Troys new tank

I like that wood Troy. You don't maybe think that the wood could be leeching something that is causeing that problem?

 

dude, read this : http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/driftwood/41945-driftwood-notes.html

it explains everything

 

Thought it had something to do with living matter.

 

Whatever it is it seems to be going away.

Iv added a little bit more plants. Going to get just a little more this weekend.
To me i think that this is so far the best tank i have done. Patience is/was the key!

 

Hey guys

I seem to have a little bit of a problem. This might be hard to explain but i will do my best!

Tank heater was set to 28. I got between 26 and 27 after a few days! Temp was stable untill i added the 2 extra lights.
The temp raised by about 5 whilst lights were on.

I adjusted the temp to be lower. Ran it for a day and got the required temp.
Now, when lights are turned off temp drops by 7!!!(19)

Now the only way i THINK will sort this out is have another heater.
This heater will run on a timer, will turn on 20m before the lights go off(will be on timer too)
Question is will this do the trick?
Any other way of doing this?

Im open to suggestions here, really stuck in the mud here lol

 

Raise your lights a little and make sure there is a gap in your glass lid
so hot air can escape.

 

Raising my lights will be a tad too difficult.
There is a gap right around the tank.

Im going to have to build something to suspend it from the roof.
Problem is its in our dinning room, so basically it a HUGE fat NO!

I need to replace the lights with high light and low heat? Is there? Where? lol Light Noobie alert!

 

u using the flood lights? thats why i used the cfls.. halogen lights get too hot..

otherwise, y not create ur own pc fan over the tank? im not sure how ur tank is configured but ive seen ppl use this method to keep the temp down

 

Nice little DIY article about it:

http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/DIY-Light-Hood-Fan/10/

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=146334

 

No havent got the floodlights yet.

Going to play with the system a bit tonight and see what happens

Dont have a hood


P.S i will update the tank tonight with a pic or 2

 

if ur using flourecent tubes, it shouldnt make such a huge difference in temp.. is ur temp thermo near the lights by any chance? maybe thats what reading the weird temp figures?

just a thought..

oh and if u want another highlight low heat solution, can try out LED's.. very new tech interms of planted tanks.. but worth a shot bit expensive though

 

Could be that....:wondering: never though about that. Will check it out.
The Flourecent tubes get very hot! Cant even touch it if its on....

Any idea where i might find these LED's? Will have a look at my options

 

LEDs also outlast most or even all light sources.. so maybe the initial costs are explainable

 

well they do sell led lighting fixtures online.. im not sure where in sa though.. but ive seen lots of DIY with super bright LEDs.. maybe do a google to see?

i think ebay might have some stuff too..

also, i really think that the thermo being close to the surface and lights may be a contributing factor.. sometimes its the simplest things that cripple us

 

Thanks will have a look.

In the mean time when i get home im going to move the thermo to the bottom and see what happens. Hope that sorts it out

 

I have a guy who sold me some. was dam expensive though! R450 for a 21w 4ft tube in 6500k. sms il give you his number.

 

Just a little update. Will be getting a few high plants tomorrow then will be left to grow out

 

tank looks good man! and that snail is huge ! :0

 

very nice man..really like the wood!what did the thermo say though?

 

That looks neat.Are you going to let the plants grow in before you add fish?