Changed the lighting on my Clown Tank.

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Martin Thoene
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Changed the lighting on my Clown Tank.

Post by Martin Thoene » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:32 pm

I've been fed up with the visual clutter of the top of this tank for a while now.

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There's the single row flourescent unit with 2 x 3 foot tubes in it. It's very cumbersome and the Clowns don't like the light it produces. In front of that the black box is full of blue Christmas Tree lights and made a reasonable blue moon effect till it went on the frizz the other day. Then the two hanging halogen lights are quite elegant, but the power cable is a visual pain.

I wanted something different. I used to have a lot of halogen lighting in my place in England. Even on my aquarium that some of these Clowns used to live in there. I wanted to use a lot of stuff I shipped over in an innovative way because it seemed the Clowns liked the contrast of pools of bright light and deep shadow.

So I came up with this idea:

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So how does it work? How did I make it?

I'll show you tomorrow. I need to sleep. Got about 4 hours last night.

Martin.
Image Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

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brett_fishman
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Post by brett_fishman » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:02 pm

wow, i love that bamboo!!
good work martin, im sure the clowns love it!!

-brett.
10g Tank - 1 Male Betta
70g Tank - 2 Pearl Gouramis 10 Harlequin Rasboras 4 Neon Tetras 2 SAEs 1 Swordtail

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YellowFinned
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Post by YellowFinned » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:14 pm

Do halogens have the right colour temperature for plants?

Are there different types of halogens?

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brett_fishman
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Post by brett_fishman » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:26 pm

oh yea, martin, that is a 150 right?

thats kinda how i want my 55 to look, big piece of bogwood, covered in java ferns...

-brett.

EDIT: i found your stash of pics martin...looks good..
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10g Tank - 1 Male Betta
70g Tank - 2 Pearl Gouramis 10 Harlequin Rasboras 4 Neon Tetras 2 SAEs 1 Swordtail

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shari2
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Post by shari2 » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:39 am

Lovely.
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Mad Duff
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Post by Mad Duff » Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:47 am

Wow :shock:

I really like it Martin, it certainly does add to the asian theme of the tank really well :D

I want one :lol:
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Pardon my honesty - I am a Northerner

14 loach species bred, which will be next?

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Martin Thoene
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Post by Martin Thoene » Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:36 am

I knew someone would ask about the lighting spectrum :) I'm not 100% sure yellowfin, but the fact is that the plant growth you see comes from a (very) few hours of flourescent light per week. I hardly ever had the lights on. I'm sure with these lights on a set timed cycle that the plants will do even better. Even last night, the Clowns were peeping out and making little forays around the tank. Normally, they would just hide with the other lights on.

Martin.
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Emma Turner
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Post by Emma Turner » Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:31 am

That looks great, Martin. 8) Have you done away with the blue moon lighting altogether now then?

Emma
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YellowFinned
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Post by YellowFinned » Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:34 am

Martin Thoene wrote:I knew someone would ask about the lighting spectrum :) I'm not 100% sure yellowfin, but the fact is that the plant growth you see comes from a (very) few hours of flourescent light per week. I hardly ever had the lights on. I'm sure with these lights on a set timed cycle that the plants will do even better. Even last night, the Clowns were peeping out and making little forays around the tank. Normally, they would just hide with the other lights on.
Yes, I am aware that clowns do not like bright light. Also, I know that too much light, even if it is the right colour, does not help plants. I have got a single MH light above my planted tank, the growth immediately under it is stunted, and towards the sides the growth is much fast and high.

I like your lights because they are simple, inconspicuous and light (I mean they don’t weigh much).

chris1932
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Post by chris1932 » Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:01 am

What is the plant on the far right hand side that has long thin leaves? As always very nice tank/innovative ideas.
Hello all from Happy River
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brett_fishman
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Post by brett_fishman » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:45 am

it might be Corkscrew Val. or Jungle Val.

-brett.
10g Tank - 1 Male Betta
70g Tank - 2 Pearl Gouramis 10 Harlequin Rasboras 4 Neon Tetras 2 SAEs 1 Swordtail

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Emma Turner
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Post by Emma Turner » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:08 pm

brett_fishman wrote:it might be Corkscrew Val. or Jungle Val.

-brett.
Brett,

Your enthusiasm is great, but this is Martin's aquarium and the question is directed at him - so please give him time to answer!

Many thanks,

Emma
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brett_fishman
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Post by brett_fishman » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:17 pm

just suggesting!! sorry martin..im probably wrong though..

-brett.
10g Tank - 1 Male Betta
70g Tank - 2 Pearl Gouramis 10 Harlequin Rasboras 4 Neon Tetras 2 SAEs 1 Swordtail

Mark in Vancouver
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Post by Mark in Vancouver » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:46 pm

The loach tiki palace is lookin' mighty fine, Martin.
Your vantage point determines what you can see.

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cybermeez
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Post by cybermeez » Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:00 pm

Mark in Vancouver wrote:The loach tiki palace is lookin' mighty fine, Martin.
Yes very nice! I imagine Tiki torches would be out of the question due to local fire codes, no?

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