What Would You Do?

[lljdma06]

Hi,

I am now employed and if given permission would like to setup a smallish aquarium in my office space. It would be soothing for my students, the other adjucts that share the space with me, and myself and give the office a more settled look. I have most of the equipment to setup, just need to get the actual tank and a filter. Of course I want to plant it and I will probably have a similar setup to the tanks I currently have. There are other tanks throughout the university, so I will probably get permission as long as it's at my expense and I maintain it.

The tank I would really like is a 15g "long" (24"x12"x12") as I really like the footprint for it and it would be easy to light with light fixtures I currently have. This is a tricky size, kind of the border between what works for WPG and what doesn't. I ran a 15g High, very different dimensions, as a high-tech with 3.86 WPG, EI, and CO2 injection. I, however, really want to avoid this, as I will probably neglect the tank over the weekend and such. I'm allergic to soil substrates so I can't really try the Walstad method. I typed my tank dimensions on to this website ( http/woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/Lighting.htm ) and got the following results

http/woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/CalcLight.p...2&Length=24

With the fixtures I am considering, I would be in the low-moderate range if I used T5s and the same if I used Regular T8s, which is kind of where I want to be. I've got both fixtures. What would you do? The point is to keep things very simple. I would most likely stock with plants and fish that I already have. The tank would be covered and possibly unheated. Living in a warm climate is a plus, as the air temp there is rougly 74 degrees F in the office space.

My plans may be rejected, though, so this may all go to pot. I meet with the head of the division on Monday and will show him some pictures of my other tanks, so he can see that the planted tank is not your typical aquarium, but a very elegant decoration option that is clean and contained. Who knows? He may like it.

Wish me luck. I still, however, may set it up at home, if I can't do it at work. What's another 2 buckets a week?

llj

 

[Miss Wiggle]

congrats on the job, what's it doing?

i'm always too scared to suggest to any emplyers about setting up a tank there, might see what this new place is like and see if they'll let me.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Congrats on the job! What will you be doing?
Tanks are great teaching tools. I love seeing them in schools. They are good for stress too. That is much needed in the school systems too... especially at university levels.

 

[zig]

Hi llj congrats on the job!

I have the same tank with the same dimensions so may be able to help you out a little. I like the tank because of its dimensions, I usually do Iwagumi type setups in this tank, I think the shape suits them well, but Im sure there is a lot more you can do with this tank as well.

Its hard to know what to do here, personally I would set it up with Aquasoil because then as a low light setup you would probably never have to fertilise it or as a higher light setup it could take a lot of neglect as well, but thats probably not an option for you.

I usually light my own tank with 2x24W T5 tubes this for me is about the right amount of light as a high light setup, plants can stay very compact with this amount of light.

I have also previously lit this tank with 2x15W T8 tubes and even at this level you need CO2, I got hair algae until I added the CO2, so its a hard call, I imagine the best option is probably 1x24W T5 and this way you could probably get away without CO2, but I haven't tried this, just a guess on my behalf.

I have also lit this tank with just a 15W T8 tube this worked as well but stuff hardly grew at all, but it did work.

I would probably try a single 24W T5 tube without CO2 and see how it works out.

Good luck with the job and plans for the tank.......DONT FORGET THE PICS!!!!!!

 

[lljdma06]

Great info Zig, and nice to see you again. What about a 2x 14W T5 fixture, giving me 28W? I've got a spare one of those lying around. I won't forget pics, if it goes up. If they seriously balk about it, I'll possibly move the 2.5g there and setup the 15g in my room to replace it. This is all just hypothetical right now.

llj

PS: Miss Wiggle and ICEEGIRL, I have job as an adjunct professor of voice and Vocal Pedagogy. Doesn't pay much, but it's a start. At least I'm employed.

Hi llj congrats on the job!

I have the same tank with the same dimensions so may be able to help you out a little. I like the tank because of its dimensions, I usually do Iwagumi type setups in this tank, I think the shape suits them well, but Im sure there is a lot more you can do with this tank as well.

Its hard to know what to do here, personally I would set it up with Aquasoil because then as a low light setup you would probably never have to fertilise it or as a higher light setup it could take a lot of neglect as well, but thats probably not an option for you.

I usually light my own tank with 2x24W T5 tubes this for me is about the right amount of light as a high light setup, plants can stay very compact with this amount of light.

I have also previously lit this tank with 2x15W T8 tubes and even at this level you need CO2, I got hair algae until I added the CO2, so its a hard call, I imagine the best option is probably 1x24W T5 and this way you could probably get away without CO2, but I haven't tried this, just a guess on my behalf.

I have also lit this tank with just a 15W T8 tube this worked as well but stuff hardly grew at all, but it did work.

I would probably try a single 24W T5 tube without CO2 and see how it works out.

Good luck with the job and plans for the tank.......DONT FORGET THE PICS!!!!!!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

PS: Miss Wiggle and ICEEGIRL, I have job as an adjunct professor of voice and Vocal Pedagogy. Doesn't pay much, but it's a start. At least I'm employed.

got professor in the job title, can't be that bad

 

[Themuleous]

Thats wicked news Llj, congrats and as Alice says, with professor in the title its gotta be good!

Sam