Coffee table aquarium - Set up

Hi All,

I used to have Mbuna's in the tank, but that was quite some time ago.

The tank dimensions is 70cm * 70cm * 32cm, with about a 10cm gap at the top and then a Glass cover on the top, hence a coffee table. I will try and post some pics tmrw.

I want to turn it into a planted aquarium and since I don't know that much about this particular topic I need some advice regarding all the equipment I require.

So here is my list:

Substrate

5 bags of ADA Aquasoil Amazonia 9L
ADA Bacter Ball
ADA Green Brighty Step 1
ADA Multi Bottom

Eheim Filter - Not sure which one to get and which ones are available in SA. Was think about the Professional 350T.

Co2 - Aquariumdepot.co.za have a good looking regulator(solenoid valve etc) and they have bottles as well. What else will I need and besides the bottle and regulator and where do I find it. Seems like no ADA accessories are available yet.

I considered the ADA CO2 Advanced system, but I've read that it is only for tanks up to 15G and mine is about 35G or 140L.

Lighting - Here I would also have liked to go with ADA, maybe I should ask Sean how long it would take to order me a Grand Solar I and stand. What and where else in SA can I find what I'm looking for. As it is a coffee table tank it is standing on the ground, so I will need a stand for the light as well. This will obviously come above the glass "cover" and the light will have to pass through it.

I don't want to waste money, but lets assume I can afford the best equipment that will be suitable for my tank. Everyone's help will be appreciated and I will post a picture of the tank so that you know what it looks like.

Last thing. I will be aiming for some sort of Iwagumi set up.

 

Hi

For some reason I always liked these coffee tables.

Are you gonna have the tank in the middle of the room or against a wall?

The one problem I had with these was where do you go with all the wires etc for the equipment?

You should post some pics when you can.

 

click on The Planted Tank advert on our forum, they have ada items, may just have the co2

 

Here is what it looked like before. Since I have taken off the crossbars at the top where the lights were. It was imported T5 lights, about 30cm long. Couldn't find replacements and they won't work for a planted tank.

The tank also looks nicer that way, cause it is more open now and only the four pillars that is not glass.

 

Hey Drogo...

Firstly, where are you based?

Now, for a tank that size you wont need that much Aquasoil. I think 3 bags would be more than enough. I have a 60cm cube tank and 2 bags filled that just perfectly. So 3 bags will be more than enough. You wont need the Multi Bottom until the setup has been running for around 12 - 18 months as the aquasoil has all the nutrients needed. I would suggest though, that you go for Step 1 as well as Brighty K. The Brighty K adds potassium to the tank. The fish poop and excess food will add your Nitrogen and potassium.

The Co2 system that I am selling will not be big enough for that tank. But I am in the process of trying to get hold of cheaper Co2 systems. Regulator, 2kg bottle and Diffuser for a good price. I also have Co2 accessories, such as Beetle 30 diffuser, Bubble Counter and Pollen glass. Just PM me what you are after and we can work it out.

To be brutally honest though, I do think that a grand solar would be totally unnecessary on that tank as it would need to be suspended over the tank. What lighting is currently in there?

Also, what plants are you thinking about?

Drop me a pm if you need to ask any questions.

 

wow! thats a good set up there

 

@Vis

Yes, hiding the equipment could be a problem. Previously it wasn't though. The tank has two build in "canister" filter is two of the corners, and the lights were build into the 4 sides of the tank. The pictures below shows it's new placement in the room. There will be space behind the speaker to "hide" the eheim filter and CO2 canister, so you'll only see it if you walk right up to the end of the room. The best I can do and I'm happy enough with that.

@Sean

LOL, brutally honesty is exactly what I want. So let's start with the light. If you take a look at the pictures you'll see the original light fixtures. The measuring tape is a bit unclear, but it says 48 cm for the fixtures and 35cm for the light itself. You will also see that I have taken this off and the tank has a bit of a cleaner look that I quite like.

Ok thanks, 3 bags then, Brighty K and Step 1 & 2. Anything else, like the bacter balls?

I explored all the options that I am aware off and in the end decided that a pendant hanging over the tank would not be so bad. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to put them out there.

As for the CO2, I'm definitely interested in your "new" set-up that you are getting together, as well as the Beetle 30 diffuser, pollen glass and bubbe counter. That would be all of it then for CO2, right?

Please also give me some advice about the filter, thought Eheim 350T would be nice cause it has the heating and everything, but again, any reasons why or why not would be appreciated as well as possible alternatives

Here is the pics:

 

Ok, as to the plants I intend to put in there and the layout, I might as well let you all help with it. I have a bit of an strange idea, so here goes.

I want to have "rolling hills" in the tank with the flat rocks laying in the hills, not the ones sticking out into the air. Then I want to split the hills in the middle with a s shaped "path". But instead of a white path I want to try and make it look like a river by using fine blue sand and then sprinkle fine white sand in strings on the top to make it look like the river is running. Then I also want one tree that has a nice big branch hanging over the river.

I know I know, it is an ambitious and strange idea, but that's what I was thinking.

For the hills I was thinking HC.

All along the river I want to use something that will look like cane (riete in Afrikaans, lol) and then of course some type of moss to create the look of a tree. So maybe you guys can give me some suggestions as to which type of plant will work best for these purposes.

Please let me know what you think of the slightly :stupid: idea...

 

What about two eheim aquaballs in each corner at the windows or even a HOB could work well aquaclear 70, on the speaker side - then you keep the water in the tank.

Also for lights .. I've spotted some water proof LED strips - that might just work.

Later Ferdie

 

might need to cast that in resin if you want it to stay that way.

 

Sounds good Drogo.

Just a bit of warning trimming moss in a setup like this is gonna be a nighmare if you don't do it right.

 

Hi Ferdie,

Thanks for the advice on the filters, will go and read a bit. As for the led strips, I've seen these: http://www.led-lights.co.za/lumi-shop/waterproof-flexible-strip-light/

But from what I've read they aren't strong enough for a planted tank. Yes, they are 10k, but something about the lumens per meter that isn't anywhere close to what we need. I don't know much about all the terms, but I think on MASA they have quite a big discussion about these.

 

LOL, Vis I saw some comments on the net about the difficulty with moss, maybe i should just keep the tree bare then, I'll still be happy with it and then I will only be working with two different plants which will make it easier.

I'll rather start out as easy as possible and then later add the moss if I think I'm up to the task.

 

Drogo where are you from?

You can use one of the fissidens mosses as they small and look great. Can even be used as a replacement ground cover if done right.

 

Mmm, that sounds tricky. I saw one set-up on the net with "water" and it did seem to be some kind of "jelly" like substance instead of sand.

If I can't get this water thing going, I will change the whole look. Maybe do a Iwagumi semi circle kinda effect so that it also look interesting if you walk up to it and look at it from above.

 

Hi Vis,

I'm in Cape Town.

Yeah, that looks nice. Would look a lot more like grass than HC for the carpet.

 

I had an idea you could use if you were close enough to come get some rocks.

 

ah - but since you moved the table to the side of the room - you will probably want less of a top view on the tank - so that leaves you with the ability to run multiple strips so that the side profile does not show the lights, but that is looks like the table top is the light. Not convinced the 5050's are the way to go .. stick to the eco white .. more lumen for your buck.

 

What do you guys think about this? It is from http://www.aquaristikshop.com. Do you know of anyone who can bring these in for me or would I have to order them myself?

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The Aquaristik shop is a good shop. You would have to bring them in yourself. They will send you the products, and then you will get a collection notice from the post office. You will have to pay the post office the VAT and duties on the products. Usually budget an extra 20% for this to be safe. Sometimes it is less.