cheaper like you say. I imagine the shape of the 56 might have been a little bit nicer for looks, but the 65 will have a few more gallons water and a little more room to situate heaters and other hardware. Can you get it with the black frame? It seems to me the oak frame will clash with your nice stand.

Hey did you see I had another fun flower event?--blooms on my Spiranthes orchid.

*Sorry if anyone reading this is a lawyer, but there are too many lawyers.

Yes, I saw the pic of the orchid and immediately did a google search to learn what I could about it. It is a central USA native plant! An orchid? I had no idea there were any orchids growing in the area when I grew up there. It is certainly a beautiful flowering plant.

The reason I'm thinking about the oak colored framed aquarium is to get rid of the contrast with the stand. My current, soon to be departed tank has oak trim and on its oak stand the trim isn't at all obtrusive. I haven't seen an Aqueon oak trimmed tank yet, so that has to happen first. Right in front of me now, on my desk is a black rimmed tank, and I don't like the top black rim at all. But, I'm still thinking about this.

[hydrophyte]

We have quite a few native orchids here in the Great Lakes region. Unlike the great variety of tropical orchids, which are mostly epiphytic, all of ours are terrestrial plants. I have seen a number of different ones Up North in pine forests and in bogs. Here in Southern Wisconsin I have only found rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera) and fringed orchids (Platanthera). There are 20-some species here in the state.

[Hoppy]

Oceanic phoned me back this morning - they still produce and sell that 57 gallon tank, deliver them weekly by truck to the distributors, and all of the distributors have them. (And, in the Sacramento area the distributor has one (1), uno, a single one!) I told her I didn't believe that part, but I was glad they were still being produced. Then I headed to a LFS and bought an Aqueon 65 gallon tank, with oak trim, for $195, with the tax, to be in the store tomorrow. At least I'm saving money.

[Philosophos]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Riparium improvements? That is far in the future. I'm still struggling with learning how to manage a riparium. I will be shifting from a high CO2, moderate light, planted tank, to a low light, non-CO2 planted tank, having lots of terrestrial plants sharing the water with the aquatic plants and fish. This upsets my planted tank instincts considerably. Just learning how to manage the growth of the terrestrial plants, the seasonal cycle for them, the pruning techniques needed, the fertilizing, the insect pests, etc. should keep this interesting for at least a year, before I even think about how to do it better. You know, learn to walk before trying to win a marathon?

So where do you get your terrestrial info from? Any books or forums you'd recommend? I've almost always got an empty tank around tempting me. I'm starting to run out of excuses for keeping my emersed growth tray looking so bland as well.

-Philosophos

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by Philosophos

So where do you get your terrestrial info from? Any books or forums you'd recommend? I've almost always got an empty tank around tempting me. I'm starting to run out of excuses for keeping my emersed growth tray looking so bland as well.

-Philosophos

Hydrophyte is by far the best source of information I have found. But, I also use Google to read up on some plants, as well as to see what the strangely Latin named plants he talks about look like when not in a riparium. I already know a little about terrestrial plants, since I have had gardens of various sizes for many years. But, learning what I feel I want to know doesn't yet seem as easy as learning about aquatic plants - possibly because there is no equivalent group of "Experts" dispensing wisdom on forums like this, with emphasis on riparium type set-ups.

Don't look for excuses not to set up a riparium tank! Just close your eyes and jump right in.

[Tex Gal]

Loving your stand and light. The hangers from the back look better, I think. I hope your CEO likes them. Am looking forward to seeing your riparium up and running. Glad you got the tank issues straightened out.

[hydrophyte]

Have you decided about removing the top rim yet? I think you really will enjoy the result if you can do that--I like mine a lot. The best way to do that is with a block plane, shaving away the plastic all the way around along the top outside edge of the rim. If you can then just carefully saw through the two rim halves here and there in cross-section you should be able to pull them off easily. Silicone doesn't truly adhere to that plastic--the rim is just held in place with friction.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by hydrophyte

Have you decided about removing the top rim yet? I think you really will enjoy the result if you can do that--I like mine a lot. The best way to do that is with a block plane, shaving away the plastic all the way around along the top outside edge of the rim. If you can then just carefully saw through the two rim halves here and there in cross-section you should be able to pull them off easily. Silicone doesn't truly adhere to that plastic--the rim is just held in place with friction.

I will decide on removing the rim after I get the tank. But, I'm inclined not to do it. I really like the appearance of a rimless tank, for a riparium, but for a regular planted tank I'm not that sold on it yet. One thing that holds me back is that once the rim is off, the tank shouldn't ever be filled completely with water (my opinion), especially since this tank also has a cross brace across the top. However, an hour from now my mind may change yet again.

[hydrophyte]

Yeah I wouldn't remove the rim if you think that you might ever want to fill the tank with water. It might be OK for something like a breeder or other shorter tank, but this one is too tall.

[Hoppy]

Good news! I'm now the proud owner of an Aqueon 65 gallon tank. Bad news! An Aqueon 65 gallon tank weighs more than my wife and I can move around, especially considering it has to go up one flight of stairs. But, it looks real nice in my PT Cruiser. Now, I just have to recruit a couple of strong guys to move it for me.

EDIT: Success! A couple of my SAPS members came thru for me this afternoon, so the tank is now on the stand, awaiting a black background, then being shoved back against the wall again. When that is done I will post a picture. But, I can say now, it looks great. By using the same proportions as Hydrophyte used for his stand/tank I managed to get a very pleasing set of proportions for this one.