Laith

I have just been asked to install a planted aquarium as a room divider (viewable from both sides). Having never done such a tank, I need some advice on the aquascaping and plant selection.

Here are the tank specs:

- 100cm x 40cm x 50cm (40" x 16" x 20") - 200 liters (53g)
- Open top with Arcadia T5 lighting: 4x39w
- Fluorite substrate (if the shipping cost from the UK isn't too outrageous! otherwise plain gravel)
- Pressurized CO2 with controller and AM 1000 reactor
- Eheim 2216 (or 2206 with Hydor in-line heater: cheaper)
- Automatic dosing for ferts
- Moderate fish load

Another option for the tank would be 100cm x 50cm x 50cm (40" x 20" x 20") - 250 liters (66g). Would the extra width make any difference?

The tank will get maintenance once a week but I'd like to limit the amount of time each visit takes so less pruning is better than more!

Ok everyone, let's see the design skills on this forum... this really needs to be one of those "WOW" tanks!

Fish suggestions are also welcome.

Many thanks in advance!

Praxx42

Well, you're going to be around 2.75-3.25WPG. Since you want to go low-pruning, seems like ferns and the like might work best.

I posted an article on autoDoing in the DIY section which might help.

I suggest Rummynose tetras because they school constantly and are very eye-catching (but I suggest rummies to everyone, so...)

I've set up a room divider 55G before. Here's a pic:

This was supposed to be viewable on both sides. I made some changes before tearing this one down, I removed the crypts from the front of the tank and tied 45+ baby java ferns to the driftwood on the right.

That's about all I have this early in the morning.

Laith

See all the aquascapers run like crazy at the thought of a tank that needs to be viewed from two sides...

Praxx, thanks and I did see your article on auto-dosing.

Anyone........?

Snowman

Well it looks as if I spent sometime putting a reply together just to loose it while doing spell check...I'll see if I can do it again

I normally wouldn't post a reply to your question but want to try and spark a response for you from what I have planned. Definitely not trying to hi-jack your post so I'll delete this if you want!

I have a custom 187 on order 72x24x25 I had a fake wall put in it on one end that takes up 4.5" of the tank but creates an end overflow allowing me to have three bulk heads in the bottom of the tank and one in the wall it's self at 6" off the bottom of the tank. Two of the bulk heads on the bottom are drains to closed loop canister filter and inline equipment. I used two returns sized so that each can take full flow if needed in the event of one being plugged. The third bulk head is the return and it comes through the bottom of the tank then the return overflow wall it's self 6" off the bottom of the tank. I have been thinking that making a rock wall island that the return runs inside of might be good. This would allow me to branch the return in a few places on both sides of the wall and have substrate inside of the island for planting items normally only used on low areas... kind of a terraced effect. As far as plants go I'm at a loss because I'm just in the planning stages of this type of tank and my experience is not one to give advice. I guess one thing I like the idea of is maybe using some type of Val that doesn't get to tall or a thick blade grass planted think enough so that you can still see through it...My entire plan may be a poor one I'm just trying to help get some input. One thing I would say is go for the wider tank IMO wider would always be better on a room divider tank, I'm sure you want to consider the length too but being able to make a divided tank look right would need width...just my 2 little cents.

Best of luck! Post the results.

Jarrell

jsenske

I've done a few. I don't really have much advice other than visualize the composition at length before executing. Think about all the angles of view and be creative. I think an island-type layout can be an easy reference point- something with equal dimensionality from both/all sides. Have a look at my website www.aquariumdesigngroup.com <portfolio<aquariums<live plant tanks. You'll know the room dividers when you see them. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Laith

Thanks for the inputs.

Jeff, I like the "island" idea. Question: In your pictures you never see any hardware. Are you removing it for the pics?

Hardware I'll be having in the tank: Eheim Installation kits 1 & 2 (the grey ones), the pH probe and the temp sensor. The auto fert dosing tubes will go into the Eheim output hose.

How best to "hide" this hardware? Maybe not use a spray bar as this is the biggest and most visible item?

Laith

Another question: I really want to do an open top tank. Is this a bad idea?

The tank will be in a spa/physiotherapist/fitness center. Is there too much risk of someone dumping something into the tank?

Jeff, I notice you don't have any pics of open top aquariums in your pics. Is it because of this? or to avoid the evaporation issue?