Okay i need your guys help before my head explodes trying to understand it...
This whole time i've had the tank filled and running, i had a piece of cardboard painted black, taped to the back of the aquarium (as previously posted). From the front it always looked dingy and cloudy. I didn't understand why no matter what I did, it never got better. I even took pictures every day to judge the difference so i could show myself that even if there was a little progress, that it was better than nothing. But nothing ever changed. I also been messing with my light trying to figure out where i liked it best. My tank is a 55 with a center brace, and a two piece glass lid that i'm sure you are familiar with (covers the whole top, two pieces, but each side tilts open independantly so there is another center brace as part of the lid). I'd go a few days with it towards the back, a few days with it towards the front, never quite figured out where i liked it. it always made shadows in different spots and i still never saw the background clear up.
Today, I decided to swap out the cardboard for a bright blue posterboard so i could better monitor the progress. Figured it would be pretty obvious when it's clearing up because i'd be able to see the bright blue better and better. It was getting really disapointing and discouraging. I've busted my ass with this thing being meticulous, buying an awesome filter, all the extras for inside, cleaning the tank regularly, scrubbing the glass you name it....But then it hit me....
It's the light.
If i take the light and move it to JUST in front of the tank, and keep it level with the top of the tank, it's like being in a dark room and all of a sudden switching on an industrial flood light. Holy crap the water is as clear as air, you can read a damn book through the tank, and the background is as if you are holding it right in front of you. THIS showed me everything i've done was worth it. this is what i was trying to achieve and i did it but it's always been hidden.
So now what are my options? Changing lights? Am i doing something wrong? i'm using the mounts that came with the light (Fluval 247 planted plus). I'm guessing if the tank is that bad looking from the naked eye, that the plants must not be getting enough light either but i'm not a scientist or very smart. Keep in mind this is all being tested with the light on "max." not using one of the 247 modes. Is this just something that will be typical of all lights? Would i be better suited with an in tank background? Am i being too much of a nit picking idiot? lol
edit: also, i read about one of the big marketing things behind backgrounds are that it will hide all the cords hoses etc from the tank...well i don't have that problem cuz i can't see anything lol
This whole time i've had the tank filled and running, i had a piece of cardboard painted black, taped to the back of the aquarium (as previously posted). From the front it always looked dingy and cloudy. I didn't understand why no matter what I did, it never got better. I even took pictures every day to judge the difference so i could show myself that even if there was a little progress, that it was better than nothing. But nothing ever changed. I also been messing with my light trying to figure out where i liked it best. My tank is a 55 with a center brace, and a two piece glass lid that i'm sure you are familiar with (covers the whole top, two pieces, but each side tilts open independantly so there is another center brace as part of the lid). I'd go a few days with it towards the back, a few days with it towards the front, never quite figured out where i liked it. it always made shadows in different spots and i still never saw the background clear up.
Today, I decided to swap out the cardboard for a bright blue posterboard so i could better monitor the progress. Figured it would be pretty obvious when it's clearing up because i'd be able to see the bright blue better and better. It was getting really disapointing and discouraging. I've busted my ass with this thing being meticulous, buying an awesome filter, all the extras for inside, cleaning the tank regularly, scrubbing the glass you name it....But then it hit me....
It's the light.
If i take the light and move it to JUST in front of the tank, and keep it level with the top of the tank, it's like being in a dark room and all of a sudden switching on an industrial flood light. Holy crap the water is as clear as air, you can read a damn book through the tank, and the background is as if you are holding it right in front of you. THIS showed me everything i've done was worth it. this is what i was trying to achieve and i did it but it's always been hidden.
So now what are my options? Changing lights? Am i doing something wrong? i'm using the mounts that came with the light (Fluval 247 planted plus). I'm guessing if the tank is that bad looking from the naked eye, that the plants must not be getting enough light either but i'm not a scientist or very smart. Keep in mind this is all being tested with the light on "max." not using one of the 247 modes. Is this just something that will be typical of all lights? Would i be better suited with an in tank background? Am i being too much of a nit picking idiot? lol
edit: also, i read about one of the big marketing things behind backgrounds are that it will hide all the cords hoses etc from the tank...well i don't have that problem cuz i can't see anything lol
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