Li@m Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Emptied old holding tank so decided to do a Biotope for Neon Tetras. Size: 400x250x250mm Filter: Lighting: Going to make a custom LED setup+hood Heater: Fish: Will be putting 10 neons in. I still need to get some beech or oak leaves to put on the bottom and less powerful light. Should i put paint the background black? Any feed back welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Yea its a bad pic, ill get a better one tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Wow that's amazing, I really like it :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Should i put paint the background black? Yes. I set up a planted tank a few months ago with a black background and I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Yes, paint the background black. Looks good so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Love it! ! Yes, paint the background black. Looks good so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 I don't think you should paint it black; firstly, because this tank is a biotope and will be rich in tannins, it will be quite dark so by adding a black backround the whole tank will look too dark and the wood won't look as effective or stand out. Secondly, if you do go for a black backround and then change your mind about it or change the aquascape and need a different backround, then you'll have the problem of having to scrape off the paint from the tank which is such a pain, and you risk scratching the glass. It would be better to buy a sheet of black paper and stick it to the back of the tank with tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Try white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 I don't think you should paint it black; firstly, because this tank is a biotope and will be rich in tannins, it will be quite dark so by adding a black backround the whole tank will look too dark and the wood won't look as effective or stand out. Secondly, if you do go for a black backround and then change your mind about it or change the aquascape and need a different backround, then you'll have the problem of having to scrape off the paint from the tank which is such a pain, and you risk scratching the glass. It would be better to buy a sheet of black paper and stick it to the back of the tank with tape. Well joe heres it black. I just slapped some matt black paper on the back and it looks pretty good. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 looks good Liam. White or black background would look alright as the neons would stand out well, as opposed to blueish colours like mine. --- Hey Liam, you should let us come and see your tanks in the tank crawl on Sat. I fear mine will be the only small ones on show &c:ry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Heres a better pic, the glass is scratched to hell tho. @Sophia- ill see what im doing, 1 thing is for sure ill be franticly trying to finish a graphics project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 It actually does look good, but won't it look too dark when you put the oak leaves in and the water is full of tannins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 I can always take it off, ill just have to wait and see i guess. I just have to source some oak leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 There will still be a light shining in from the top and oak leaves don't make the water that dark in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 There will still be a light shining in from the top and oak leaves don't make the water that dark in my experience. Wanna bet I think black background would be best though. Also, you will have problems trying to find oak leaves at this time of the year. Unless you saved some from Autumn that is. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Would it be alright to use Liquid Amber leaves cause ive found some of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deepsound Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 I like this Some oak / catappa leaves will help to look even more natural and add tanins but you can also use something like blackwater aquatan (Sera) or the one from JBL. I'm not sure about Liquid Amber leaves cause they contain some balsam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 even better than oak leaves is Alder cones. Not as messy and heaps for tannins than oak leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 there are some oak leaves at Cornwall Park but you will have to have a hunt around as they are nowhere near as plentiful now as in Autumn. I'd start on Oak Tree Drive as there are branches that have fallen off and those leaves go brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 there are some oak leaves at Cornwall Park but you will have to have a hunt around as they are nowhere near as plentiful now as in Autumn. I'd start on Oak Tree Drive as there are branches that have fallen off and those leaves go brown. Thanks Sophia, Ill try get there today. Any one know where i can get Ader cones from in Auckland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 even better than oak leaves is Alder cones. Not as messy and heaps for tannins than oak leaves. +1 Now I need to find some in Auckland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 There are heaps of them around Wanganui on road sides and the river bank. Go for a drive or walk to your local reserves. Im sure you will find some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Yeah im going to Cornwall park 2moro. Heres and up date, ive changed the wood around and have brought the rocks on the right forwards to make enough room to hide the filter in/out take and heater. I played around with the camera a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted November 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Have broken down the tank now for raising fry. im going to do a high tech planted Experiment tank after wards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted January 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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