Moving right along

[rocketdude1234]

I just finished with the frame construction on one of two 40g breeder stands. This was my first time making a stand from scratch but I am happy to report that it turned out okay.

Of course, since this was my first build, there were some imperfections but overall it holds what its supposed to (I did a water test with 5g buckets and confirmed with the tank itself.)

Anyways...I have a picture from last night as the wood glue was setting and then one from just a few minutes ago after I checked the 40g for leaks.

[radioman]

Looks nice and sturdy. Good job.

[Complexity]

What are your plans for finishing the outside of the stand? Are you going to stain the wood or paint it? I love watching build threads like this. I wish I could do it or knew someone close to me who could.

[rocketdude1234]

Well, I actually painted it a flat black and finished with a clear gloss. We were going to build doors and skins for the sides but we decided we could always add them later (especially since we still have another stand to build). I'll get some pics up when I can.

As far as sturdiness goes, it was iffy at first. I got 400lbs on it and moved it a little. Side to side was great, but front to back had some real wobble. I went back and added those three supports along the bottom; lifting the middle one up just a little to allow for cords. The outer boards are mounted on the inside of the legs to leave a small lip large enough for a power strip. Now sturdiness isn't an issue.

Stands really aren't that difficult to build. This was my first build and including the 4 layers of primer, paint, and gloss, it took about 10 hrs labor total.

[rocketdude1234]

Today I built and installed the lighting set up for the 40 breeder. Its a 3' t5 from HD. I suspended it using wire rope and eye hooks from two separate wall shelves.

Tank has been up and running for about 3 weeks now. I stocked it pretty quickly with a few fry and adult guppies. It experienced a bacterial bloom for a few days until I w/c and upped the lighting and dosing. Its been running fairly clear ever since.

Now that the light is up, I want to get some breeding stock (shrimp and plecos), as well as a few plants to grow.

[Bear Sage]

Looking good!

[radioman]

It's coming together.

[BoxxerBoyDrew]

Looks good!

I too have a 40B, actually had it for almost a year, and I am going to start on the stand in a few days! I plan on a basic stand as well and will "skin" the outside when I get the extra $!

Good Luck with the 40B, and I will be interested to see how yours develop!
Drew

[crice8]

Where are you Located dude?

[rocketdude1234]

I'm in San Antonio

[rocketdude1234]

Its been a few weeks since I gave an update so I thought I'd post.

The picture is the 40b that is finally stocked, for now, with lots of plants and some guppies I'm trying to select males from (and to cycle - shame). Some of the nicer plants include didiplis diandra, l. peruensis, r. macranda, r wallichii, alternanthera rosaefolia, and red leaf nesaea.

(Most of these are at ER too so get in there before they are gone.)

Anyways, I haven't fully figured out how I am going to stock it quite yet. I know I will be pulling the guppies sooner than later. I am leaning towards plecos, but I would need to get a hold of a nice pair, and then shrimp. I was thinking blue velvets or OEBT.

Excuse the messiness ; )

[Bear Sage]

Looking good buddy text me maybe I'll grab something off you or trade.

[BoxxerBoyDrew]

Lots of nice plants in there!!!

Is there a good plant store in SA or did you order them?

Nothing here in Waco area really! 1 pretty good LFS, but not into plants and only keep bulbs and fox tail usually! Having a full size 4door truck it is cheaper for me to order than to go to Austin, but I REALLY REALLY like seeing what I am getting though!

A Buddy of mine used to live in SA and there were quite a few good LFS there then, but that was around 2000, so I bet a lot has changed since then!

Any way keep up the good work on the 40B!!! I finally got all the parts I need to get mine going! They should be here on Wednesday, and I will be getting the Black Beauty Sand and 2x4s for the stand tomorrow! Got a deal on Miracle Grow Organic soil tonight at Lowe's! They stopped carrying it last year, but still have 2 pallets of it left in the overhead, so I got 2 32qt bags for $10! SO I should have enough to do my 55g, 40B, and a 29g I am getting from a friend some time soon!

Anyway best of luck to Ya, and have fun in SA!
Drew

[rocketdude1234]

Wow, I can't believe its been two months without an update! Good news though, I got one.

The 40b is ticking right along. I added a Hagen reflector and it increased light intensity quite a bit. I also added a diy co2 system for the time being (just waiting on an order) consisting of 4 3L bottles running on two powerheads. Plants pearled the first morning, but not much since. Nevertheless, plant growth has been awesome. This tank is just pumping out myrio red, green, and fluviatilis. I added in some new species and cleaned it up.

Currently there are no fish in the system (haven't figured it out yet and I love the plants more anyways). But, I do have quite a few species : )

Currently we have b. caroliniana, c. pulcherima, l. senegalensis sp. guinea, r. sp mini type I, r. wallichii, r. macranda, lagarosiphon madagascariensis, myrio (red, green, and filigree), d. diandra, alt. lilicina, alt. rosaefolia, mayaca fluviatilis, nesaea var red leaf, heteranthera zosterifolia, and 5 or so species of crypts.







The next picture is the new 20 long I just set up. I'm using an overdriven t5 ballast that can pull between 45 and 70 par on the substrate depending on location. There is no co2 on this system yet and the only filtration is a sponge filter. I will be using a HOB 20g when we switch filters on the bowfront. Co2 will likely be diy.

I stocked it yesterday with plants and substrate. Current flora list includes alt. lilicina, l. senegalensis sp. guinea, r. wallichii, l. aromatica, lagarosiphon madagascariensis, nesaea var red leaf, and r. sp. mini type I.



Finally, and just for fun, its my recently topless 10g home to Regal, the betta. The cats drink out of it but Regal just sits right under them without issue.

[rocketdude1234]

Well I finally tore down the 36g bowfront and upgraded to a 40b. Still in stocking process, but fish remain the same for now. Plants include L. senegalensis 'guinea', lagarosiphon madagascariensis, r. mini type I, r. wallichii limnophila aromatica, bacopa caroliniana, nesaea var. red leaf, c. lucens, c. pontederiifolia, anubias congensis.

I will likely be doing a carpet and upgrading from the 2xt5 to 4xt5 shortly.