Help me build a dream tank

[msmith619]

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[to be honest there are so many good deals i have seen on CL i would just buy a whole set up from some one on there.... }

OK, what, who, where is CL?

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[and that sunlight is going to be more heat for the tank .... ]

The aquarium will be 3-4 feet from the window and get filtered sunlight thru an oak tree outside the window that goes to a porch with a 6 foot roof over-hang.

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[Did the apartment manager say this? Very surprising if so.]

Yes, the apartment manager made some calls and said weight was no problem. They did suggest renter's insurance in case I damaged the walls or floor with spilled water or with spray from the tank.

Quick question about open top tanks. Electricity and salt water are not a good combination. I see the T5 lights have mounting brackets that attach to the side rims of the tank. It seems to me salt spray, or worse, if I bump the light, it may go in the tank, short, electrocute me etc. How do I prevent that without a glass top?
Mike

[Kristy]

CL = Craig's List

www.craigslist.org

[Robb_in_Austin]

Yes, the apartment manager made some calls and said weight was no problem. They did suggest renter's insurance in case I damaged the walls or floor with spilled water or with spray from the tank.

Quick question about open top tanks. Electricity and salt water are not a good combination. I see the T5 lights have mounting brackets that attach to the side rims of the tank. It seems to me salt spray, or worse, if I bump the light, it may go in the tank, short, electrocute me etc. How do I prevent that without a glass top?
Mike[/QUOTE]

Wow, I guess things have changed since I was in an apartment(>10yrs). Cool for you!

If you run a canopy, just retrofit T5's into it. If you run a fixture, you can hang most of them or place on the top. Most(all?) have some type of splash shield to protect the reflectors and electrics. My TX5 has mounting tabs on it that keep it mostly stable on the rim. I can move it back/forth without really worrying about dropping it. I have to take it off to do any real work though. Also, see about swapping to receptacle with a GFCI unit.