New shots... SE Asian and African biotope tanks

I say if you're inclined to spend the money on salts, then go for the FOWLR. I think for puffers I'd want to go with a tank with an 18x36" footprint, but that's just me. Now a brackish tank with Celebes Rainbows, bumblebee gobies, and some black mollies might be really cool. I thin vals can handle 1.005, which would be fine for all of those. Something odd like waspfish might be cool (LiveAquaria was selling them as Panther Gobies). At them moment, I might be tempted with a 36 BF to put down sand and river jacks, a bunch of branchy driftwood, a small stand of vals or a dwarf lily, and then a trio of apistos, a half dozen cories, a rineloricaria whiptail, 10 or so marbled hatchets and 10 or 20 pencilfish.
 
I say if you're inclined to spend the money on salts, then go for the FOWLR. I think for puffers I'd want to go with a tank with an 18x36" footprint, but that's just me. Now a brackish tank with Celebes Rainbows, bumblebee gobies, and some black mollies might be really cool. I thin vals can handle 1.005, which would be fine for all of those. Something odd like waspfish might be cool (LiveAquaria was selling them as Panther Gobies). At them moment, I might be tempted with a 36 BF to put down sand and river jacks, a bunch of branchy driftwood, a small stand of vals or a dwarf lily, and then a trio of apistos, a half dozen cories, a rineloricaria whiptail, 10 or so marbled hatchets and 10 or 20 pencilfish.

Thanks for the ideas Top. Liking the Panther idea especially...
 
Wow Vader - your tanks (and approach to this hobby) are spectacular. I gotta' read through this thing a couple of times just to know what the **** you are talking about!

LOL Coy @ 'approach' to tanks... the learning curve has certainly been steep.

The Mrs. and I are headed to Vegas mid-March. When we return, I'm going to use flat black Krylon Fusion for the background. At some point, I really need to get the 90 gallon sprayed as well (who knows when that may be). How many thn coats of spray paint did you wind up using on your 150? Any tips/tricks before I spray the bowfront?
 
Your tanks are beautiful!!! I love them both!! Great looking stock. :headbang2:

How about indian mudskippers for your 36? I think they are fascinating, and would be radically different from your current themes. :)

Whatever you decide... I can't wait to see it!!!! Your tanks are really special! :drool:

Hurry and get a new camera so we can have some closeups. :grinyes:
 
LOL Coy @ 'approach' to tanks... the learning curve has certainly been steep.

The Mrs. and I are headed to Vegas mid-March. When we return, I'm going to use flat black Krylon Fusion for the background. At some point, I really need to get the 90 gallon sprayed as well (who knows when that may be). How many thn coats of spray paint did you wind up using on your 150? Any tips/tricks before I spray the bowfront?

Make sure the glass is exceptionally clean first (windex). Very, very thin coats and a lot of them. I must have sprayed 10 - 15 thin coats. The good news is that it dries very quickly (15 minutes). I just went out in the garage every so often and gave it another coat. I also taped off the back and covered the entire tank with plastic. With that many coats you "will" have paint dust all over the place. It does sweep up pretty easily.
 
Your tanks are beautiful!!! I love them both!! Great looking stock. :headbang2:

How about indian mudskippers for your 36? I think they are fascinating, and would be radically different from your current themes. :)

Whatever you decide... I can't wait to see it!!!! Your tanks are really special! :drool:

Hurry and get a new camera so we can have some closeups. :grinyes:

Thanks so much for the kind words Melody! Another great idea with the 'skippers. It would be totally different. Still haven't decided and fortunately I have time as the painting must happen first.

Yes, I really need a camera that can take a decent macro photo LOL
 
Make sure the glass is exceptionally clean first (windex). Very, very thin coats and a lot of them. I must have sprayed 10 - 15 thin coats. The good news is that it dries very quickly (15 minutes). I just went out in the garage every so often and gave it another coat. I also taped off the back and covered the entire tank with plastic. With that many coats you "will" have paint dust all over the place. It does sweep up pretty easily.

Welcome back Wayne Newt.... I mean Coy. I'm sure Vegas was great as usual :D Thanks for the advice; I was planning on ~5 thin coats and will now up the count based on your recommendation. The Mrs. also wants to spray the back of her new 75 gallon bearded dragon tank and I'm going to try a textured spray for that application. We'll test-spray our 10 gallon feeder tanks first just to see the effect.
 
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