Still Don't Get It...

[waterdrop]

Probably missed this in the basic guides (and I'm almost completely ignorant about modern planted tanks...) but..

I just still don't get why I'm seeing the completely uncovered tanks with just glass, water and then a light way up above. Is this an important funtional aspect of the high tech planted tank or a style felt to have visual appeal?

I think once I was told that the light and reflector need a proper distance in order to focus properly on the plants. Is this the sole function?

Thanks, ~~waterdrop~~

 

[DevUK]

I think its mostly aesthetics to be honest. A lot of the more expensive setups go for rimless and braceless tanks, so you're essentially looking at a glass box with nothing to destract the eye from the aquascape. External filters, external heaters and to a degree, the lights are raised out of view (ok, not quite but you get what I mean).

Also, I guess most planted tanks need upgraded lighting, and its easier to buy a luminaire than upgrade exisiting lights which might end up looking a bit bodged.

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh is really about aesthetics. It wont make a difference to the plants per se, where the lights are.

Sam

 

[aaronnorth]

It isn't always possible to put additional lighting in the hodd so luminaires easily sort this problem.

 

[waterdrop]

Thanks guys. Even if it is mostly for looks I guess it still makes sense (given you have the time, money etc.) as what one is doing is sitting there drinking in the beauty of the aquascape and it is really true that those clean glass non-tops, light out of the way, glass tubing all contribute to not distracting from the natural beauty.