Noah's 40B Rainbow Garden

[Noahma]

I figured I would start a journal for this tank, even though it will be quite a while (hopefully within 6 months) before setting the tank up. This first post will also serve as a storage area for my plans lol.

The 36g I currently have running will be torn down and parts sold off after the 40g is setup. This will be my 5th planted tank, and I will be focusing more on the actual scape than growing plants. I have tried just about every stem I could get my hand on, and have certainly decided on my favorites.

The tank will have a mixture of stems and other plants. I do not mind the maintenance its very calming and relaxing to do.

Tank: 40 Gal Breeder
Filtration: Aquatop CF400uv
Lighting: 36" Aquasun dual T5HO fixture.
CO2: Pressurized system custom built by OldPunk w/ a 5lb tank. Diffused through an inline diffuser.
Substrate: Black Diamond blasting sand w. Rootmedic root tabs.
Fertilizer: EI dosing modified to meet the plant density's need.

Plants: TBD

Fishy Friends: Several small to medium sized Rainbowfish species.

will certainly keep
Melanotaenia Herbertaxelrodi (4) (will move from the 36g)
<del>Melanotaenia Kamaka</del> (4)

optional species
<del>Melanotaenia Gracilis</del> (may be about impossible to find, but I will try)
<del>Melanotaenia Maccullochi</del>
<del>Melanotaenia Solata</del> (another that may not be available at all in the us)
<del>Melanotaenia fluviatilis</del> (goulburn or murray river)
Melanotaenia Nigrans (found a couple people I might be able to get these from)
Pseudomugil Frucatus (decent sized group of these little guys)

I might add a few small bottom dwelling fish as well, hopefully from the same part of the world as the Rainbows (around Australia or New Guinea) I am currently doing research.

There will be a few holdovers that have been with me for years, which include several glowlights. All of my endlers, I mean ALL will go to the LFS lol I have way to many of them.


The plan for the aquascape is to create a fairly large open area with low stem bushes at the rear. A tree stump is planned for the far right with some random stones to add flavor. I currently am looking for the tree stump (6"-8" diameter with horizontal root structure intact, and 16-18" tall.) I might go for a thick carpet of dwarf hair grass (have not done that one in a very long time) with patches of Staurogyne 049 among a rock outcropping in the left side of the tank.

the objective is for as much open space, while keeping a very heavy plant density for the rainbows to play in.

I will probably be adding some pictures of inspiration as I plan this out more.

[Noahma]

I think I have my stocking list down at least for now.

(4)M. Herbertaxelrodi
http://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Haxel.htm
(6)M. Nigrans
http://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Nigrans.htm
(15)P. Frucatus
http://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Furcatus.htm

I lost my Kamaka Male, not sure what happened but I found him dead one morning, no symptoms, and no other sick fish.

Still looking for the tree stump, The Frame is on order and should be here any week (got a great price on it too)

[Williak]

Love me some Rainbows! Look forward to seeing this tank progress!

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by Williak

Love me some Rainbows! Look forward to seeing this tank progress!

Thanks, I love rainbows, unfortunately I cannot set up a large tank to keep some of the bigger species. But I figured I could do some medium and small rainbows to curb my appetite for a larger tank for now lol

The time frame for getting the tank up and running is a moving target. My office slowed down a gain so I am back down to 3-days per week for the time being, hopefully its temporary.

I hope to have the filter ordered, and substrate within the next month to month and a half. I will order my atomic diffuser when I order my next fertilizers in a few months.

Currently my wife and I have set aside a small amount for "fish money" and with sticking to our budget I only have that money to work with. So... things are going to trickle in lol

[Williak]

Originally Posted by Noahma

Thanks, I love rainbows, unfortunately I cannot set up a large tank to keep some of the bigger species. But I figured I could do some medium and small rainbows to curb my appetite for a larger tank for now lol

The time frame for getting the tank up and running is a moving target. My office slowed down a gain so I am back down to 3-days per week for the time being, hopefully its temporary.

I hope to have the filter ordered, and substrate within the next month to month and a half. I will order my atomic diffuser when I order my next fertilizers in a few months.

Currently my wife and I have set aside a small amount for "fish money" and with sticking to our budget I only have that money to work with. So... things are going to trickle in lol

Seems like that is the best way to go. The tanks I've rushed into, have not gone anything near as quickly planned. My newest tank has been in the planning stages for a month or so now, and still has at least another month to go before even adding anything. Seems more rewarding that way

[Curt_914]

Noah Any updates on this tank? Would love to help out if I can.

Curt

[Noahma]

Nothing quite yet, I will be ordering the filter here as soon as the store gets them back in stock. The. It's on to saving for the light. It will be a while yet. The rim was also back ordered so hopefully soon for getting the tank re-rimed

[Noahma]

Alright, Light purchased from Petco (had a great coupon) and the filter ordered about 10 min. ago.

Now to save for the darn stand, and misc. parts.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by Curt_914

Noah Any updates on this tank? Would love to help out if I can.

Curt

I will certainly give you a hollar when I go to set it up. Sorry I could not help you with the 55gal. hopefully everything went well?

[KFryman]

How high above the substrate do you plan on having the light for medium or high light?

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by KFryman

How high above the substrate do you plan on having the light for medium or high light?

not quite sure yet, I will take a PAR meter to it when I get to that point. the tank itself is 18" with ~3" substrate, 15" to the top of the tank. If I use the same distance my current 36g is at it would be a close bet I will have high medium / high light at the substrate. I will probably back off a little bit from there since you can really grow most plants at medium light.

[BruceF]

What light are you going to use? I have one of these tanks myself and I am still trying to figure out what light to use.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by BruceF

What light are you going to use? I have one of these tanks myself and I am still trying to figure out what light to use.

I am using an Aquasun 36" T-5HO fixture from Petco. They are good lights for the price. I have had one over my 36g for the past couple years and It has worked perfectly. It has a single reflector, so there is a little lower par than similar lights with independent reflectors, but I can get the perfect light level out of my 21" tall tank.

It comes with suspension cables which are a nice touch so I can adjust the light level as needed

[Curt_914]

Noah, its all good. I havent had a chance to move my 55 yet! got the 20 moved and planted for the most part, Shrimp moving in soon. Looking forward to this build. If you need help with the stand let me know I am hopeing to get my band saw for christmas, so we could build something if ya wanted.

Curt

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by Curt_914

Noah, its all good. I havent had a chance to move my 55 yet! got the 20 moved and planted for the most part, Shrimp moving in soon. Looking forward to this build. If you need help with the stand let me know I am hopeing to get my band saw for christmas, so we could build something if ya wanted.

Curt

I will probably go with a pre-built stand. Wood and me do not go together, I can create the plans for others to build from, but I cannot swing a hammer or use a saw for the life of me lol