Light from bottom of tank

[holabird]

Since I am thinking about doing a peninsula tank, I would use my live rock to build the aquasculpture in the middle of the tank so the fish can swim around all sides. In doing this, I am thinking about not putting any live sand under the live rock and only having the sand around the outside. Maybe just about a 4" wide section of no sand. If I can make this happen, I am thinking about putting a light source (maybe an old style flourescent fixture) under the tank to show up through the live rock from the bottom. I think it would be a neat effect. Maybe this can be the night time lighting for the tank. Anybody doing this or does anyone see any issues this might cause?

 

[texhorns98]

You might have some issue with algae growth up in the nooks and crannies underneath. It might be in places that a CUC or fish may not be able to readily get to. My other thought is this. I don't see ANY way possible for you to keep that sand from migrating under the rocks eventually. Neat idea, but I think you're going to find it tough to pull off.

 

[holabird]

I was thinking about building a box about 2" high and 4' long out of plexiglass and secureing it to the bottom of the tank with silicone. This would be the same height as the sand and a place to build the live rock. Yep, some sand would flow on over but as long as it didnt totally cover that box, light would still come through.

The algae is another issue. If that is a potential problem, it might not be worth it. I can make the light happen, just not sure what the consequences might be. Thanks for the insight.

texhorns98;518090 wrote: You might have some issue with algae growth up in the nooks and crannies underneath. It might be in places that a CUC or fish may not be able to readily get to. My other thought is this. I don't see ANY way possible for you to keep that sand from migrating under the rocks eventually. Neat idea, but I think you're going to find it tough to pull off.

 

[texhorns98]

I'm not sure about the algae, it was just a thought. As for building the box, You would need to consider how you will be able to blow out the inevitable poop that's going to build up in there!

 

[holabird]

No poop. I will invert the plexi box so that it is closed on the top. Nothing will get in it and I might seal it along the bottom to make it semi permanent.

texhorns98;518101 wrote: I'm not sure about the algae, it was just a thought. As for building the box, You would need to consider how you will be able to blow out the inevitable poop that's going to build up in there!

 

[texhorns98]

Now you're cookin' with gas!

 

[dartfrog]

I have the same type of peninsula tank (125 gal) and originally some of the the areas under the rock were free of sand...It didn't bother me but the jaw fish that tried to make his home under the rock was a little freaked out by the light. (which came from the fuge lights) He wouldn't go back to his cave till after I taped a piece of cardboard under the tank. I did look pretty cool though...

 

[brianjfinn]

Algae will most likely be an issue. You also need to consider the fact that, eventually, the bottom will be covered in coraline, so you'll have to scrape this in the same manner you do the sides of the tank in order for the light to come through.

 

[rbredding]

algae lives in the water column.. wherever water touches.. so too algae touches...

it's not a guarantee that algae will cover it, just as algae doesn't cover every inch of glass, it probably won't cover every inch of your "window".

but look at it like this.. if it DOES get covered with algae, it'll probably light up GREEN..


(right now, on my 90, the refugium light creeps up along the perimeter of the tank. My stand is completely open across the top (see my build pictures)

 

[brianjfinn]

Rbredding;518242 wrote: algae lives in the water column.. wherever water touches.. so too algae touches...

it's not a guarantee that algae will cover it, just as algae doesn't cover every inch of glass, it probably won't cover every inch of your "window".

but look at it like this.. if it DOES get covered with algae, it'll probably light up GREEN..


(right now, on my 90, the refugium light creeps up along the perimeter of the tank. My stand is completely open across the top (see my build pictures)

True, but in an area with less flow that also restricts the clean up crew, as in underneath the rock, there will probably be an algae bloom. This may not be a bad thing, as it will help improve water quality, but it may add more maintenance if the algae does try to grow where it can be seen. As in the coraline algae, that stuff does grow on any surface and will eventually cover the bottom, meaning it will need to be cleaned.