Mizu's 40BDR Low Tech Journal

[mizu-chan]

So here it is guys! My next tank journal, and it's twice as big! This is in fact my sisters tank. She decided that she wanted to get a bigger tank after I let her play around with my old 10 gallon, and has great success. She is buying everything, and is providing funds for plants, equipment, ect..; but I am scaping and maintaining the majority of the tank (while trying to inform her on what to do). It's going to be a really fun project for the both of us, and I'm excited to see how this tank will evolve within the next few months.

Here is a FTS after we first set it up, and then a few shots after we got plants in.










Yes, that is a butt load of Java fern. And in the third picture you can see the amazing piece of Anubias(3) he sent me as well. I can already tell we're going to have fun tying down all the java fern. Most people actually don't like the look of normal java fern, but it has always looked nice to me so I'm really happy with it. We are going to add at least one more piece of DW to the hard scape as well as a rock scape near the DW. Not sure what kind of stem we're going to put in yet, and I thinkshe will be wanting some kind of foreground plant as well. I'm leaning towards moss.

Here are the specs:
Standard 40BDR
Coralife T5, 2X21 Watt, 36 inch
Eheim 2213
HOB Filter (for 20g)
Eheim 150W Heater

Substrate:
Play sand
Shultz Aquatic Soil

Fauna:
(1)Male Betta
(1)Orange Sword Tail
(1)Zebra Danio
(1)Otto
(3)Amano Shrimp

Flora:
Java Moss
Java Fern
Ludwigia Repens
Giant Hairgrass
Moneywort
Taiwan Moss
Petite Nana


As for the Fauna we are taking out everything but the male betta, otto, and shrimp. My sister wants to have a school of smaller fish that are colorful. I've suggested Cardinals but she thinks they are over used. I've been researching and haven't been able to really impress her with anything, so if you guys have any ideas, I mean anything, please LMK. Also if you have any suggestions on the scape feel free to tell me. I'm kind of just winging it right now. Going with what I think looks good, but I know you guys have a lot of useful advice for me right?

Comments and criticisms welcome.

[youareafever]

im really liking the open look so far.

[emmanuelchavez]

Hehehe, I heard today how you got that DW

Looks really nice. There's always microrasboras.

[MistyRiver]

Wow, thats awesome! It will be exciting to watch it progress.

I'm loving all that Java Fern, where did you get it?

What about male guppies? Small and colorful... They kinda group together. :-/

[chase127]

dude, that entire blob on the right is java fern? HOLY CRAP. lol if you put that behing the DW on the left it'll look awesome!

[fastfreddie]

Can't wait to see this thing whip into shape!
The two contrasting substrates look really cool. I also really like the slim profile of those Coralife T5's. I have not seen too many people using them, but they seem really affordable and they look pretty bright here!

[deleted_user_16]

how about a huge school of microrasboras? maybe like 40 merah? THATS a school

[SeaSerpant]

Thats CRAZY. That is a huge mass of java fern. Are you going to actually use it all?

[emmanuelchavez]

Originally Posted by fishman9809

how about a huge school of microrasboras? maybe like 40 merah? THATS a school

Well, she's got like 50 green neons in her 20L, so she could probably fit at least 80 merah, no?

[Captain Hooked]

Congrats,
I love 40br tanks and your style- I expect great things. This is gonna be good. My daughter and I will definitely be checking in!

[asimkhatri]

Congrats,
Great tank! love the wood!!

[Kayen]

Hm looking forward to what you do with it this time... *COUGHCOUGH**FERN SPAM**COUGHCOUGH*

[mizu-chan]

Originally Posted by youareafever

im really liking the open look so far.

Yeah me too. I actually have never been a fan of having a closed top.

Originally Posted by emmanuelchavez

Hehehe, I heard today how you got that DW

Looks really nice. There's always microrasboras.

Haha, yes. Dan knew exactly what I wanted. (:
She doesn't want something expensive, and the micros here are pretty pricey.

Originally Posted by MistyRiver

Wow, thats awesome! It will be exciting to watch it progress.

I'm loving all that Java Fern, where did you get it?

What about male guppies? Small and colorful... They kinda group together. :-/

Got if from a another member here for a killer deal. My sister doesn't want guppies. She already saw me go through that phase.

Originally Posted by chris127

dude, that entire blob on the right is java fern? HOLY CRAP. lol if you put that behing the DW on the left it'll look awesome!

Yeah, it's ALL Java Fern. I'm going to get some rocks to tie the rest of it on, and then I'll place it towards the back. Just tying down a lot to the wood yesterday took around an hour and a half. It's going to take me all week to see how I really want it.

Originally Posted by fastfreddie

Can't wait to see this thing whip into shape!
The two contrasting substrates look really cool. I also really like the slim profile of those Coralife T5's. I have not seen too many people using them, but they seem really affordable and they look pretty bright here!

Yeah, I actually really like the T5's. It's perfect for this tank.

Originally Posted by fishman9809

how about a huge school of microrasboras? maybe like 40 merah? THATS a school

Only if you buy them for me!

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

Thats CRAZY. That is a huge mass of java fern. Are you going to actually use it all?

I don't think there is a way for me to use it all. It's seriously just a huge butt load. So if any one needs some... send me a PM!

Originally Posted by emmanuelchavez

Well, she's got like 50 green neons in her 20L, so she could probably fit at least 80 merah, no?

Hey now. lol.
I actually might move like 20 of them into the tank once I get around to it.

Originally Posted by Captain Hooked

Congrats,
I love 40br tanks and your style- I expect great things. This is gonna be good. My daughter and I will definitely be checking in!

Thanks a lot! It's going to be a challenge and take some time, but I hope I can live up to my other tank. (:

Originally Posted by asimkhatri

Congrats,
Great tank! love the wood!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Viettxboii

Hm looking forward to what you do with it this time... *COUGHCOUGH**FERN SPAM**COUGHCOUGH*

lol! Right? SO MUCH FERN! Need some?

[Kayen]

Originally Posted by mizu-chan

lol! Right? SO MUCH FERN! Need some?

Lol i would say yes but shipping Canada would kill me ;p.
My own supply of ferns is growing fast too.
I like the open top look, shame i haev some very jumpy fish in my 33g, so i have to keep it closed. I plan to have a somewhat similar hard scape with the wood and rock base you have there ;p .

[deleted_user_16]

i got a great idea mizu-chan!!!! a small group of chocolate gouramis and a school of microrasboras, that'd be awesome!!! juts with a cover, lol, those chocolates jump a lot