Re: How much weight on 10 gal tank frame?

>>>I was just handed a 10 gallon tank last night, so of course I have to
>>>do something with it. I have a spot in a window where a 2 gallon
>>>quarantine has been that has enough light for java moss, rotala, and
>>>(next to the tank) African violets. This seems like a perfect spot
>>>for a bog filtered tank. I'm going to put a window box planter over
>>>the tank, pump water up to it and let it trickle back through
>>>hydroponics media back to the tank.
>>>
>>>I'm going to try growing lettuces and basil in the planter but may
>>>switch for more traditional bog plants if that doesn't work. It will
>>>depend whether there's enough light and how wet the planting medium
>>>stays.
>>>
>>>Anyway, has anyone put a full window box planter across the top of a
>>>10 gallon tank before? Do I need to make a shelf from a 1x4 to keep
>>>the weight off of the tank? If I can I'd rather go without the shelf
>>>because it will be more work finishing the wood to make it attractive
>>>and water resistant.
>>>
>>>--
>>> __ Elaine T __
>>> ><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

>>
>>
>>
>> I don't think a 10g would have trouble with the weight of a planter
>> box. I'd be more worried about any condensation bringing
>> metals/chemicals from the planter's surface into the water.
>>
>> The use of bog plants for nitrate and algae scrubbing is a popular
>> theme, among some in the cichlid circles, but mostly in the plant
>> groups. At one point, I think Tom Barr and others was working on the
>> optimal list of plants for this application. I think I remember
>> philodendrons making the top of the list.
>>
>> Let us know how it works out. I have an algae scrubber planned for my
>> next application, but I'm undecided on whether it will be aquatic
>> (holding microscopic life to feed the next group in my food chain), or
>> terrestrial as you have planned (more like a nitrate-scrubber to use
>> with fish with big appetites).
>>
>> I bet the filter of the future will hold some type of live plant
>> inside it (you heard it here ;~).

>
> I was planning on a cheap plastic window box planter so metals
> shouldn't be an issue. I'll set it in the sun to outgas for a coule of
> weeks just in case there are any plasticizers lurking in it. I'm also
> not sure why condensation would be different from the water which will
> be running through the planter continuously. Guess I can use some
> carbon initially as well.