Default's 33 cube + xr15fw

default said:

Here's a teaser!

I decided to give LEDs a go for plants and I grabbed a ecotech radion xr15fw along with a tank mount. I also really like cubes, so i decided to get a larger cube - an upgrade from my previous nano - so I got a AI fire 50x50x50cm.

Heres the equipment list so far:
-50x50x50 starfire cube
-xr15fw 60w (programmed for 9 hour photoperiod)
-substrate - ADA amazonia with netlea lambo + lambo root fertilizer
-cork roll mat
-homemade particle board stand
-eheim 2232
-10lb co2 + aquatek regulator
-fluval 150w heater
-possible koralia nano 425
..more to come!

so here's the tank and light..

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....should turn this into a SALTY!

Jaysan said:

....should turn this into a SALTY!

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Never!! actually I'll think about it!

default said:

Never!! actually I'll think about it!

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eh y'all are inspiring me set up a planted aquarium. c''est question: for a 50cm tank, what other lighting options are there to shine high light? I looked up the light you have, it's mooollla.

cb1021 said:

eh y'all are inspiring me set up a planted aquarium. c''est question: for a 50cm tank, what other lighting options are there to shine high light? I looked up the light you have, it's mooollla.

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the choices are fairly similar to larger tanks, for high light you can either go metal halide, compact fluorescent, t5ho, or LEDs.
MH: a smaller wattage fixture would work good, something around 70W, but a lot of heat.
CF: I just don't like CFs, the bulbs are expensive as well.
t5ho: best choice, they come in 18" with good colour choices.
LED: expensive initially, but no bulb replacement cost - is more economical long term. there are also less expensive fixtures available that can do a good job: (Evergrow, finnex, current, etc.)

This radion is pricey, you also get features you most likely won't use, but I really like the control and versatility. it looks nice on the tank and I have a good time playing with it . I just got the tank planted and monitoring how the light works for the reds in plants. pics to come soon.

Your tank is looking good man. What fish do you have in there? Or is it a shrimp tank?

I love the layering you've done with the plants and rocks. It's so pleasing on the eyes. Well done And the cube and lights...very nice!

Ryan s said:

Your tank is looking good man. What fish do you have in there? Or is it a shrimp tank?

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Thank you! There's only one oto cat in there at the moment with some amano shrimps + yellow shrimps. This tank will have more fish once it's filled in more though, hopefully I'll add more otos this Friday along with some small fish and more shrimp. The shrimps are mostly acting as clean up crew.

Jiinx said:

I love the layering you've done with the plants and rocks. It's so pleasing on the eyes. Well done And the cube and lights...very nice!

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Thank you! I find the pictures don't do it justice and especially being a shaky iPhone pic! I really like the layout so far though, this setup has a lot more room then my old 7 gallon cube!

Great looking tank. I've got the exact same tank from AI, and I turned mine into a large stone iwagumi. I personally like the dimensions of this tank. It's a good volume tank that's easy to work with.

exv152 said:

Great looking tank. I've got the exact same tank from AI, and I turned mine into a large stone iwagumi. I personally like the dimensions of this tank. It's a good volume tank that's easy to work with.

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Thanks! I love the footprint, great for pendant lighting!
Do you have a thread for you tank?!

Nice work, what are your thoughts on the XR15?

I am also interested on your thoughts about the XR15

man those lights are bad ass, as suggested by the rest, more info on those please.

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I'm really liking the light, the sunrise and sunset features make the tank something else - my last tanks always had timers that were strictly on/off, but now the light slowly dims on and slowly dims off.

It grows plants really really well, although it could definitely use more reds in the spectrum to allow red plants to pop more - but nonetheless, it grows everything super well. Lots of power for less power consumption is always nice as well.

Just not quite sure if it's worth over $400+ for the light and mount.. I justify it by telling myself I'll save on bulb changes. However I do still highly recommend the light if you're looking for a light for a footprint under 30x30".

i love the way the roots look on your floating plants.