NEW 50G Tank. Lighting suggestions? Background ideas? Newbie asking for help.

[Yande]

OK, I (should say we, my wife and I) are new to this passion, having had a 10g for 6 weeks, and knowing nothing at all when I (full responsibility) stocked the tank. Thankfully due to due dilligence, lots of water changes, passion, nothing has died. 1 Betta, 7 Neons and 3 Corydoras, that all seem to get along. OK, we are learning.

I have recently bought a second hand 50g tank, (200litre) that has no lids, or lighting, and at present, have no idea of how I am going to stock it, though there will be plants. Presently sourcing some polycarbonate sheeting, (like coreflute) for lids, but am open to suggestions as to the lighting.

Tank is 200L, (50g) approx 120cm long, 48cm high, 30cm something wide. What would you do for lighting? Australians love LEDS.

As regards to backgrounds, I have no idea. Our 10g has no background. What are you people doing? Hunting for ideas all round.

 

[StevenF]

Polycarbonate sheeting is a good starting point. It will minimize evaporation and help protect the lamp from water. What I did for my 5 gallon was Attach a rigid sheet of aluminum to the polycarbonate withscrews. Then I coated one side of the aluminum with clear plastic tape (for electrical insulation). Then I attached 12VDC strip lighting to the tape covered aluminum. Then I made a rubber gasket and screwed it together. If I make another I would drop the screws and just glue it together with clear silicon rubber or clear epoxy. I spent extra for some high color rendering index 12V strip lights and a ramp timer that also has a dimmer. At full brightness I can get 3000lumens out of it at 30watts. Currently it is running at 50% brightness.