Making my 150g dream tank a reality

[JK47]

That sucks about the tank, sorry! Is that background the chiba or bulu point? I really like it either way. I ruined my mangrove background installing it in my 300 last night.. drop me a PM when you get ready to think install.

 

[RedDwarf]

Wow, that background looks great, now which way would it look better in, right side up or upside down?

You sure have a lot of patience Natalie, I don't think I could wait 2 weeks if I knew my tank was ready and waiting for me. But I guess it would work out better this way, since when your family comes over you can have your dad check out the floor and perhaps we can see the tank full of water (have my fingers crossed for you).

That Midas of yours is sure one lucky fish, all that space to grow huge in.

And on the driftwood arrangement, from left to right, I really like the way the first two pieces seem to match together. Might I suggest you position the last piece on the far right to look more vertical so it looks more tree trunk, root like. It would also free up more space in the tank and give the Midas and tank more of a shading effect especially with your led lights.

Speaking of your lights, did you get them yet, I'm very curious how much shimmer effect it's going to provide. It's so much easier than the led fixture I put together for my anemone tank.

 

[Natalie]

Awesome background, cant wait to see it in the tank!!

Thanks, I can't wait to set it up either.

That sucks about the tank, sorry! Is that background the chiba or bulu point? I really like it either way. I ruined my mangrove background installing it in my 300 last night.. drop me a PM when you get ready to think install.

OMG really? I hope it's not as bad as you're making it sound. I'll PM you now about installation.
It's the Bulu Point background.

You sure have a lot of patience Natalie, I don't think I could wait 2 weeks if I knew my tank was ready and waiting for me. But I guess it would work out better this way, since when your family comes over you can have your dad check out the floor and perhaps we can see the tank full of water (have my fingers crossed for you).

That Midas of yours is sure one lucky fish, all that space to grow huge in.

And on the driftwood arrangement, from left to right, I really like the way the first two pieces seem to match together. Might I suggest you position the last piece on the far right to look more vertical so it looks more tree trunk, root like. It would also free up more space in the tank and give the Midas and tank more of a shading effect especially with your led lights.

Speaking of your lights, did you get them yet, I'm very curious how much shimmer effect it's going to provide. It's so much easier than the led fixture I put together for my anemone tank.

Thanks RedDwarf. Patience is actually not a strong point for me, but I know I have no choice about this one. My dad will take great care of the tank, so I know it's in good hands for the next few weeks.

Neat suggestion with the driftwood, thanks! I'll try fiddling around with the piece on the right. There is a way to have it stand straight up but it's pretty precarious and easily knocked over. Maybe I can find a way to anchor it with some rocks or something.

I did get the LED lights in. I tried one of them over my 40g. It had lots of shimmer but was a little weak IMO. I'm hoping once it's placed inside the canopy that most of the light will be directed down into the tank rather than all over the place. I wonder if I could install some type of material on the underside of the canopy lids to act as a reflector???



Q: Any suggestions out there for hardy plants I could attach to the driftwood? I just want maybe one or two, and they might not last long with the Midas. I love Vallisneria and java moss. If anyone has experience with these, I'd love to hear some tips because I do NOT have a green thumb!

 

[RedDwarf]

Reflectors aren't really going to help much with led lights, the light it emits is pretty much directional and you would use a lens to focus the light. When it's mounted it should be direct the light down into your tank.

As for plants, I've had good luck with java moss, java fern and anubias. I usually tie the plant to the driftwood and pack java moss around the base with some green thread. You could also use some sphagnum moss to make a pseudo root ball with some java moss on the outside. I love the look of moss on driftwood, it really dresses it up. You could also spot hot glue some moss on the background to.

More on the extreme of java moss covering driftwood, but you get an idea of what it would look like.

 

[JK47]

IMO you should mount the BG just as sits. If your planning oin running your heaters/plumbing behind it, you can drill lots of holes on the underside of the cracks ib the BG. That way you have lots of flow through it but the holes are hidded from straight on and upper viewing angles. What's the height on your stand if you don't mind my asking? Knowing what you viewing angles (tank+stand height) will be the deciding factor on install.

Yeah I learned a few "if I had to do it again" lessons yesterday installing a 79" BG. I don't mind being 2 for 3 but would have rather messed up a 10 gallon not a 300 gallon lolz..

 

[BrandonJ]

this is gonna be one happy midas!!!!

 

[Natalie]

IMO you should mount the BG just as sits. If your planning oin running your heaters/plumbing behind it, you can drill lots of holes on the underside of the cracks ib the BG. That way you have lots of flow through it but the holes are hidded from straight on and upper viewing angles. What's the height on your stand if you don't mind my asking? Knowing what you viewing angles (tank+stand height) will be the deciding factor on install.

The stand is 30" tall. I was thinking just what you were-- that there should be some really good hidden areas in the background for drilling holes! I'm glad I went with this one. I'm wondering if I'll even have to cover the back of the holes with mesh. Maybe just the largest ones (~1.5" in diameter).

Do you think a 2" gap behind the background would be big enough? The filter hoses are 1" in diameter and the heater is about 1" thick. The only other thing I can imagine putting back there is a powerhead, which would be a tight fit but if I could get a one of those Hydor ones they tend to be pretty small.

 

[Natalie]

Reflectors aren't really going to help much with led lights, the light it emits is pretty much directional and you would use a lens to focus the light. When it's mounted it should be direct the light down into your tank.

As for plants, I've had good luck with java moss, java fern and anubias. I usually tie the plant to the driftwood and pack java moss around the base with some green thread. You could also use some sphagnum moss to make a pseudo root ball with some java moss on the outside. I love the look of moss on driftwood, it really dresses it up. You could also spot hot glue some moss on the background to

Okay thanks for the info on the lights.
As for the plants, you can use hot glue inside a tank? Really???

this is gonna be one happy midas!!!!

Thanks

 

[Natalie]

Holy crap, you guys. This Eheim filter is massive. There's no way pictures can describe it, other than using a person as a size reference. Here's yours truly struggling to hold this thing off the ground!

Yep, this oughtta do it!

 

[R1_Ridah]

Holy crap, you guys. This Eheim filter is massive. There's no way pictures can describe it, other than using a person as a size reference. Here's yours truly struggling to hold this thing off the ground!

Yep, this oughtta do it!

WOW.... now I'm envious.... Tell me how you like it as I'm leaning towards purchasing another Eheim filter...