Marina 360 Aquarium

The first time I ran my eyes on this Hagen's kit was at a pet shop in Thomson shopping mall. I fell in love with it instantly (for loving round/circular tank so much) but the rediculous high price was killing my interest. I than did a google search for the actual retail price, where this product was invented (in canada?). I went on a hunt in LFS during each visit. Fortunately, I managed to grab one at a LFS which I figured (with cheapest freight rate factored in) was close to the retail price sold internationally.  With this new aquisition, I can delete the exhorbitant BIORB, which never seems to go away, in my wish list.. Thus, I pampered myself with early christmas gift (my last christmas pressent was at least 5 years ago or even longer, too distant to remember what it was). Anyway, enough of self-pity whinning, let me briefly introduce this 360 Marina Aqaurium Kit,

INTRODUCTION
The cyclinder, made of cyrstal clear acrylic, measures 10 inches tall by 10 inches diameter and run on 9w Led light (and 4.8w moon light).The kit has a cover too!!!

Compare the size of this Marina 360 degree aquarium kit to my recent BOYU 180 degree aquarium, you can see their difference in size.

The aquarium has a movable internal filter cum lightings cum switch. Thus there is no messy wiring except a single cable that connects all electrical components together.   Let me pull out the actual pump from the white casing, it has two interchangeable bio pads which can be bought separately at LFS.

I tilt over the filter casing to review the lighting part. The black round socket is where the led lights are located. The base filter casing has tiny holes to prevent larger debris from getting sucked into filter.

Pump output is 150L/Hr (very quiet)

The whole plug-n-play  kit also came with each bottle of Cycling and Anti-Chlorine solutions, all well thought out by the manufacturer.

 












NOW THE PLANTING PART
Having seen how the  structure works and limitation of tank size. I have decided not to go for any form of substrate even though there was 2 inches gap, between the base of tank and filter, catered for this purpose. Reason being:- I wanted more space in the tank and also facilitate cleaning up dirts without messing with substrate.  However, this does not mean I cannot create a "heavily planted tank" out of limited choice - low tech and soil-less plants.

I took some plants from my other heavily planted tank to  create the followings:-

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Front row: Rock bridge covered with weeping moss, topped with petite nana. These were salvage items from my old broken tank.
Back row (leaning against the filter); Long wood tied with needle fern, weeping most, petite nana and a final touch of Bucephalandra. (think wabi-kusa style).  Flanked by two blocks of Windelov fern.

My planting style may look quite compact inside this small aquarium but it isn't.  Here is the top view of the tank and you will see there is actually more space for fishes (haven't decided yet) to manuever on top space, around the plants and under the "planted bridge".

Thus, this is the planted 10 inches nano tank looks like..

Fauna in mind are...:

Couple pieces of Amano and Malayan shrimps. Simply, this aquarium is going to be low maintenance for night light purpose..


Once again, enjoy!!!

Pursuit of Amazon Biotope

It is time to take out my half-moon tank and give it a good dressing. Simply I am setting up a new tank again but this time, much smaller scale without worrying about backbreaking.


















Making use of available accessories, from previous broken tank,  to save cost..

 

Since I have invested quite "heftily"on my new tank, I wanted my Biotope to look "real". Thus I fork out another sum for this cork bark for my background tank.  They are quite easy to break apart with hands or strong scissors.This real stuff is half the price of an artificial resin "tree bark" and will certainly look pretty if my imagination of the final display concept comes true.

It took me a day to spray and hot shower this "tree bark" before mounting them on an acrylic sheet as I do not want to mount them directly onto my tank wall with sticky silicon. Here is how it looks like.

I placed some dragon rocks and started to mount the twisted woods to create "beneath-the-Amazon" river effect.

Mounting the 3 twisted woods is not as easy as it seems using selicon. Manuveuring my hand inside the small ciricular space is equally challenging for fear of knocking down the unyielding twisted woods.. I wasted two full tubes of selicon during the process and the woods doesn't stick well on the wall. I have to apply a generous portion of silicon, use rocks to keep them in position and wait half-day for the the glue to set and integrate with the woods..

Now is 12.30am Singapore time and I am already  exhausted and in need of a good shower before heading to bed.  Will update my tank progress another day.......

Update: 23 Sept 2013
The glue is finally cured and the woods are set and sturdy, ready to add flora soon.

Plants I have in mind from existing cultivation are:
African fern
Weeping Moss
Petite Nana
Needle fern

Plants intend to purchase are:
Thai Java moss
Star Moss
Golden Nana

Courtesy of friend (John)
Gift: Echinodorus Tenellus

Update: 24 Sep 2013
Plants added, look like a mini vivarium.

The overhead filter has concealed half the lighting. I took it out and replaced them with Eden 501 so that lights can fully penetrate into the tank.

Eden 501 is a very handy and useful fitler, You don't know when you will need it during "emergency" like this.
Apparently, there are big gaps behind the tank cover for me to add blower fan in the near fuure. I want the water to cool down further..

The setup is now 90% completed (except for the fan).  In the meantime, I will  sit back and enjoy the Amazon River Biotope before adding fishes in the weeks ahead.

Update: 5 Nov 2013

Sparkling Gourami.

Hope you like it, enjoy!

Update: 04 March 2014