[Freemananana]

This is strikingly similar to my build! The 75g is awesome and I think black diamond is the bees knees! I think I went with a 30/60 too. I personally don't mind the rim, I almost prefer it for lids. But I'm a big fan of black. My 30g has a wood trim like that and it looks off when next to different wood grains.

Hoping to follow this as it comes together. I always like to see similar builds to grab ideas. Seems like a great start. Do you have any doodle plans?

 

[Freemananana]

Doodle plans as in plant arrangement?

Yeah, something like that. Or any sort of hint as the direction you are going. I see where you said you may opt for inline CO2, which is cool for sure. I haven't made that leap yet. I'd also be interested in your proposed stocking list. See what kind of plans you have in that department.

 

[Freemananana]

Also would yall do 2 finnex planted plus, or 2 ray2 for medium lighting? Or 1 of each?

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=840209&page=5

I linked his thread because he is using 1 Ray2 for medium lighting on a 90 gallon. I'm pretty sure just 1 Ray2 would work for you too. Medium lighting is enough to grow most, if not all, plants. Anything more is just faster growth according to most experts. The CO2 needs of plants is more demanding than lighting levels when you get into medium light, from what I've read.

Note: He says 2 Ray2 fixtures, but they are 24" long so I am convinced that is similar enough to 1 48" fixture. He added another 30" fixture (or something like that) and proceeded to up his CO2 and ferts to compensate for algae.

I'd go with a Ray2 and MAYBE a 24/7 if you want to run a second light. The 24/7 would give you the cool effects, slightly increased par, and a good mid day burst of light when ran in conjunction with a Ray2.

You're probably at 70 par at the substrate with a Ray2 on a 21" tall tank. This accounts for the substrate itself taking up space. This is high medium light or low high light, depending on who you ask.

 

[Freemananana]

sorry to ask but since i am working on the stand atm can you get me par data on the planted plus

That is a graph put together by a hobbyist I believe. The one before was 'official' from Finnex. You can extrapolate the data to make up for the difference in sensors used.

Here is finnex's data for the 36" RAY2. So you can compare them to each other and adjust this graph.

Looks like the graph is roughly 3/4 of what Finnex rated the fixture at.

 

[Freemananana]

Driftwood and hardscape are a lot of personal preference. I am more of a fan of the thicker manzanita, not the twiggy pieces. I worry one of my fish it going to be as agile as I am and stick themselves with one of the bits.

Good luck on the stand. I'm still adding finishing touches to mine and I've ran the tank in it and moved it inside. haha.

 

[Freemananana]

That 30L looks fun! I don't really have any advice on the bracing though. But I hope you don't run into any trouble.

 

[Freemananana]

I wish I had gone with something else (stain wise). I used red oak on my stand. I almost wish I had gone with ebony or something like that. Really dark.

But I'm interested to see how it comes out!

 

[Freemananana]

Oooh ahhhhh.

Finding a scape that you like to give you a more visual goal is always good. I think that is why my current scape turned out better than me just going off an idea in my head. I'm interested to see how the swords look in your scape. I'm a big fan of amazon swords. They grow well for me.

 

[Freemananana]

I love the long leaves on the sword. It looks good. I had some with longer stems than leaves and it looked goofy.

Any update on the stain? I've heard mixed things about minwax. Mostly it running and being of lesser quality. But I did a coffee table, corner table and my stand with it and have had no real issues. It isn't show room nice or antique quality, but it looks good to me.

 

[Freemananana]

It is probably okay... I couldn't find anything reliable while searching. I would, personally, do a glass brace in the middle. A euro brace maybe? It is a 4' long tank, it is hard to suggest it be without a brace. Then again, these tanks are typically 1/4" glass now. What is the thickness of this one?

 

[Freemananana]

I'd still opt for a small glass brace in the center. It really shouldn't change the look, but it is entirely up to you. I live in a rental with carpet and any amount of water on the ground is basically a no-no for me! haha. I've seen acrylic tanks bow FAR more than that and be ran without issues.

Also, good job on the stand. Different woods (paneling in particular) absorb more liquid and the color just takes more layers to reach the surface.

 

[Freemananana]

I really like the 33L now that it is filled! What are you going to cycle the 75 with? Ammonia?

 

[Freemananana]

Gotcha! Be careful with that. I just swapped from a 30g to my 75g and when I moved the entire filter over I ended up with a mini cycle. I have new substrate, but kept everything else. I don't think I was getting enough flow through the established media because the volume of water was so large.