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I bet pple would ask you to go for 4ft, with some asking you to go for a 5ft or 6ft since cost is not a factor.[] [
I would recommend a 4ft by 2ft by 2ft. 4ft is better than 3ft as 4ft lights set are easier to get.
i have only been into this planted tank hobby for less than a year...
currently, i only have a 1.25ft experimental planted tank in my office and have made some progress...
i intend to try my hand on a bigger tank when my new flat comes middle of next year...
so now the problem is should i go for 3ft or 4ft?
assuming cost is not a big issue...
any major differences in terms of say maintenance or availability of equipment?
any comments would be much appreciated.
I bet pple would ask you to go for 4ft, with some asking you to go for a 5ft or 6ft since cost is not a factor.[
I would recommend a 4ft by 2ft by 2ft. 4ft is better than 3ft as 4ft lights set are easier to get.
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but i am still new at this... i doubt i can handle anything bigger than a 4ft leh...----------------
On 12/5/2002 10:37:41 AM
I bet pple would ask you to go for 4ft, with some asking you to go for a 5ft or 6ft since cost is not a factor.[
I would recommend a 4ft by 2ft by 2ft. 4ft is better than 3ft as 4ft lights set are easier to get.
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that's what i am thinking too about the lights...
got other pros to push me towards 4ft?
seriously... why the bigger the merrier? wouldn't it cause more problems in the end?----------------
On 12/5/2002 10:41:22 AM
The bigger, the merrier.
If you buy a 3ft, you will probably think that it is too small after you set it up...
BC
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i have been looking at NA's 3ft & 4ft... the 3ft seems just about right (maybe alittle too small when placed in a living room) while the 4ft is kinda imposing... especially for someone who has never even played with a 2ft tank...
the bigger the merrier cuz
1. your tank will likely be more stable with less fluctuations occur due to changes...
2. You can have more fishes, and also stock bigger type fishes
3. More room to play with aquascaping your tank.
Only downside is it cost more... and takes more time to maintain... but money is no issue right [
Allen
Resistance is futile, you will be administrated!
At least 4ft long and 2ft high. If space is a problem, 1.5ft wide else, 2ft wide.
Bigger tanks have less problems, the larger water volume is more forgiving of mistakes.
Maintainance-wise, it's only a little more then a 3ft. It also depends on your choice of plants.
Vincent - AQ is for everyone, but not for 'u' and 'mi'.
Why use punctuation? See what a difference it makes:A woman, without her man, is nothing.
A woman: without her, man is nothing.
lighting is an issue with 3' tank. available from lfs but at a price. 4' on the other hand is mass market item, a lot cheaper and easily available.
thomas liew
you hit the sweet spot my fren... 4ft it is then...----------------
On 12/5/2002 1:23:32 PM
lighting is an issue with 3' tank. available from lfs but at a price. 4' on the other hand is mass market item, a lot cheaper and easily available.
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i just hope i don't regret this...
i'm reaaally eyeing NA type tanks but does not like the top design where the lights are exposed... prefer it to have a taller frame to keep the lights out of sight... already trying very hard to convince Chan to customised the top for me but he just wouldn't budge... any suggestions?
Try Mr hunter... his weblink (in the Buy and Sell section, entitled with the dimensions of an 8 foot tank) of the full chenggai cabinet has a nice customised covered top concealing IOS piping and lights. But, I'm suspecting it may come at a cost as well.
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Clarence Hoe
yeah, saw that post...----------------
On 12/5/2002 2:52:02 PM
Try Mr hunter... his weblink (in the Buy and Sell section, entitled with the dimensions of an 8 foot tank) of the full chenggai cabinet has a nice customised covered top concealing IOS piping and lights. But, I'm suspecting it may come at a cost as well.
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but dunno what is IOS and i am not looking for covered top leh... not suitable for planted tank yeah?
I juz got myself a 4X2X2 as that is the biggest I can fit in my hall. In any aquarium books, they will always recommend that when choosing tank size, the biggest tank that your space and budget can spare.
I agree with Jacian that 2ft width and height is most suitable for planted tanks as it gives much room for plants to grow tall and the depth to plant varieties of plants.
IOS - Internal Overhead Sump. Not appropriate for planted tank so suggest you forego this part.
Top covered tanks are not a good idea as it will retain heat and temp will soar rather high. Also the lighting will be much harder to configure.
Hi,----------------
On 12/5/2002 11:18:10 AM
....the 4ft is kinda imposing... especially for someone who has never even played with a 2ft tank...
----------------
I was in the same situation earlier this year!
Started by thinking about a 1 or 2 feet tank cos this is my first attempt at planted (or any) tank. But at the end, settled for a 5 feet instead. Don't worry about never even trying a 2 ft setup before leaping to a bigger size. It's more fun with a bigger tank cost it's almost the same amount of effort for maintenance (not setup) and the problems seem more minute in a 5 feet than a 2 feet (e.g. 1 out of 50 tetra died vs. 1 out of 6 tetra died).
Enjoy!!
I have dwarf cichlids in my tanks! Do you?
are you looking into a covered or open top tank?----------------
i'm reaaally eyeing NA type tanks but does not like the top design where the lights are exposed... prefer it to have a taller frame to keep the lights out of sight... already trying very hard to convince Chan to customised the top for me but he just wouldn't budge... any suggestions?
----------------
can try getting a carpenter to build you a hood. but you will need some form of cooling such as fans.
thomas liew
i'm looking for a open top tank but with a frame that sits on top of the tank... the lights will sit on top of the frame itself... something like NA's tanks except that i prefer the frame to be taller, so that it can block the lighting equipment from view...----------------
On 12/5/2002 4:21:51 PM
are you looking into a covered or open top tank?----------------
i'm reaaally eyeing NA type tanks but does not like the top design where the lights are exposed... prefer it to have a taller frame to keep the lights out of sight... already trying very hard to convince Chan to customised the top for me but he just wouldn't budge... any suggestions?
----------------
can try getting a carpenter to build you a hood. but you will need some form of cooling such as fans.
----------------
Resistance is futile, you will be administrated!
Get a carpenter to make one for you.
Sherwin, I thot IOS = Internal Overflow Sump. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Vincent - AQ is for everyone, but not for 'u' and 'mi'.
Why use punctuation? See what a difference it makes:A woman, without her man, is nothing.
A woman: without her, man is nothing.
do you like the looks of wrought iron, polished aluminium or any metal?
get the dimensions and get an iron workshop to build you the frame.
you can also consider mh pendant lamp.
thomas liew
i definitely prefer wood, rich dark wood...----------------
On 12/5/2002 4:35:04 PM
do you like the looks of wrought iron, polished aluminium or any metal?
get the dimensions and get an iron workshop to build you the frame.
you can also consider mh pendant lamp.
----------------
the MH lamp is not my preference too... unsightly wires dangling from the top...
Hey, if $$ is no concern, don't waste your time.. go directly to a biggest tank your place can accomodate.. I started a 4ft this Sept. Never did one before. First Attempt with planted tanks. I thought it all turn out well. I am now thinking about 6ft. Frankly if I can turn back the clock, I will buy a 6ft instead of a 4ft. Now the only space left at home can accomodate 5ft. The currently area holding the 6ft can in fact hold a 7ft tank (don't know the flooring can take the wgt though.. anyway this is call 'bang balls'. So go for it, my friend. You will have no regrets.
BYW, anyone wants to help me move my 4ft to another place in my flat so that I can buy another 6ft?
hi Irn-Bru, dun waste time lah! go for 4ft straight away. i bet u find 3ft too small very soon n regret heee...... just to share with u, i started with 2ft. happy w result, do another 4ft, then no shiok scrap the 2ft get another 4ft. and recently set up another 5ft(warning: 5ft light diff to get n expensive sia) so i now have 2x4ft n one 5ft. conclusion is if u r really keen in planting, go for bigger one, once n for all. or if u keep upgrading, u spend more. i guess many out there been thru the same, rite?heeeee....
Koh
since you like wood, i like wood too, maybe you would like to consider this. get a carpenter to build you a wall cabinet above the tank, something like upper tier kitchen cabinet. you can install your lights at the base of the cabinet while you can keep fertilizers, chemical and etc in the cabinet. major drawback, you cannot shift the tank location anymore. but you'll get the advantage of keeping 'dangerous stuff' out of reach of children.
thomas liew
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