AverageWhiteBloke
Member
As the title suggests I'm right at the very start of my first journal, in fact, its so early that I don't even have a plan yet other than some rough ideas. I'll try and put some flesh on the bones of the situation. Been keeping planted tanks for about 25 years with varying levels of success. Read any gods amount of other poeples jounals and admired many videos and photographs of other peoples works of art and thought one day. So, that days here
I was intending to do this properly and get all my stuff together with a plan but unfortunately/fortunately my hand has been forced a bit and I need to get a wiggle on so what better place to start than right at the beginning, the shopping phase. Some furniture has been ordered where my old tank sits so I need to strip it down. Its been there for probably 12/13 years so I've had my moneys worth and it still works and looks fine. To be fair up to this point its took a back seat to a growing family and the costs associated so everything was done on a budget but now its time for a bit of me time
The intention is to get a new tank,cabinet,lighting and substrate but to use the filter,co2 system,hardscape and plants from the old tank. I will however be getting some more varieties of plants and hardscape. The tank still has some fish in so If I can I'm going to run the two systems parallel until things are settled then shut the old one down.
So, let's go shopping Which isn't as easy as I thought. I've always been a fan of the TMC 600 in white and thought I"d get one one day. But that's where the first problem began, they are only available in 600x450x300 in clear silicone. I tried scaling that up using some card today and I just can't get my head round the 300mm height. Firstly I'm not much of an Aquascaper. When I read posts on layout, focus,tension etc Ill have to be honest, I don't know what anyone's talking about. I either like what I see (for some reason) or I don't. I can see the practical benefits of a lower tank but it just doesn't do it for me, plus, me not being a scaper I prefer to jungle up a bit. The Dutch stuff has me Salivating. I do intend to get some hardscape feature going to draw the eye but mainly going for dense planting. I'm also considering some tall plants so I fear the lack of height won't show them off to their fullest.
That being said there does seem to be retailers with the 600x450x450 in clear silicone but trying to get one is like herding cats. they either don't deliver or are out of stock. Another big points is my glassware. I have two sets of lilly pipes, one set soaking in bleach while the other is in the tank. Both are far too big for a 300mm tank unless I have the intake elevated really high on the sucker.
That leaves me with either black silicone or ada 90 H. With this being a treat to my self I wouldn't like to get black silicone and after a while wish I'd held out for a clear as they do exist....somewhere. I am quite prepared to pay the extra for an ADA at this point but can't even seem to find a supplier for them! Even greem machine which is where I used to browse the ADA stuff in hope one day doesn't appear to have any! I don't know, perhaps the black silicone will frame the picture if you like, certainly seems like easiest option right now.
First things first then, first hurdle, anyone know where I could source the ADA or clear silicone 600x450x450 or, any suggestions for a set up I may have over looked. Has to be in white gloss finish though. You know how it is when you have to balance practicality with her indoors deco to keep the deal sweet
I have realised the typo in the title but can't be bothered to boot the laptop to change it
Tapatalk On Blackberry PlayBook
I was intending to do this properly and get all my stuff together with a plan but unfortunately/fortunately my hand has been forced a bit and I need to get a wiggle on so what better place to start than right at the beginning, the shopping phase. Some furniture has been ordered where my old tank sits so I need to strip it down. Its been there for probably 12/13 years so I've had my moneys worth and it still works and looks fine. To be fair up to this point its took a back seat to a growing family and the costs associated so everything was done on a budget but now its time for a bit of me time
The intention is to get a new tank,cabinet,lighting and substrate but to use the filter,co2 system,hardscape and plants from the old tank. I will however be getting some more varieties of plants and hardscape. The tank still has some fish in so If I can I'm going to run the two systems parallel until things are settled then shut the old one down.
So, let's go shopping Which isn't as easy as I thought. I've always been a fan of the TMC 600 in white and thought I"d get one one day. But that's where the first problem began, they are only available in 600x450x300 in clear silicone. I tried scaling that up using some card today and I just can't get my head round the 300mm height. Firstly I'm not much of an Aquascaper. When I read posts on layout, focus,tension etc Ill have to be honest, I don't know what anyone's talking about. I either like what I see (for some reason) or I don't. I can see the practical benefits of a lower tank but it just doesn't do it for me, plus, me not being a scaper I prefer to jungle up a bit. The Dutch stuff has me Salivating. I do intend to get some hardscape feature going to draw the eye but mainly going for dense planting. I'm also considering some tall plants so I fear the lack of height won't show them off to their fullest.
That being said there does seem to be retailers with the 600x450x450 in clear silicone but trying to get one is like herding cats. they either don't deliver or are out of stock. Another big points is my glassware. I have two sets of lilly pipes, one set soaking in bleach while the other is in the tank. Both are far too big for a 300mm tank unless I have the intake elevated really high on the sucker.
That leaves me with either black silicone or ada 90 H. With this being a treat to my self I wouldn't like to get black silicone and after a while wish I'd held out for a clear as they do exist....somewhere. I am quite prepared to pay the extra for an ADA at this point but can't even seem to find a supplier for them! Even greem machine which is where I used to browse the ADA stuff in hope one day doesn't appear to have any! I don't know, perhaps the black silicone will frame the picture if you like, certainly seems like easiest option right now.
First things first then, first hurdle, anyone know where I could source the ADA or clear silicone 600x450x450 or, any suggestions for a set up I may have over looked. Has to be in white gloss finish though. You know how it is when you have to balance practicality with her indoors deco to keep the deal sweet
I have realised the typo in the title but can't be bothered to boot the laptop to change it
Tapatalk On Blackberry PlayBook
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