4ft Double Tube Light fitting......

I Would agree with @f-fish 800mm Is way too deep go for 650mm and water level @600mm

 

Thanks for the advice Ferdie and Barry, will research a bit more. The tank will stand on top of a 1m high wall with supports on one side strengthened to carry the load and inside an opening roughly 1,2m high visible from three sides. And I want to see as much tank as possible.............

Barry, we will discuss on Saturday.

 

Not a problem we wil see how this can be done.

 

@Oldtimer , glad you sorted.
Unfortunately I don't have live plants..... My fish just don't allow it..
after years of trying, I eventually gave up. So plastic is all I could offer

 

MariaS,

Reading in the threads in the "Planted Tanks" section I think I may join you in the plastics department..........

Jeepers but it seems the planted tanks are more work and more stress than I need.

I want to sit back and enjoy watching the fish swimming around.

As I said, I will review my decision and can change my mind at a moment's notice. I know I will never enter a "tank of the month" competition, there are many more people working their back sides off to get to that level. I am far too fat and lazy for that!!!!

 

Hahha had to laugh at you...

I tried hey... I really did.. Every time I scape everything beautifully and stand back and admire my art.... I haven't even turned my back and someone will either lie on the plants (comfy bed) or decide the tank needs to be rearranged again...
Eventually I threw in the towel!

 

@Oldtimer i will take a drive to pretoria to convince u to to stick to planted, but in order to do that u will have to drop the heigh of your tankbas mentioned above.
Dont be intimidated by what is said on the forum, u dont need to go hitec with your plants, you can go with easy plants that dont require much maintenance. And let it grow out. I havent touched my tank in over 2 months now other than water topups.
Plants make for a healthier more natural environment for your fish and you can get away with much more if u have plants.
And it looks amazing.
Im not a plant expert inprobably know the least about plants amongst planted tank owners and im still able to keep a planted tank.

 

That's your dream tank setup and what you really want, take a deep breath and go for it. All off us end up in the deep end sometimes . you have the whole forum to help.

 

Any updates @Oldtimer?

 

I agree with you 100% which is why i tried for so long but unfortunately with the big rays its just impossible
Not because its difficult but every time they glide over the plants they either break or squash them
That's why I had to eventually just give up