Zeb
06-15-2003, 11:13 PM
Today I was re-arranging my 10 gallon rack which for now is holding aquatic amphibians.
I was "reinventing" my paddletailed newts tank, and decided to incorporate a idea from Tetra Press's "Guide to Tropical Cichlids" on spotlighting.
This is, of course, a biotype tank....
The newt comes from fast flowing, well oxygenated streams. So naturally, we could find water worn and jagged rocks on smaller rubbles of pebble (various typed of rock as well ) and in the areas this newt is found in, dimly lit.
So to mimic this I put down a mixure of small, medium, and large pebbles of different shades but primarily dark. A DIY backing of crumpled brown paper bag adds contrast, and helps viewing the inhabitants that are always under dim lighting. ( due to room position and lack of lighting. ) Various sized river rock are layed about to provide shelter, and conceal a duetto filter in the corner, with the output above water, which expels a stream of water toward the middle of the tank at an angle. Not only does this provide appreciated water flow, but it also oxygenates the water, leaving me a pleasant view of tiny air bubbles.
Anyways, I wanted to spotlight the tank....but I couldn't use a normal sized tungsen bulb because of the newts cold water requirements. So, all of a sudden I had an idea, had it set up in a 1/2 hour, and it failed.
I grabbed a night light, removed the cover, and was left with a small exposed bulb. Using a plastic container used for mealworms ( I tried a cut-up Burger king cup first, but it broke in half. ) I used a lighter to burn a small hole in the middle of the bottom. This allowed me to set the nightlight through the bottom, and once flipped over, made a spotlight effect. To keep the light on during the day, electrician tape was used to cover the light sensor. To get power, an extension cord was used...
The results were fine, but the problem was that the bulb simply wasn't bright enough to create the effect wanted. Perhaps I can buy a brighter bulb in the same size, but I doubt it.
Meanwhile, it wasn't a complete loss....it does nicely warm the appearence of the tank, and highlights the waterfall. Sometimes you can see a dark thing slithering around, momentarily exposing it's bright red blotched belly.
I think to make it work, all I would need is a brighter bulb. Or I could buy a "pet pals" spot light, used for critter keeper tanks.
Another option is to black out the glass on all-glass flip-top hoods, leaving only a spot open. If one were to use some type of cardboard, some light would go through evenly.....maybe I can try that tommorrow.
I was "reinventing" my paddletailed newts tank, and decided to incorporate a idea from Tetra Press's "Guide to Tropical Cichlids" on spotlighting.
This is, of course, a biotype tank....
The newt comes from fast flowing, well oxygenated streams. So naturally, we could find water worn and jagged rocks on smaller rubbles of pebble (various typed of rock as well ) and in the areas this newt is found in, dimly lit.
So to mimic this I put down a mixure of small, medium, and large pebbles of different shades but primarily dark. A DIY backing of crumpled brown paper bag adds contrast, and helps viewing the inhabitants that are always under dim lighting. ( due to room position and lack of lighting. ) Various sized river rock are layed about to provide shelter, and conceal a duetto filter in the corner, with the output above water, which expels a stream of water toward the middle of the tank at an angle. Not only does this provide appreciated water flow, but it also oxygenates the water, leaving me a pleasant view of tiny air bubbles.
Anyways, I wanted to spotlight the tank....but I couldn't use a normal sized tungsen bulb because of the newts cold water requirements. So, all of a sudden I had an idea, had it set up in a 1/2 hour, and it failed.
I grabbed a night light, removed the cover, and was left with a small exposed bulb. Using a plastic container used for mealworms ( I tried a cut-up Burger king cup first, but it broke in half. ) I used a lighter to burn a small hole in the middle of the bottom. This allowed me to set the nightlight through the bottom, and once flipped over, made a spotlight effect. To keep the light on during the day, electrician tape was used to cover the light sensor. To get power, an extension cord was used...
The results were fine, but the problem was that the bulb simply wasn't bright enough to create the effect wanted. Perhaps I can buy a brighter bulb in the same size, but I doubt it.
Meanwhile, it wasn't a complete loss....it does nicely warm the appearence of the tank, and highlights the waterfall. Sometimes you can see a dark thing slithering around, momentarily exposing it's bright red blotched belly.
I think to make it work, all I would need is a brighter bulb. Or I could buy a "pet pals" spot light, used for critter keeper tanks.
Another option is to black out the glass on all-glass flip-top hoods, leaving only a spot open. If one were to use some type of cardboard, some light would go through evenly.....maybe I can try that tommorrow.