45cm vs 36cm height for 60cm tank (light requirements)

[erwinx]

I am interested in 60cm wide tank and there seem to be 2 standard sizes:
60x30x36
60x45x45

I was reading Nature Aquarium World and noticed Mr Amano mentioning that a 45cm high tank needs a lot more light.

I have 2 x Up Aqua-Z LED, would this be enough for a planted tank with a little bit of CO2? I am thinking of trying to plant a carpet E.tenellus or Eleocharis. Are there any pluses or minuses for going for a 45cm high tank?

Or is it worthwhile to custom make a 60x45x36? Thanks!

[changyao]

just put more soil to push your plants upwards towards the light.

[Mystikboy]

With a tall tank, you can accommodate tall hardscapes and taller plants but as you pointed out, light penetration becomes a problem. I don't think pro z will work quite as well at 45cm. Though tenallus is a relatively low demand plant so that might work.

Customizing is a viable option but it might be quite a bit more pricey

[Urban Aquaria]

I have a friend who uses the Z-Series lights in a 45cm height tank with HC and glosso carpet... but his is a low-tech setup (no Co2 injection, just Excel and some fertilizers), so the light demands at substrate level are less as the overall plant growth is meant to be slower.

But if you are going for a high tech tank setup, then it will be better to go for those 3W per LED lights instead (ie. Evo Series), the extra depth penetration of those higher powered LEDs would be needed to utilize the higher Co2 injection and fertilizer dosage levels in order to maintain faster plant growth.

Alternatively, you can do what changyao suggested, increase the height of the substrate to bring the bottom plants closer to the light source, or go for a scape with tall slopes, put higher light plants at the upper slope and low light plants at the bottom slope.

[erwinx]

thanks for the advice.
one question about those tanks with very high substrate.

Is the height entirely substrate or do you put something like the plastic packaging crate/egg crate below to help "build up" the height of the substrate. Asking because it is rather pricey to purchase several bags of plant soil just to get height....

I've also read on the web people user plastic barriers to keep the sloped substrate from "collapsing"/ "landslide". Wondering what sort of plastic would be appropriate (can I go to Daiso and see what sort of plastic items they have for $2 and use them as supports).

Thanks very much for your advice!

[qngwn]

I used to use the z series LED on a 36cm tall tank. If including the stand, it will be approx 40cm.

Light wise, the z series LED might not be enough for 45cm tank if you're looking for accelerated growth with co2 as the intensity at substrate level would not be strong enough due to the weak LEDs.

As UA said, 3W LEDs are able to reach 45cm comfortably and thus you would be able to grow more plants.

That being said, LEDs are directional and thus the wider your tank, the more LEDs you would need as the spread is not as good as using a T5 light.

[David]

if you are going for a planted tank, its better not to use plastic packaging or egg crate for the matter to build height. A two feet tank does not take up alot of substrate. with regards to terracing, acyclic can be used but why stop short on creativity? Pieces of stone or smaller fragments of wood combination would be a better choice of terracing.

[Urban Aquaria]

I agree with David... pieces of wood and rocks would look more natural, especially when the soil occasionally erodes and expose the supports, at least with wood and rocks it still looks good.

Most LFS sell those small blocks of driftwood (usually used for tying plants on), only 50 cents to $1 each, just get a bunch and use them to bulk up the base and support the slopes, i do that nowadays too.

[erwinx]

Thanks for the advice. I think I've settled on 60x45x45 tank and will pile on at least 10cm on substrate with egg crates on the base of the tank and also use rocks/wood to support the 'slope'

Because of Bro' urban's recommendation, I will probably get tank and cabinet from Green Chapter.

I'm in the strange situation that my home is 5 min from C328 and my office is 5min from East Ocean, but having to travel further to get the tank because there is a demo tank in GC to 'pose' the rocks and their rock selection seems to be the larger than other shops...

At least I can get my regular supplies from East Ocean and C328....

[kanowan]

Can you tell me where can buy 60 45 45 tank?

[Urban Aquaria]

Can you tell me where can buy 60 45 45 tank?

Try East Ocean or Seaview, they might have ready-made tanks in those dimensions in stock... otherwise you could just get it custom made.

If you are considering crystal/low-iron glass versions, can also check at Green Chapter:

http://www.gcshop-sg.com/product_vie...&stm=-1&dsct=0