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Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 20-09-11)
- Thread starter andyh
- Start date
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (updated 19/10/10)
So one of the challenges i have found when taking a photo of the tank with a metal halide dangled above it, is light spill.
As the light is so bright it tends to cause massive reflections off objects all around the tank, me, the radiator, my armchair etc. So after seeing on a few sites were they built temporary surrounds for there tanks when taking photos, and a conversation with Tonser. I purchased some mounting card and started cutting and sticking. It did feel a bit like a Blue Peter Project.
I basically made this:
I have even designed it in such a way as that it folds up! Glad i finally used my engineering degree for something useful.
The difference is phenominal, more light gets reflected into the tank and from a photo persepctive makes things much easier (no reflections). The beauty being i can put it up in about 30 seconds!
When i get chance over the weekend i will try and capture a few nice pics
(not talking Farmer or Evans standards but something i will be happy with 
)
Here is one pic from tonight (with the surround) showing the new plants. As I discussed earlier in the thread i have pulled out the hairgrass carpet as it wasn't working for me.
Its now been replaced with:
Echinodorus Tenellus by Anubias. (grass type plant, in between rocks to the front) Purchased in gel pot form, have to say was very surprised with the qty of plant in these pots. I just washed the gel off under the tap and planted stems individually with tweezers. Should stay compact with the level of light.
Hydrocotyle Verticillata by Tropica (one of my fav plants) This is planted on the far right, this is growing well already! Should look cool once it fills in a bit
Hemianthus Callitichoides "Cuba" (HC) by Tropica. Another favourite of mine, planted front center, growing really well. Just wanted a nice carpet between the Staurogyne and the Tenellus.
Thanks for looking
Andyh
So one of the challenges i have found when taking a photo of the tank with a metal halide dangled above it, is light spill.
As the light is so bright it tends to cause massive reflections off objects all around the tank, me, the radiator, my armchair etc. So after seeing on a few sites were they built temporary surrounds for there tanks when taking photos, and a conversation with Tonser. I purchased some mounting card and started cutting and sticking. It did feel a bit like a Blue Peter Project.
I basically made this:
I have even designed it in such a way as that it folds up! Glad i finally used my engineering degree for something useful.
The difference is phenominal, more light gets reflected into the tank and from a photo persepctive makes things much easier (no reflections). The beauty being i can put it up in about 30 seconds!
When i get chance over the weekend i will try and capture a few nice pics
(not talking Farmer or Evans standards but something i will be happy with )Here is one pic from tonight (with the surround) showing the new plants. As I discussed earlier in the thread i have pulled out the hairgrass carpet as it wasn't working for me.
Its now been replaced with:
Echinodorus Tenellus by Anubias. (grass type plant, in between rocks to the front) Purchased in gel pot form, have to say was very surprised with the qty of plant in these pots. I just washed the gel off under the tap and planted stems individually with tweezers. Should stay compact with the level of light.
Hydrocotyle Verticillata by Tropica (one of my fav plants) This is planted on the far right, this is growing well already! Should look cool once it fills in a bit
Hemianthus Callitichoides "Cuba" (HC) by Tropica. Another favourite of mine, planted front center, growing really well. Just wanted a nice carpet between the Staurogyne and the Tenellus.
Thanks for looking
Andyh
bogwood
Member
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
You have been busy.
Why not keep as a permanent feature, and hide that "ugly light".
Some good plant growth starting to appear.
You have been busy.
Why not keep as a permanent feature, and hide that "ugly light".
Some good plant growth starting to appear.
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Ahhhh Bogwood! You sarcasm is on form as normal!
If you are well behaved when you come over on Friday i will let you see the Solar 1
bogwood said:You have been busy.
Why not keep as a permanent feature, and hide that "ugly light".
Some good plant growth starting to appear.
Ahhhh Bogwood! You sarcasm is on form as normal!
If you are well behaved when you come over on Friday i will let you see the Solar 1
Mark Evans
Expert
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
the vids not their brother!
the vids not their brother!
John Starkey
Member
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Looks very cool Andy,i liked the video on you tube,i have lots of coloured mount board i will have to try that myself with the tank shots,keep up the good work mate.
Looks very cool Andy,i liked the video on you tube,i have lots of coloured mount board i will have to try that myself with the tank shots,keep up the good work mate.
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Thanks Mark
The Video is working now people, i got the code wrong
John, Cheers glad you like the video, the mounting board was easy to work with and its makes such a difference for the photos
Mark Evans said:
Thanks Mark
The Video is working now people, i got the code wrong
john starkey said:
John, Cheers glad you like the video, the mounting board was easy to work with and its makes such a difference for the photos
viktorlantos
Aquascaper
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
great work on the shaders! the photos are already better with it. 
great work on the shaders! the photos are already better with it.
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Tank is looking awesome Andy, like the DIY for the photography great work
Tank is looking awesome Andy, like the DIY for the photography great work
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Thanks Viktor, they i am impressed as it was cheap to do and the results are excellentviktorlantos said:great work on the shaders! the photos are already better with it.
Cheers Paulo, cant wait for it to fill in a little more.LondonDragon said:Tank is looking awesome Andy, like the DIY for the photography great work
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 19/10/10)
Update
Things starting to take shape now, the new plants are all doing well apart from the HC. The fish decided they didn't like and pretty much dug it up so thats been moved out, and replaced with moss, Staurogyne and Tenellus.
The E.Tenellus took ages to get going but its now throwing out runners all over the place.
The Staurogyne has really grow back well after the harsh pruning, and is forming a nice carpet, my only bug bear is the older leaves have a slight dusting of algae.
I am regularly pruning the Rotala as i have now realised i didn't purchase enough to start with and i have been replanting the cuttings to get a nice dense look.
My only concern is that Mark Evans will be popping in over the weekend and it only gives me 6 days to make it look good!
Thanks for looking
Andyh
Update
Things starting to take shape now, the new plants are all doing well apart from the HC. The fish decided they didn't like and pretty much dug it up so thats been moved out, and replaced with moss, Staurogyne and Tenellus.
The E.Tenellus took ages to get going but its now throwing out runners all over the place.
The Staurogyne has really grow back well after the harsh pruning, and is forming a nice carpet, my only bug bear is the older leaves have a slight dusting of algae.
I am regularly pruning the Rotala as i have now realised i didn't purchase enough to start with and i have been replanting the cuttings to get a nice dense look.
My only concern is that Mark Evans will be popping in over the weekend and it only gives me 6 days to make it look good!
Thanks for looking
Andyh
Krishs Bettas
Member
- Joined
- 10 May 2009
- Messages
- 422
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
Looks really nice and the java fern looks really lush and mature.
Looks really nice and the java fern looks really lush and mature.
Mark Evans
Expert
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
is it not in 2 weeks Andy?
I can see youve got slower growth to what you might me used to. much more managble this way
is it not in 2 weeks Andy?
I can see youve got slower growth to what you might me used to. much more managble this way
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
Looking great Andy, I like the plating up front, will look great when it fills in
Looking great Andy, I like the plating up front, will look great when it fills in
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
Late night updates, combined with a JD and coke lead to stupidty! Yes Mark you are right its the 20th, Sorry! having a moment of stupidty! At least that gives me a little longer to get the tank up to standard.
The slower growth rates are killing me, i am used to higher energy setups. The only thing is its allowing me to time to focus a little more on the scaping and layout.
Cheers Krish, the interesting thing about the java fern is that i purchased two tropica pots of narrow and the leaves on this now are definitly not Narrow!Krish's Bettas said:
Mark Evans said:is it not in 2 weeks Andy?
I can see youve got slower growth to what you might me used to. much more managble this way
Late night updates, combined with a JD and coke lead to stupidty! Yes Mark you are right its the 20th, Sorry! having a moment of stupidty! At least that gives me a little longer to get the tank up to standard.The slower growth rates are killing me, i am used to higher energy setups. The only thing is its allowing me to time to focus a little more on the scaping and layout.
Yeah it should look cool, just hope i can keep the Tenellus short enoughLondonDragon said:Looking great Andy, I like the planting up front, will look great when it fills in
Mark Evans
Expert
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
just like me, your body and mind will suffer 'withdrawals' from the high growth rate attack.
just like a junky, you'll recover, cold turkey style but it will pass
andyh said:
just like me, your body and mind will suffer 'withdrawals' from the high growth rate attack.
just like a junky, you'll recover, cold turkey style
but it will pass
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
What you guys need is two tanks, one very high tech and fast growing and the other what you have now, that way you have the best of both worlds get those 60cm tanks running!
What you guys need is two tanks, one very high tech and fast growing and the other what you have now, that way you have the best of both worlds
get those 60cm tanks running!
Mark Evans
Expert
Re: Andyh's 190l Lounge tank (update 7/11/10)
but in order to have 2 tanks (for me at least) i first need a new wife, which will let me have 2 tanks.
LondonDragon said:
but in order to have 2 tanks (for me at least) i first need a new wife, which will let me have 2 tanks.
