70ltr Planted Aquaria

[BigC]

Everything seems to be going fine at the moment, except for Vallis (background left) maybe replace with Amazon Sword.

 

[Annastasia]

Oh, wow, that's a Gorgeous tank!!

Great job!

 

[daza]

looks great! Do you have any more pics? I also have a 70 litre which I am aiming to make planted.

 

[BigC]

Here, another one, taken the day after it was originally planted.

 

[daza]

that must be a Juwel Rekord 70 then? Have you upgraded the lighting to achieve that?

 

[BigC]

Yeah your spot on daza.The tank was the cheapest part of the whole picture. In answer to your specific question, Yes I've upgraded the lighting. I still have only one tube it's an Interpet Daylight Plus. I also know this is way under the required wattage per gallon but I'm still trying to work out how to accomodate more tubes.
I'm trying to find out from Arcadia if their new I Bar lighting system will fit the Rekord hood. If not I will have to look towards pendant lighting. Anyone out there got any different suggestions or ideas.

 

[daza]

A few of us with Juwels were discussing the options for upgrading lights a little while ago. Here is the link.

I am thinking about power compact lamps now (Interpet also make these). You get more light for the size of lamp so you can fit more into the hood, but they cost more.

 

[BigC]

Hi daza
I'm in much the same boat as the guy who wants to keep the hood that came with the tank, might try to bolt some 1inch tube holders to the front slope forward a little from the access panel with the flat head of the bolt on the outside of the hood, if these were black in colour then I reckon this would be a tidy job. with a new starter unit and reflector and use another Interpet Daylight Plus tube. The only problem I can forsee is small feeding area. But I would be more happier with an extra tube in there.

 

[daza]

good luck with that mate. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Salt Freak]

nice are you using black water extract.

 

[BigC]

Blackwater Extract is included when I do my weekly water change. I change two buckets which is around 4 Gall. and add 2 spoonfuls of Blackwater Extract.

 

[cometcattle]

Amazing tank!

 

[NikkiY]

Nice setup If you have time, please post more.

Nikki

 

[jimbooo]

hi BigC,

take the plunge and get another tube in there.

it was me who started the original thread (link above) if you clich the "check out my fishies" link in my sig you'll see the tank 3 weeks after upgrading.

there is pics of both the rekord 60 and rio 180. both have been upgraded. (details in "my profile"

PM me if you need any advice on the "bodge job" and yes i am left with a 1 inch wide feeding slot but with the purchase of tongs etc, you dont need to get your hand in.

well worth the effort if you ask me.

PS: Vallis needs a lot of light to thrive, i remove at least 1 foot from every leaf weekly in my 40G. CO2 makes a big difference as well.

 

[BigC]

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply...
I'm about to do a bit of a walkthrough with text and pictures on the lighting upgrade. I've got all the bits and bobs and I think I can make a good job of this and still retain most of the space of the feeding hatch. I will try to get time to do this over the weekend. Watch this space as they say!!!

P.S. jimbooo, Dig the Boesmanni Rainbow, I bred a lot of those years ago.