Help! New Glass Tanks

[Rainmaker]

Hi guys,

My LFS ordered in 8 individual custom-made tanks for my Bettas (as in, I designed them, not those silly "purpose built Betta tanks"). They arrived today and I'm over the moon with them, but after adding the fish I noticed something rather gut-wrenching. For whatever reason, the glass on the tanks goes as reflective as a mirror on all four sides AND the floor when there's water in them...

The fish are flaring, biting the glass and even swimming upside down to face so many 'enemies' (all sides). They're on a black tiled base, with normal fluorescent room lighting (for now). By chance, I noticed a small patch where I'd spilt a bit of water, and it'd leaked under the tank between the glass and tiles... This wet patch under the base was see-through and not reflective, whereas the rest of the surfaces are like mirrors. With that in mind, I placed paper underneath the tanks and that's reduced (not eliminated) the problem for those fish.

I could have posted this in another sub-forum, but who else understands (and may have experience this) except Betta folk? It's a very species specific issue lol Has anyone experienced this, and got any suggestions? I'm thinking if I can buy a pack of matt brown coloured card, I can cover up the bases and three sides (leaving one viewing pane) and hopefully with decent top lighting this should basically eliminate the problem? Or has the guy making the tanks used a bad type of glass or something?

Any ideas, before my fish have blunt teeth and chronic exhaustion? How do you make tank glass non-reflective? LOL
Cheers.

 

[Forestpisces]

Good grief that is a situation.

I think what you are planning to do with the brown card and one viewing side will be the best option as i have no idea how else to prevent them flaring at the glass.

 

[loraxchick]

put a backing on your tank and plant it up along the sides to break the line of sight. ime males will only flare at their reflection for so long. after a time (could be days) they give up on the "other" guy. but some backing and plants will help a LOT!
also, you just got them and they need time to meet their neightbors i had boys in a divided tank that flared at each other a lot for a week or so, then just kinda gave that game up with only occasional flares...but it was very heavily planted. again, the line of sight was broken up.
best of luck...hopefully theyll settle down in a few days.
cheers

 

[Rainmaker]

put a backing on your tank and plant it up along the sides to break the line of sight. ime males will only flare at their reflection for so long. after a time (could be days) they give up on the "other" guy. but some backing and plants will help a LOT!
also, you just got them and they need time to meet their neightbors i had boys in a divided tank that flared at each other a lot for a week or so, then just kinda gave that game up with only occasional flares...but it was very heavily planted. again, the line of sight was broken up.
best of luck...hopefully theyll settle down in a few days.
cheers

Thanks for the replies guys They've never been able to "meet the neighbours" as I've always had card dividers between tanks. Thanks to this "five sided mirror" effect though they're going slightly crazy trying to flare five different ways at once lol I'll try different colours of card stuck to the outsides and bases, and hopefully with strong top lighting it should eliminate the problem...

I hope...

 

[pika06]

Hmmm... Is it possible for you to post pictures of your new tank? I'm curious as to what it looks like

 

[Rainmaker]

Hmmm... Is it possible for you to post pictures of your new tank? I'm curious as to what it looks like

They're just a typical rectangular type tank, just smaller than ones you can buy over here with glass lids that fit inside the top of the tanks, resting on plastic ledges. I'll grab some pics tomorrow.

 

[lilacamy931]

oh man sorry to hear that, not sure what kind of glass they used but for your guys that does not sound great. I agree with the others go with backing card, it is a shame you have to but it probably is the only option unless you let the store know? Plants as loraxchick said can help break up the line of sight. All the best with it

 

[Honeythorn]

Silk or real plants are really the best bet, and substrate of course. Having a glass base is only going to cause you trouble with relflection as you now know. If you don't want sand or gravel, the coloured glass pebbles can be used. Many people go for those for ease of cleaning, and they will stop the reflection on the bottom.

You could even try making java moss mats to go on the base that can be simply lifted out and rinsed under the tap and replaced . The moss will look good, use up some Nitrates and be easy to clean. Just get some clear plastic mesh and tie the moss to it with clear nylon thread. Then pop them in and leave to grow ( I assume you do have lights for these tanks? If not you would need some to grow the moss )

 

[loraxchick]

moss mats are a KILLER idea Honeythorn. would be a great natural carpet and im all about having real plants! thanks for the idea!

 

[Honeythorn]

No problem .

I wish I could set up my 3 gal shrimp tank to make my own!

And I just had a thought. With enough light (arcadia clip on? ) one could make not only a moss mat for the base , but walls for the two sides and the back of the tank as well to give the feeling of an enclosed moss cave!

The wall mats could simply be attatched with either small suction cups, or hung over the rim with tiny hooks made of that aquarium safe plant weight ( you can cut it really thin so it's less noticeable )

All 4 mats (3 sides and the bottom ) can simply be lifted out and washed if they get a bit full of debris, or you could have shrimp to pick through and be a cleanup crew ( and be tankmates ) or you can whoosh the syphon just over the surfaces to sweep out any debris so it can be sucked away.

Here, I got all excited and did a mildly bad exploded view idea in MS Paint

Just imagine the gaps all gone and the whole thing set in a tank like one massive moss cave.

I reckon it would work pretty well for helping with flaring, and look good as well, espescially with white or pale bettas, they' really show up against the green for nice photos .

And you could just cut sections out of the mesh beforehand for the filter and heater to fit in.

Either way, moss mat or moss cave I think both could look good and work fine.

 

[lilacamy931]

that is a great idea Honeythorn, it has me thinking about replacing the substrate in my tanks..hmmmm. Love the piccy to go as a visual, you are chuck full of ideas!

 

[Honeythorn]

Haha thanks. I've got that sort of head on today I think. I reckon it would work well for tanks of 15 gals or less. Not so sure about bigger tanks, though I've no doubt the ambitious with enough light and maybe co2 would have a whale of a time trying to make it work in a large tank. That would look amazing

 

[loraxchick]

that is an absolutely fabulous idea!

 

[Rainmaker]

Great idea! I already put java moss down on the floors, and some judicious lighting and a couple of pieces of paper have sorted the rest. Touch wood, so far nobody's flaring any more! Once they're in their shelving unit (a mahogany effect bookcase) with direct top lighting I don't think it'll be an issue anyway. With such pervasive lighting, the "one way mirror" effect shouldn't physically be possible. We'll see...

 

[loraxchick]

glad for you its sorted. and again Honeythorn, thanks for that GREAT idea!