Attempting a 40g Breeder

[Crissytal]

Hello everyone. My new tank is finally starting to come together and I thought I would post some pictures. I'm far from finished. I am going to add some java and fissidens mosses to the wood, along with some java fern and a maybe a couple more anubias nana. I may move the stem plants around again and I'm not sure about the rocks. I'm pretty terrible when it comes to aquascaping.

The tank is a 40g breeder with a modified Magnum HOT 205 filter. I've added some flexible clear hose to the output to act as a spray bar to cut down on the current. The spray bar runs the entire length of the tank.

The lighting is a Coralife T5NO fixture. I believe it's 42 watts total. I'm noticing that I have some very dim areas, especially in the back (the fixture is centered on the tank). I'm looking at some options to add a bit more light. I haven't decided if I'm going to add a second Coralife or if I'm going to add something else. I'm on a budget, so the cheaper the better for me. I also don't want to have too much light, as I will not be adding co2. That's a concern as well, I don't want to end up with too much.

The substrate is Black Diamond blasting sand. I ended up with two grits on accident, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. The driftwood is a large piece of mopani. I soaked it for a good 3-4 weeks. It's still leaching, which I expected. Eventually I will use carbon or Purigen to help remove the tannins.

No fish yet. My fishless cycle is still going. The ammonia is being used up in less than 24 hours. The nitrites are still sky high even after two large water changes. I'm impatiently waiting. I'm looking at adding the following once everything stabilizes:

2-3 Calico Bristlenosed plecos - I haven't decided on longfin or regular fin
Endler's Livebearers
6 or so cories - Haven't decided on what type yet
2 Gold Rams - I haven't decided if I'm going to go with them for sure yet
Cherry shrimp - Undecided, they will probably end up as fish food

I haven't compiled a list of plants yet. Once I get a list together of what I'm supposed to add, I'll add it here.

I also wanted to add that the background is indeed mylar. I put it on a few weeks ago and haven't done anything with it. I'm going to go with something else, it will be changed soon.

Please forgive the photo quality. The aquarium is in the basement, and it's pretty dim down there.

The tank as of right now:


Left side:


Right side:


Filter:


Spray bar:


Let me know what you think. Criticism is welcome .

Crystal

[BS87]

I like the spray bar mod!

Also, the overall dimness of the basement may be contributing to you noticing the dark areas more.

[Ganyon]

Love the tank.

[polypterus491]

My only complaint is that it looks better than my 40 breeder.

[polypterus491]

on second thought you may have to much light. I've been running 54 watts of t8 lighting and I think it was too much, so I shut one of my lights off to try to get the lights under control. I don't know how 42 watts of t5no compares to 54 watts of t8.

hopefully I'm wrong

[Crissytal]

Thanks everyone for the comments!

It's still cycling. I haven't had a chance to do much with it scaping wise the last couple of days. I plan on doing a water change today and may move some stuff around. I'll post more pictures as I have progress.

polypterus491, I believe I read that t5NO are pretty close to t8 lighting. They are supposed to be comparable. I have a few floating plants now and absolutely no light at the top of the tank because the Coralife is so low profile. Maybe I'll just get a small clip on light? I haven't decided yet.

[Amy9]

Very nice! I'm partial to black backgrounds. They seem to make plants and fish really pop.