DAS 75 Gallon
DAS 75 Gallon
Here's my DAS flatback hex aquarium which I bought in Texas, where they are manufactured and quite popular. The wood is white oak, finished with Minwax "pickled oak" if anybody cares!
- Attachments
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- Here's the regulator. I wanted this picture to be second, but forgot it altogether and had to edit it in,which placed it first. I have a standard industrial 20lb. tank from Roberts Oxygen, which has already lasted 3 years. Cheap!
- Tank pictures 11-05 001.jpg (135.59 KiB) Viewed 2960 times
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- Eheim CO2 reactor, bubble counter at bottom, ceramic plate diffuser not visible. About twice life size. Note small bubbles visible. Bubbles rise about 10", then get hit by filter ouflow, which knocks them around for a while, aiding absorption.
- Tank pictures 11-05 008.jpg (136.33 KiB) Viewed 2962 times
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- water is drawn through the smallest compartment first, at different strata, then through the second (vacant at present, but could be used for peat or other media) and finally into the main filter compartment, a large cylinder foam element with a power hea
- Tank pictures 11-05 007.jpg (141.55 KiB) Viewed 2962 times
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- Lighting is 4 x 48" x 40 watt flourescent, mixed bulb types
- Tank pictures 11-05 005.jpg (128.64 KiB) Viewed 2962 times
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- Tank pictures 11-05 003.jpg (141 KiB) Viewed 2962 times
There are 4 bulbs. The two covered ones came with the tank, the two uncovered ones I added later. I don't think I can fit 4 covered ones in there. The tank is covered with 3 removable oak panels (not shown in any of the pics) that are lined with a white insulating / reflecting panel. So, the light from the exposed bulbs is reflected off the tank tops a bit.
However, the tank is fairly deep, and I admit that the low profile plants have never done great. Tall stem plants no problem.
The tank is in a prominent place in our house, so overall appearance is important. If it were practical to improve lighting within the space afforded between the lids and the glass braces, I'd consider it, but am not really interested in hanging high intensity bulbs above the tank. Also, we tend not to crank the A/C in our house as much as most people do, so excessive heat in the tank is a consideration.
Just a side note, I have from time to time found fry in the filter compartments. Those were the lucky ones!
As for substrate, I have a base of 1" sand, laterite on the sand, and gravel on top.
However, the tank is fairly deep, and I admit that the low profile plants have never done great. Tall stem plants no problem.
The tank is in a prominent place in our house, so overall appearance is important. If it were practical to improve lighting within the space afforded between the lids and the glass braces, I'd consider it, but am not really interested in hanging high intensity bulbs above the tank. Also, we tend not to crank the A/C in our house as much as most people do, so excessive heat in the tank is a consideration.
Just a side note, I have from time to time found fry in the filter compartments. Those were the lucky ones!
As for substrate, I have a base of 1" sand, laterite on the sand, and gravel on top.
I have messed around a bit with aluminum foil reflectors, but in the end it was more hassle than it was worth, plus the heat issue argues for minimal extra stuff under the lids beyond the bulbs.
The Krib has some unbelievable research results by hobbyists who compared white plastic reflectors (like two of mine) versus foil versus other options, measuring light output of each. I admire and aspire to their geekdome!
One thing I definitely need to do, is replace all the bulbs. They range from 1-3 years old, and from what I've read they really lose their potency after 6-12 months of use, though visually you would never notice the decline.
I usually buy one good aquarium bulb to highlight fish colors (say $15-20) and the rest a variety of plant/aquarium bulbs from Home Depot or Lowes.
Does anybody have a good local source for bulb varieties beyond the Home Depot types?
The Krib has some unbelievable research results by hobbyists who compared white plastic reflectors (like two of mine) versus foil versus other options, measuring light output of each. I admire and aspire to their geekdome!
One thing I definitely need to do, is replace all the bulbs. They range from 1-3 years old, and from what I've read they really lose their potency after 6-12 months of use, though visually you would never notice the decline.
I usually buy one good aquarium bulb to highlight fish colors (say $15-20) and the rest a variety of plant/aquarium bulbs from Home Depot or Lowes.
Does anybody have a good local source for bulb varieties beyond the Home Depot types?
Following a very little research and some discussion with folks at the meeting on Saturday, I replaced my aging bulbs with 4 x 40w Phillips 6500k, 2075 lumens. Several people I talked to suggested 6700k as a good place to be, 6500 was the closest I could find without going mega $ at Petsmart. Here are the details:
Philips Improved Color Rendering 40 Watt, T-12 Rapid Start Fluorescent Lamp with Medium Bipin Base, ALTO Low Mercury Technology, and 6500K Daylight Deluxe White Color. (diameter 1 1/2", length 48")
By the way, at Home Depot these were about $6 for two, over $5 for one, very cheap if buying in pairs.
This is kind of a stop gap measure for now, pending improving the reflector situation. I have a couple of questions, anybody feel free to jump in with opinions!
1- In the 1 day since I put the bulbs in, some of the plants I acquired at auction Saturday are losing the red in their leaves. I don't know if this is related to the lighting or iron deficiency or whatever else. They otherwise appear healthy, in fact there is definite new growth in the tank from the refreshed lighting. What thinks you guys, iron, light, or something else?
What I'm getting at with the light query, is am I missing a key light spectra for red?
If so what kind of bulb should I add into the mix?
2- I'd like to find a reflector or two, that could be laid on top of my tubes or even attached, though that would not be necessary. If you look at the picture some posts above, you'll see I have two naked bulbs and two with reflectors. At least one of the reflectors has tinged brown over its 5 year life, and I am looking to replace both plus get more reflection from the other two bulbs.
Would appreciate recommendations on sources for reflectors. Simple, cheap and shiny are best!
Philips Improved Color Rendering 40 Watt, T-12 Rapid Start Fluorescent Lamp with Medium Bipin Base, ALTO Low Mercury Technology, and 6500K Daylight Deluxe White Color. (diameter 1 1/2", length 48")
By the way, at Home Depot these were about $6 for two, over $5 for one, very cheap if buying in pairs.
This is kind of a stop gap measure for now, pending improving the reflector situation. I have a couple of questions, anybody feel free to jump in with opinions!
1- In the 1 day since I put the bulbs in, some of the plants I acquired at auction Saturday are losing the red in their leaves. I don't know if this is related to the lighting or iron deficiency or whatever else. They otherwise appear healthy, in fact there is definite new growth in the tank from the refreshed lighting. What thinks you guys, iron, light, or something else?
What I'm getting at with the light query, is am I missing a key light spectra for red?
If so what kind of bulb should I add into the mix?
2- I'd like to find a reflector or two, that could be laid on top of my tubes or even attached, though that would not be necessary. If you look at the picture some posts above, you'll see I have two naked bulbs and two with reflectors. At least one of the reflectors has tinged brown over its 5 year life, and I am looking to replace both plus get more reflection from the other two bulbs.
Would appreciate recommendations on sources for reflectors. Simple, cheap and shiny are best!
Things that make red plants red:
1. Nitrate levels of about 5 ppm - 8 ppm are best
2. Fairly intense lighting (you may be short here)
3. Adequate Iron..how much are you dosing?
4. Proper light spectrum between 5,000K and 10,000K (you're fine in this department)
A Cheap Reflector Solution:
Find some mylar somewhere (I found it at Piedmont Plastics in Rockville) and attatch it to the top of the canopy as a reflector.
1. Nitrate levels of about 5 ppm - 8 ppm are best
2. Fairly intense lighting (you may be short here)
3. Adequate Iron..how much are you dosing?
4. Proper light spectrum between 5,000K and 10,000K (you're fine in this department)
A Cheap Reflector Solution:
Find some mylar somewhere (I found it at Piedmont Plastics in Rockville) and attatch it to the top of the canopy as a reflector.
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SCMurphy
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2104
- Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:40 pm
- Real Name: Sean
- Location: Maryland United States
I think that if you switch out the two bulbs without reflectors and put in a couple AHS 55 watt kits or the 2x65 watt system you mentioned you will be very happy. If they were in the front of the canpy you'd be even happier because you could gow any foreground plant you want.
The bubls you got at HD are fine, I've grown great plants under them for years.
How handy are you, you could easily replace all four bulbs with a smaller reflector and ODNO some T-8 bulbs and get a lot more light into the tank.
The bubls you got at HD are fine, I've grown great plants under them for years.
How handy are you, you could easily replace all four bulbs with a smaller reflector and ODNO some T-8 bulbs and get a lot more light into the tank.
"したくさ" Sean
Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.
If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!
I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up!
Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer.
If you've got bait, I've got wasabi!
I wish I could be like Mr. Sarcastic when I grow up!
