Photo tank recommendations? (upcoming trip to Borneo)

[panaque]

Does anyone know where in UK/EU I might be able to purchase a small photo tank for use in the field?
I'll be returning to North Kalimantan (Borneo) in January (see http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 26&t=41570) and I'd like to be able to document the fish diversity a bit better this time.
I won't be needing it in Tarakan fish market...

but I would like to be able to take better pictures of the small stuff in the rain forest...

(Rasbora cf. sumatrana and Systomus sealei, I think)

[BomNya]

They are fairly easy to make. Just think up the dimensions you want, and have someone at a hardware store or glass store cut it,or to save money, just cut it yourself using a cheap glass cutter. All you need is a glass cutter, clear silicone sealant, and glass. This page has dimensions for making one: http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/di ... _tips.html

One addition to the conventional photo boxes that I do, is add an extra sheet of glass with a small 1" slat added horizontally towards the top so as to make a platform for dorso-ventrally flattened fishes. below you can see this catfish sitting on that edge I am talking about:




Also carrying wooden clothespins will help keep the center glass piece in place to free up one hand for the camera and one for coercing the fish into the spot you need with a stick.

I would absolutely love it if you took some live photos of Garra!! We just described a new species from Northern Borneo, based on older museum specimens, but I suspect live photos may help us tease apart more of the G. borneensis complex.

Good luck!

[panaque]

Many thanks for the link and the tips! I think I saw some Garra hanging out with the Gastromyzon last year. Unfortunately, overnight rain turned the knee-deep clear water stream into a raging brown torrent several meters deep before I could catch and photograph any. I'll make sure to grab my chances if the river is low this time!

[ClearSky57]

What about, using the same hardware store scenario.....having them cut some clear plexiglass , similar dimensions as your glass cage, but much lighter, won't break and although will scratch, if you slip a piece of newsprint between sheets and slip the whole thing into a large zip lock bag it will travel ok in your bags.
you can buy a small tube of silicone to glue it when you get there. Now I realize silicone isn't the proper glue for sealing plastic, it will seal for your purposes, and simply bring a bun h of rubber bands to wrap around the vessel as it is drying,and for that matter you could leave them on for structural support.
if you want the actual glue that bonds with plastics and acrylics, there is several products on the market, one brand, "welbond" makes acrylic cement that comes in a tube or small can. I would be inclined to have all my materials purchased beforehand and simply pack it in my suitcase, and put it together when I got there.
you could always leave it with someone there when you were done.
that's my take on it
good luck
cheers
david

[Marine590622]

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Hamsters- ... aQodI_kC1Q

they nest so you can take several. You don't have to worry about assembly, They are light, and even if they crack they still only leak slowly so you would still be able to use them.

[panaque]

Here's what I put together from bits I had lying around. It won't win any awards for craftsmanship but it holds water, is see-through, and fits nicely in a sandwich box. Off to Borneo tomorrow. I'll report when I get back.

[Shovelnose]

Quite late to respond, I carry two photo tanks these days.




One for fish up to 4 inches TL.



The second one for fishes up to 6 inches.

[TwoTankAmin]

Also late to this thread. I buy tanks in the states from an outfit called glasscages.com. They offer something called starfire glass which is clearer than the normal glass used for tanks. You can see it here http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=58

I am pretty sure they could ship to the UK but you would need to contact them. The will make a container or sell you the glass to make your own.

[panaque]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I got on quite well with the little tank I made. We found more than 30 species, including some interesting catfish. I will post a report in a separate thread once I have my photos organised, hopefull in the next few days. I was lucky to have a professional photographer on hand some of the time...

[Jools]

Glyptothorax

? I look forward to seeing them!

Cheers,

Jools

[panaque]

Glyptothorax

? I look forward to seeing them

Yep. Two species thereof...