My planned 40b setup

2994 Views 24 Replies 11 Participants Last post by watercage, Oct 11, 2012

watercage

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2009

Hey there!

I am in the proces of getting my list of equipment for my 40b setup. I wanted to list what I have so far and get some input on it.

I left freshwater about 6 years ago to start a reef tank. I currently have a 65g reef, but have accumulated a lot of stuff in my 20 years of fish keeping. This will be my first planted tank.

Substrate 5g bucket from aquariumplants dot com

Filtration Dual Whisper 60 HOB (I have these from previous setups)

co2 I have a Red Sea Pro Kit with a 10lb bottle. I traded my friend this for my old 46b bow & stand. He was gonna setup this on his tank but never got around to it.

Lighting Based on my definate use of co2, I want to get the right lighthing to benefit the co2. I am pretty set on T5HO (36") Question is should I go with 2x39w or 4x39w

Any input is appreciated.

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leaf

· #2 · Oct 12, 2009

I love 40 breeders, but I can't ever justify the price on one! To think, I passed up a 90p for $30 more than a 40b. Sounds like you pretty much have everything you need but you might want to drop a little cash on a canister filter. Not only do they look much cleaner, HOBs are notorious for degassing dissolved co2 into the atmosphere. But if co2 cost isn't a issue, blast away! As for lighting it really depends if you want plants that have lower or higher light requirements. At 4wpg it gets really fun!

EDIT//

oh I forgot,
WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!
:fish::icon_sad::tongue::icon_smil:icon_smil: :wink:

:icon_mrgr

roud:

mirimpfli

· #3 · Oct 12, 2009

I think this is enough .....
I do agree with you. Those are the most effective way

FSM

· #4 · Oct 12, 2009

Sounds good, I agree with getting a canister though.

2x39W would be enough, but because the tank is 18" wide, it probably wouldn't do a great job evenly lighting the whole area. I would get two 2x39W fixtures. If you've got a canopy, retrofits would work great.

watercage

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 12, 2009

FSM said:
Sounds good, I agree with getting a canister though.

2x39W would be enough, but because the tank is 18" wide, it probably wouldn't do a great job evenly lighting the whole area. I would get two 2x39W fixtures. If you've got a canopy, retrofits would work great.

I dont mind getting the 4x39. I will be building a DIY canopy so a retrofit kit would fit no problem. I want to get lights that will not put any limitations. Ive already been thru this with my reef tank.

Does anybody know the length of 36" T5's with endcaps?

I will also check out a canister filter. Any recommendations?

speedie408

· #6 · Oct 12, 2009

You def. need 4x39W of t5ho lighting. Like FSM said, the key is to get the light evenly distributed throughout the tank since it's got some nice depth (front to back) to it. As for filters, don't settle for anything less powerful than a 2217. I'm running one myself and without my powerhead, I wouldn't have enough flow. Take a look at my 40Breeder journal if you haven't yet. It should be able to help you out a tiny bit at least. Good luck and have fun!

watercage

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 12, 2009

Thanks

2217 isnt expensive, $149.99 - I can deal with that or more. Maybe Im just desensitized to cost after having my reef tank, but this tank seems like its going to be cheap!

What kind of turnover should I have? 5x?

I will be going with 4x39W.

Whats everybody's thoughts on the substrate. I hate to reask questions ( i spent the last few days reading) but I was also considering the stuff used on Golf Courses (cant remember the name, have to look)

If I do decide to go with the bucket from aquariumplants, I am just going to only that, and not mix it. Sound good?

speedie408

· #8 · Oct 12, 2009

watercage said:
Thanks

2217 isnt expensive, $149.99 - I can deal with that or more. Maybe Im just desensitized to cost after having my reef tank, but this tank seems like its going to be cheap!

What kind of turnover should I have? 5x?

I will be going with 4x39W.

Whats everybody's thoughts on the substrate. I hate to reask questions ( i spent the last few days reading) but I was also considering the stuff used on Golf Courses (cant remember the name, have to look)

If I do decide to go with the bucket from aquariumplants, I am just going to only that, and not mix it. Sound good?

You must be talking about 'Turface'. It's what they use at ball parks. I have some in my tank and it grows plants well due to it's high CEC, as long as you are dosing ferts. The drawback of Turface is that it's very light and gets disturbed easily.

I don't know how well the stuff from aquariumplants.com works, but I think you can go other routes for much less. Have you looked into 'mineralized top soil', ADA Aquasoil, Eco-complete, or Flourite? Those are just a few that have been tried and true by members here and/or myself that I've witnessed.

Left C

· #9 · Oct 12, 2009

Have you considered ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia?
http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?main_page=afa_product_info&cPath=12_21&products_id=99
http://www.adgshop.com/Aqua_Soil_Amazonia_p/104-021.htm

watercage

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 12, 2009

I was considering Flourite at first. Havent looked into the others.

I really dont have a preference. Whatever works. I think Flourite costs $16 for a 15lb bag. Id imagine I need at least 5 bags to get at least 2" of depth - so its a bit pricey, but so is the stuff from aquariumplants.

I dont think i want to mix it. I keep reading that people who top off with pool filter sand end of having it mixed together....Id rather just have one kind of substrate.

Im open to any suggestions regarding substrate.

I still have to research what plants I want....I dont know much right now. I know I want the grassy bottom look, thats for sure

speedie408

· #11 · Oct 12, 2009

ADA AS ftw! It's a little pricier than other substrates but it'll grow "pretty much" anything.

bradac56

· #12 · Oct 12, 2009

The aquariumplants.com bucket is just re-branded SMS/Turface so it would be cheaper to just go to your local Lesco or John Deere store and pick it up in 50lb bags for about $10 to $15 dollars a bag. I've use Turface MVP Gray and the older SMS Gray allot (it's still the majority of my tanks) and I haven't had many problems with it being to light. It looks about the same size and shape as Fluorite just a different color and if it's lighter it's not by much.

Other than MTS and PFS it's going to be your cheapest option and it's got the highest CEC value tho MTS and ADA has a very high organic count (ferts baked in). MTS takes allot of work to make and ADA is going to be a big chunk of change so it depends on what route you want to go.

You could also go old school and get un-fertilized topsoil from a landscaping or orchard supply store and cap it with eco/fluorite for the iron trace or use PFS and add Fe cheaper. That would probably be a bit cheaper than the full Turface option. This is the way I do big tanks (60gal+).

- Brad

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watercage

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 12, 2009

Id be down with some Aqua Soil. Figure I need 3 9-litre bags. Thats only $86, about what I'd pay for the others.

Only thing is shipping ($31.75) Wonder if I can get it locally anywhere.

watercage

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 12, 2009

bradac56 said:
MTS and PFS

What are these exactly? Im a n00b!

FloridaFishGuy

· #15 · Oct 12, 2009

watercage said:
What are these exactly? Im a n00b!

Mineralized Top Soil and Pool Filter Sand.

watercage

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 12, 2009

Ok, this is great information.

If I go with ADA, will I still have to fert? I dont mind a daily routine as I am used to manually dosing my reef.

Speaking of, now that I have 5 posts, here is my 65

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SvenBoogie

· #17 · Oct 12, 2009

I'm setting up a 40 breeder myself, I'm in the final stages of setting things up. All I have left to do is buy a few materials to hang my lights. My lighting isn't going to be ideal to start with, but I already had the lights I'm going to use, and since I got them for basically $0, I figure they'll do for now. They are actually (wince) t12 36" retrofit kits. I have 4 of em, but I figure two should do it, they are 2 x 30w each kit, so that would be 120w total. I suppose I could fit 3 of the kits over the tank if need be... hmm... might have some thinking to do... Will be using a 2217 and a powerhead, pressurized co2 run in to a glass/ceramic diffuser placed directly under the powerhead. Flourite black substrate, dosing will depend on how much lighting I go with.

Left C

· #18 · Oct 12, 2009

watercage said:
Id be down with some Aqua Soil. Figure I need 3 9-litre bags. Thats only $86, about what I'd pay for the others.

Only thing is shipping ($31.75) Wonder if I can get it locally anywhere.

Those are the only two vendors in the US that I gave you links to.

FYI, Amazonia comes in 9L and 3L bags, normal and powdered, and original Amazonia and Amazonia II. There are also other versions of Aqua Soils that is in different colors. They also have some nice sand. Rocks and driftwood is available at Aqua Forest (http://www.adana-usa.com)

I've read that GreenLeafAquariums.com is going to have a very nice substrate, but I don't know when it will be available. You may want to contact Orlando about it. The preliminary reports about this substrate have been promising.
GLA's current substrates: http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-substrate.html

watercage

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 13, 2009

Thank Left C. I will probably order some Aqua Soil from one of the vendors. Still, $120 isnt too bad to know I have an awesome substrate.

Ferts - will I still need to fert with this soil? I would imagine yes after time when the ferts are consumed.

Lets talk about lights

Im going to order this kit from hellolights.com for $199.99

This kit was designed for saltwater because it comes with 2 10k's and 2 actinics. So I dont have to buy all new bulbs, I was thinking keep the 10k's and add some Aqua Medic Planta 6500k in an alternating arrangement. They told me they could swap out the actinics with 10k...but im not sure about having 4 10k bulbs.

What do you guys think about that?

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speedie408

· #20 · Oct 13, 2009

Dry ferts are the preferred way to go, but there are a number of other liquid ferts readily available as well such as pfertz and seachem lines (could become costly overtime).

That light setup looks nice. I'd go with 2x10K & 2x6500K. Plants need the light range from the 6500K. You can even throw in a 'pink' bulb in there for added color.

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