Fire and Water: 40g Breeder Adventures (Updated 3/17!)

[skiboarder72]

Current FTS:

10/16/09

It's been a long time in the making. I've just had this blank space over top my fireplace in my living room. It was designed for a TV, but since TV's aren't really shaped to fit there anymore, I decided a planted tank would be a much better fit.



So I go onto craigslist and find an awesome 40g breeder (it's really 45g I'm not sure why they call them 40g) for just $100. The tank is in great shape, and he is throwing in his filter (some sort of big HOB filter), heater (which you can see I probably don't need), and a powerhead 802 (which I need a mounting bracket for!). Perfect, it just leaves 2 inches on each side of this wasted space.



Here starts the fun. Logging back onto plantedtank.net for the first time in two years, I find not a whole lot has changed. So I read up on all the things I used to know back in the day, order a Catalina Solar 3x39w T5HO light system, get my old Co2 tank filled, drag the old ferts out of storage, order 100lbs of Eco-Complete and start off on my adventure.






Looks like 6 bulbs too me... must be those amazing polished german reflectors


ooo... pretty moonlights!




5x 20lbs Eco-complete substrate


Testing in the garage (where leaks won't matter!)


After carrying it to its final location, adding 100lbs of Eco-complete, and setting up the light and filter


My awesome hardscape... more driftwood to come, it needs to soak longer


Plants to come soon (tomorrow hopefully)

So here are the overall stats:

• 40g breeder (36x18x16)
• Catalina 3x39w T5HO
• Pressurized Co2 w/ Azoo Regulator
• Hagen Bubble Ladder
• 100lbs of Eco-complete Substrate
• Emperor 400 HOB filter (minus the biowheels)
• Fireplace heater

Plants will be coming soon...

[FloridaFishGuy]

Looks great! Can't wait to get mine. The catalina light looks great.

[skiboarder72]

Originally Posted by FloridaFishGuy

Looks great! Can't wait to get mine. The catalina light looks great.

Awesome, what one did you end up ordering?

[hydrophyte]

Looks like you have a good start and it looks like you know how to handle your camera.

That's a much better use of that spot than putting a TV there.

[FloridaFishGuy]

Originally Posted by skiboarder72

Awesome, what one did you end up ordering?

Lol, I have not even bought the tank yet. Wife and I are dealing with some unexpected bills (her speeding ticket) and we are going on our first anniversary trip in a few weeks. Hopefully I can start buying stuff at the beginning of next month. I am thinking of getting the 2x39w T5 Current Nova Extreme since I can get it for $75 locally. If I go the co2 route I can just get another one.

[FloridaFishGuy]

What is your overall plan for the tank? The only thing I have planned for the tank is some bundled driftwood that will be put on one side and branch out towards the middle. I got the wood from my oak tree that is constantly dropping dead branched.

[nemosreef]

Tank looks great. Looks like the space was made for it. Where did you purchase the Catalina Solar 3x39w T5HO light from? I am interested in getting one like it but all I can find is the 2 or 4 bulb models and 3 would be great for my tank.

[skiboarder72]

Originally Posted by nemosreef

Tank looks great. Looks like the space was made for it. Where did you purchase the Catalina Solar 3x39w T5HO light from? I am interested in getting one like it but all I can find is the 2 or 4 bulb models and 3 would be great for my tank.

Thanks! I got it from catalina's site... http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/

[speedie408]

Awesome! Another 40B Journal . With your experience, I'd really like to see what becomes of this tank. You are definately off to a great start. That's the light Florida showed me and after seeing your pics, I think that light will be perfect for any 40B. (Get this light Florida!)

Your tank placement however may serve as a challenge later, unless you don't mind getting up on a stool to work on it. It's def a perfect spot being your tank will be the centerpiece.

Subscribed and welcome back!

[FloridaFishGuy]

I just realized, where the heck are you going to put the filter?

[SearunSimpson]

Its wierd, I've always been into girls and stuff, but like, that Catalina is one hot thing! That is one awesome light. For real. I'm excited about that light.

[skiboarder72]

Originally Posted by speedie408

Awesome! Another 40B Journal . With your experience, I'd really like to see what becomes of this tank. You are definately off to a great start. That's the light Florida showed me and after seeing your pics, I think that light will be perfect for any 40B. (Get this light Florida!)

Your tank placement however may serve as a challenge later, unless you don't mind getting up on a stool to work on it. It's def a perfect spot being your tank will be the centerpiece.

Subscribed and welcome back!

Thanks, I'm really excited too. It's either going to go really well or fail really hard! And since its in the middle of my living room it's going to be visable for everyone to see

Originally Posted by FloridaFishGuy

I just realized, where the heck are you going to put the filter?

I have a dual cartridge HOB emperor 400 filter for now, it just barely clears with the back of the wall. I took the biowheel's out of it as I've heard bad things about planted tanks and biowheels.

Originally Posted by SearunSimpson

Its wierd, I've always been into girls and stuff, but like, that Catalina is one hot thing! That is one awesome light. For real. I'm excited about that light.

She is pretty sexy

[skiboarder72]

Here's a link to my last tank... way back when

26g Planted Puffer Playground

[trev]

nice start, cant beleive you pakced 100lbs of eco in there!! haha.



cant wait for plants!

[prjct92eh2]

In! I'm thinking about getting that light in the 48" variety for a 55 gallon i'm moving over to.