[0live]

Well that $1/gal sale at Petco has me itching for some new tanks.. The planets must be aligned because my boyfriend agreed (on the same day the sale started) to let me have a fish room in the basement.

My plan is to get one of the 72x36x18 racks from lowes and set it up like a workbench. I wouldn't need to be worried about the MDF shelving on the shelf the 40B sits on since that would sit directly on the the steel shelf. I'd probably fill in with 5-10 gals on the other shelves with plywood replacing the particle board for some breeding projects.

That's my base plan anyway.. I'm really not sure though. Part of me thinks that I should go for some 20L's on a 72x48x24.. maybe next $/gal sale?

It's also been about 7 years since I set up a big tank.. and I'm actually thinking about picking up two. I hate MTS.

I was looking for thoughts on this plan, as well as equipment recommendations. For the 40g I was considering a sunsun which I've seen some pretty good reviews on.. but I'm not sold on it. I also haven't thought about lighting at all. Thoughts, recommendations and concerns appreciated.

 

[deeda]

Double check the rack measurement to be sure that the tank will fit in between the rack uprights. Depending on the tank brand, the tank is probably longer than 36", at least in my experience. My 30B's are 36 1/4" long x 18 1/4" wide but shorter than the 40B.

If you will be running multiple tanks, air driven sponge filters are a viable alternative to canisters or power filters.

 

[1better]

My 40b that I bought during the last $1/gallon sale measures 36 1/8" long x 16 7/8" tall x 18 1/4" deep. I believe the plastic trim around the bottom is ~0.5" wide. Thats all that would be in contact with your shelf.

I would verify the capacities of the shelf. I looked earlier at some of the shelves at lowes and some of them are more than sufficient. But keep in mind the full weight of the tank will be around the 500 lbs range.

Plan where the tank and shelf will be located within your house. Ground level vs upper level, floor joists direction, load bearing wall, etc. Make sure it is located in a safe location.

I plan on using an Eheim 2215, which I hope will be sufficient. I have not set it up yet, so cannot give you personal feedback on that yet. I'm not sure how they compare to Sunsun filters.

I've got a glass lid for mine and will be planning on either Finnex Ray 2 LED or 36" T5HO lighting. Have yet to decide which way to go.

Just a few things to consider.

 

[0live]

hrm. I'll have to check that out. There's a Lowes on my way home.. I'll stop and check.

 

[h4n]

I don't know how safe it is to having your 40b sitting on the metal lip... Thats about over 400lb water/tank/and whatever sitting on the metal lip..

I would just plywood to replace it. Better safe then sorry...

Also... look into Odyssea Canister Filter. I have a cfs700 on my 40b and its has great flow plus a built UV light. A cfs500 (smaller one) would be perfect.
Lastly a eheim 2215 definitely will not cut it for a 40b. I have a 2217 on my 40b and it doesnt do anything.
Now I have a cfs700 on it and it has like 3-4x the flow of the 2217 haha at half the price!

hope that helps!

 

[0live]

I don't know how safe it is to having your 40b sitting on the metal lip... Thats about over 400lb water/tank/and whatever sitting on the metal lip..

I would just plywood to replace it. Better safe then sorry...

I'm not sure I understand the unease here.. IIRC the 40B sits on the bottom trim and not on the bottom glass. If I were to add plywood what would that do?

 

[h4n]

I'm not sure I understand the unease here.. IIRC the 40B sits on the bottom trim and not on the bottom glass. If I were to add plywood what would that do?

Ya I guess misunderstood it.

Ya should work..give it a shot

-Sent from my Samsung Note, a "Phablet"

 

[0live]

Like a glove

 

[tattooedfool83]

Welp, glad to see u pull the trigger on this. I'll be subscribing and eagerly waiting for updates!!! I have the sun/ sun and love it. I made a DIY 44" spray bar the length of the tank and the flow is exceptional yet not to strong. U could do a sump as plumb both tanks together and that would save on cost. 1 heater and one pump, and it all runs on same water. Just an idea. DIY Joey on YouTube. Hahaha

 

[0live]

Welp, glad to see u pull the trigger on this. I'll be subscribing and eagerly waiting for updates!!! I have the sun/ sun and love it. I made a DIY 44" spray bar the length of the tank and the flow is exceptional yet not to strong. U could do a sump as plumb both tanks together and that would save on cost. 1 heater and one pump, and it all runs on same water. Just an idea. DIY Joey on YouTube. Hahaha

I was thinking about doing a sump.. Not sure what I'll do and I'm in no rush really.

I have the other half of this thing still and could get a total of 4 40s on the two racks.

 

[0live]

I could also get some glass cut and partition one or two for breeding projects.

 

[tattooedfool83]

If u did 2-40s with a 20 gallon sump u could use one heater and one return pump. Gudgeon breeder project???

 

[0live]

Well I still have a whole other rack to work with. I might do a rack of divided 40s on the next $/gal sale and keep this one as two whole 40s.

 

[tattooedfool83]

I like that rack. How much weight is it rates for?

 

[0live]

1000lbs per shelf

Got it from lowes

 

[tattooedfool83]

Nice. Definetly strong

 

[kingjombeejoe]

That looks perfect. I thought it was a tank stand when I fist saw the picture. Do you know what the exact model number is on that rack? I want to be sure if I get one, it has the closest dimensions to that one. Oh yeah, and is your tank the tetra 40B or the aqueon 40B?

 

[0live]

Item #: 319466 | Model #: MR3618BLKLB

 

[1better]

Very nice! Looks like it was meant to be lol.

 

[kingjombeejoe]

Item #: 319466 | Model #: MR3618BLKLB

Thanks, you are awesome!