centre design

[babyhidjaya]

Hi guys. i'm planning to make a new tank as a room devider.(w2mx d70cmx h60cm). use metalhalide. need help to setup the plant. must be centre design. anyone have an idea what plants should i plant or the design?thanks.

[lorba]

If the tank stretches from a wall outwards, you can try building a downward slope into an opening.

For a hassle free set up, you can try stacking wood into a Spur shape and place different ferns and anubias along the ridgeline and spur side.

For the opening plains, use low foreground.

I suggest you use some panel MH like Dymax or Arcardia with both FL and MH build in. It will be useful if you decided to switch to low maintenance from a high light stem plant tank.

[babyhidjaya]

thanks lorba, my tank get one side stretches on wall.(the depth side).i think i need a tall stem plants too. is blyxa aubertii can use in this tank?how about the CO2 distribution?do i have to use 2 outlet?
and onething , is eheim prof II enough for the filteration? or i have to make a biological filter for it?

[lorba]

Do you mean it is a partition wall tank?

There are many tall plants, blyxa aubertii is one. However, the diameter span is huge when it matures and you need to plant space for it. It may not be growing too well/nicely once it is crowded or have insufficient light. Personally, it is not a very good scaping choice for me. A more slender, longish species will be better. You can try valisneria species, cryptocoryne species (balansae, spiralis, restrospiralis), or some echinodorus species (augustifolia) etc.

2 outlets are good if you have, 1 for lower water column and 1 for upper water column if possible. You can use an submersible pump for that purpose. I use it for big or long tanks to improve water circulation and preventing stagnant spots.

A pro II seems a little insufficient for a 2m. 1 at each corner will be good. Usually, for tank of such size, I go for at least 2 filters and maybe even 2 CO2 tanks. It depends on what you are trying to do inside.

[babyhidjaya]

yes lorba it is for partition.the one depth side face strecthes to the wall.thats why i need tall plants. i saw a lot in aqua journal but all of them are not as centre design. so i ask in forum for the idea. about the submersible, do i need 2 too? can the submersible make the co2 reach the other end of tank? you said that you use 2 tank of Co2? how about 1 tank and use a split valve. can effective or not? how if i use biological filter under the tank. so it will be an overflow tank?but i got an information that the outlet water from the filter may not make a water fall. can make no use of Co2.sorry for my english. hope you understand. thanks

[lorba]

How much have you executed this planning?

The submersible is just a optional piece which is not really practised among the hobbyists. As long as the current is strong enough, the co2 will be more or less well distributed across the aquarium.

The purpose of 2 CO2 outlet is to make sure the distribution and supply is more even during the switched on period. This is more for long tanks or deep one like yours.

Overflow system is actually used by most professional companies. But for certain design and consideration, it is not always applicable.

[babyhidjaya]

i'm just make the tank. why i'm asking you about the filteration. because if i use an overflow sys i have to make hole at my tank and use pvc pipe. that's can disrupt the harmony of the tank. but after read your explanation ,i decide to use a canister filter. so it will be easier for me as a beginer. i will contact you. thank a lot.

[lorba]

Hi baby,

making overflow does not necessary create a lot of disrupt. If you observe of the ADA tanks, they uses overflow at both corner, just like a marine tank.

For certain set up, the hole drilled can be extended to the surface by a black PVC as a small overflow or surface skimmer, into a sump tank.

The outlet, similarly by drilling holes, can be powered by pumps beneath using power heads. The location of outlets are up to you design in any location and height. But there are some maths to do for amount of intake and outpump at the sump tank below.

Canister filter will make life much easier with help of submersible powerhead.