Another Beginers Question

[heatwave]

Now i have decided on my Tank & fish i have another silly question ...
Can anyone give me any tips/advice on making a tropical tank looking more like a marine tank?
I mean ... can i use specific white sand? & what is it called?

We recently came from a vacation in Orlando & saw some awsome shaped tanks in what looked like ocean blue water. Can i replicate this?
I know you can get different backgrounds for tanks but im thinking it would look untidy wrapped half way round this ... http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/stainless-steel-acrylic-view-aquarium-1205-0.html

Are there any alternative methods?

 

[PaBucsFan]

I have two tanks and I use white sand as my substrate in both tanks. I am also new to the aquarium hobby but I made the switch to sand shortly after starting both of my tanks. Here is the link: http/www.petco.com/product/7534/Nature-s-Ocean-Marine-White-Sand.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

It works pretty well. It ensures all the food is eaten and can be difficult to clean as you tend to suck sand up. If you choose to go with sand I would suggest getting an extra bag to have to replace sand as needed.

 

[heatwave]

Thanks for that, is this sand ok in tropical tanks too then?
& do you have any ideas as to how to get the natural oceanblue look without using background paper?

 

[PaBucsFan]

Both of my tanks are freshwater tropical so yes the sand is fine for non-marine tank use. I am unsure of the ocean blue look unless it is as simple as using blue aquarium background.

 

[Assaye]

If you get sand, make sure to get inert sand and not coral sand. Coral sand will change your water chemistry. Also be aware than bright white sand may spook and unsettle some fish. If you want white sand, find fish that will be OK in your tank and come from a brightly lit, sandy environment.

That tank is going to require hefty aeration as it is very tall with a tiny surface area at the top. What fish do you want for it?

 

[heatwave]

Thanks again ....
The varieties of fish i have selected for this tank are ...


a\Angel fish
Gourmais (Anabantids)
Rasboras
czech rams

As reguards to the "Ocean blue" look without using background paper, i have found a simular tank & wondered if someone can tell me what has been added to achieve this blue look ...

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/gloss-black-column-cylinder-view-aquarium-1203-0.html

 

[Assaye]

Thanks again ....
The varieties of fish i have selected for this tank are ...


a\Angel fish
Gourmais (Anabantids)
Rasboras
czech rams

As reguards to the "Ocean blue" look without using background paper, i have found a simular tank & wondered if someone can tell me what has been added to achieve this blue look ...

http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/gloss-black-column-cylinder-view-aquarium-1203-0.html

Looks like paint or backing paper tbh. Why not get a semi-circular tank with a flat back.

 

[Curiosity101]

Depending on where it's going perhaps hang a bright blue piece of fabric on the wall? Something light like silk maybe? It's the only thing I can think of short of painting half of the tank blue (if it's round).

If you did go down the spray paint route then I'd suggest measuring it 1/4 of the way round, masking tape top to bottom in a nice thick strip and then spray. Look at it, if not enough is covered then try widening it to being 1/3 of the tank etc etc.

 

[heatwave]

Do blue lights help?
Ive read a topic on here concerning a person with a marine tank with a blue light using it for tropical fish.

 

[Curiosity101]

Depends if you're having plants or not... if you're having plants then you need to take them into account as you can't run marine lighting on a planted tank cause the 'color' of the bulbs isn't right for photosynthesis.