Look What I Found

[ZoddyZod]

a liner would be a good idea.....but unless it's transparent, and I can't think of a material that would give you the impact protection required AND be highly transparent, then you'll obviously lose the viewing angle from above.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Something else to think about is that some fish virtually disappear when viewed from above, my rasbora are kind of like that, but may not be a factor to consider when going with cichlids

 

[tomtomtom1230]

a liner would be a good idea.....but unless it's transparent, and I can't think of a material that would give you the impact protection required AND be highly transparent, then you'll obviously lose the viewing angle from above.

Building on this, if you could get some clear linoleum and a Stanley knife or something you could make your own glass mats?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

What about the stuff they use to go under desk chairs so that they don't ruin the carpet? Not perfectly transparent but certainly impact absorbing (I think they even have little spiky feet on the underside which may help) and the semi-transparent look would keep the colour scheme going?

 

[tmiller]

All interesting ideas, For now I am going to use a bit of the non skid drawer liner just as a coaster for our drinks etc.

The fish that are in there are temporary and will be moved to the larger tank when it is finished cycling so I'm still looking at potential stocking .

There is actually just as much view from the side as from directly above while sitting normally. I do however find myself laying on the floor enjoying the view lol

 

[tmiller]

What're the tall, thin leaved plants on the left called? I see them everywhere but never bought any simply because I've never really researched them. Still new to this planted tank thing

And yeah, anything dense enough (but not solid) will do the trick where impact with the table is concerned, ie: rubber, wicker, felt or a thick cloth etc

I think they are Annubias, low light plants.
I find em kind of annoying at first since mine seemed to melt when I first added em depositing tons of small leafs all over the place.
Once they were done making a mess new runners grew back nice and green and the shedding stooped , thank goodness

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Wow, there was me thinking annubias all were very small, foreground-ish plants I need some taller plants in my tank, I might get rid of one of my dwarf sword plants and replace it with one or two of these.

 

[tmiller]

Wow, there was me thinking annubias all were very small, foreground-ish plants I need some taller plants in my tank, I might get rid of one of my dwarf sword plants and replace it with one or two of these.

I stand corrected as those are actually "Anacharis Narrow Leaf (Egeria najas)" when I went to look em up here is my source

 

[gillicous]

a liner would be a good idea.....but unless it's transparent, and I can't think of a material that would give you the impact protection required AND be highly transparent, then you'll obviously lose the viewing angle from above.

Building on this, if you could get some clear linoleum and a Stanley knife or something you could make your own glass mats?

grease an old thin baking tray,fill with clear silicone sealant then smooth over.
when set cut to sze and you have a translucent noise reducing place mat