Half filled tank

[Navyblue]

I have a tank that is bigger than I would want, and more importantly, I want to make the tank lighter so that it goes easier on the surface that it is sitting on.

In freshwater, it is not uncommon for planted tank to be half filled with water and have plants growing out of the water. But for saltwater, I couldn't seem to find an example, perhaps it is really hard to make it looks good. So I am hoping to see ideas or suggestion on how to do it.

[Newstead]

I have seen pics of tanks with mangroves growing out of them, very cool looking.

[Reef noob_]

Look up "volcano Reef", it was a very cool tank in a super shallow aquarium with all sorts of algae and mangroves growing out of the top of it. Hope this helped!



Link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1823130

[CoralBeauty13]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0OxBzg2el4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJDjTWNHgZY

[Navyblue]

Looks fully filled to me. :)

[toothybugs]

You don't have to go to a planted tank to see the water level down from the surface - just look at any rimless tank. Granted they are more than half full but the water level is commonly 1.5 -2 inches down. Nothing saying you couldn't be 8 or 10 down if you moved your overflow lower.

[Navyblue]

I have 4 rimless tanks. 1-2" down is fine, but 6" in a 12" tank is just plain ugly imo with any conventional aquascape, unless the tank is placed high so that the water is at eye level. Otherwise as you look down to the tank as you typically do, all you see is surface ripples and reflection.

A paludarium (a half water half air tank) is aesthetically very different concept than plain aquarium.

[Reef Ruler]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540630

This guys tank looks to be less than half full, but I like it a lot.

[jbm421]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540630

This guys tank looks to be less than half full, but I like it a lot.

I need to read more of the thread but didn't see where he had anything placed in the tank for movement or filtration.

[Daniel62]

You could also build a skirt around the top to hide the difference in water height, and then you could place your lights inside this skirt/canopy.

[Navyblue]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540630

This guys tank looks to be less than half full, but I like it a lot.

Thanks, essentially a salt water planted tank, very different and123456 interesting.

You could also build a skirt around the top to hide the difference in water height, and then you could place your lights inside this skirt/canopy.

That was my first thought. I thought to cover up the empty glass with vinyl, so basically it will look like a tank with a hood. Though it would look kinda 1990s, but an option nonetheless. Or build a lamp shade like thing with a frame wrapped with fabric.