Reid

Hello all!

I am currently on the slow process of setting up my 33 gallon tank. I have decided to plant this tank and turn it into a small tropical community oasis. All the plants are going to be low light plants (java moss, java fern, lace java fern, anubis) that will need to be tied down instead of planting. After the amount of research I have done, I feel this will be the best for a beginner to attempt and will give the best chance for success. I am going to post the process of everything I have done in one post after it is all finished, but I have an idea for my lighting that I am not sure will work that I need answered before I can continue with the build.

So first, here is what I have:
33g, L-3', W-12.5", H-18.25"
Aqua clear 300
topper that came with the tank (black)
30" 25 watt florescent tube in black light canopy (also that came with the tank)
haven't picked out a heater yet
2 medium pieces of bog wood
still researching tank mates
Tank not started cycling yet, still trying to completed the set up and finish the building of slate caves (and possible multi-stage cave wall, I will post all the pictures of the build after completion)

My set-up:
I have decided to put this tank under my 75g as I was thinking about building a wooden cabinet around the metal frame, but thought this would be a better resolution price wise, visually, and to calm my MTS itch.

So I shelved the bottom of the 75g frame, and supported the shelf with 4x4 supports under the tank area to take the stress off of the frame that already is holding a lot of weight. Now here is my idea for lighting that Im not sure would work....

I have a florescent light strip that contains 2-48" Phillips F40T12 plant and aquarium 40 Watt tubes that is sitting in my storage. I am currently in the process of building a glass top to replace the back top on the tank now, and was thinking, instead of ripping the current hood apart and building a DYI light hood with CFLs....I could hang the light strip under the 75g above the 33g for lighting? I thought this would be a nice effect as the light would almost be hidden under the 75g and with the glass top would offer a different view into the tank as it is going to be low.

So the WPG would be just over 2, but the tubes would be about 4.5 inches away from the tank top, and would be overlapping the tank on both sides by 6" so I'm thinking I am going to lose quite a bit of WPG as a result of this....right?

So my question is, if I use this method of lighting, will it be enough/too much for the plants I am planning on keeping? I can lower the light fixture, or raise it about one more inch if I need to. Or I can take the CFL hood approach, but I really like the idea of not having anything on the glass top.

Thank you all in advance for your help. I cant wait to finish this tank off and get the pictures up of its build!! Cheers!!

Nate McFin

I dont think tht would be too much at all. Get building and post those pics!

pepetj

As Nate McFin says... pics wanted!

I honestly believe your lights will work well.

I want to see how you reinforced the 75gal stand.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Reid

That's good news! I'm glad to hear positive feedback, I was worried it wasn't going to work.

Here are the picks I took the other day when I put the shelf in. (You can probably get a better idea of what I am thinking about doing by seeing the j peg.)

The first picture I took to visualize what it would look like.

Then I ripped a pine board I had in my storage to do a test fit in picture 2

Then I centered the tank on the bottom of the ripped piece, and traced it. Then I took the cut 4x4 pieces (which measure from the top of the bottom metal support from the 75g stand, to the concrete below the carpet) and placed them just off the corners of the traced tank outlines (that way the 4x4 would be about 1 inch outside the traced corners) and screwed them in place within the trace lines so when the tank was on top, you would not see the screw heads.

Then I put some screws in the rear of the shelf and installed 2 power bars. (one for the 75g and one for the 33g)

Then I set the tank back in there to visualize again, and think about changes I want to make.

So when I have finished this thing, Ill create a bunch of posts with each project I complete (fully pictured, process detailed, and cost). As you can see this project has a long way to go!! Hope the pictures give a better visualization for everyone!

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Nate McFin

Nice start Reid. I cant wait to see the rest of the build. Since you will have 2W per gln will you be doing a planted tank?

Reid

Yes I am planted tank, but all low light plants. Right now I am working on some sort of a stone background and trying to think what I should do with the wood shelf. I have a crazy idea of planting some house plants around the sides of the tank since I am already going to have light, may as well use it. I have a lot of planning to do still.

I'm happy to hear positive feedback about those lights though, that will same me a lot of money and time. Ill be posting everything in the DIY section of the forum as I get things finished. Cheers!

Reid

Things have changed a bit since the first post...lol I now have 4, 48" 40w T12s above the 33g.....

ok, so here is where I am at with the build:

My semi finished lighting project for the dual tank set up.

I am thinking about filling all 4 spots with Phillips 40w aquarium and plant F40T12s (I found them at home depot for $7.95) but feel like this is going to be to much light. What do you think? What would you put in the fixture? I know the math says its 4.8 WPG, but the fixture is above the tank by about 8", and over lap the tank on either side by 6", so I think it is actually much less. Is this true?

I need some ideas as I have never had a planted tank before and this is my first experience with all of this stuff. I think the idea is working out well so far, but don't know if this is acceptable or not. I'm not stuck on any type of plant quite yet, but it looks like it is not going to be a low light planted tank anymore.

To much light? Should I use different bulbs? Possibly get a bigger tank for the bottom? Any advice is greatly appreciated! I cant wait for this build to be over so I can enjoy it!!

Cheers!!