40G Breeder Build - Advice Welcome!

calfishguy · Feb 28, 2013

FrankAbagnale said:
It's actually 6-7 different pieces that are screwed together. Manzanita dot com. Highly recommend them. Very cool company to work with.

Cool. Won't the screws rust though.

FrankAbagnale · Feb 28, 2013

I used stainless steel screws so I'm not too worried about it. If it rust a bit in the future, it won't be enough to cause me any concern. I opted out of silicone because I think the screws will do a better job of holding over time. It will also make it easier for me to reuse the manzanita.

calfishguy · Feb 28, 2013

FrankAbagnale said:
I used stainless steel screws so I'm not too worried about it. If it rust a bit in the future, it won't be enough to cause me any concern. I opted out of silicone because I think the screws will do a better job of holding over time. It will also make it easier for me to reuse the manzanita.

You already thought of that. Wonderful. Post more pics when the tank is fully set up.

FrankAbagnale · Feb 28, 2013

Did a water change, finally got my lights hung on the fixture (still need to make some changes), and my plants semi organized. Unfortunately my wood is still floating a bit so I have rocks sitting all over it. It pretty much ruins any picture. Here's one just for the heck of it.

FrankAbagnale · Mar 3, 2013

I hesitate to add these pictures because I have some rocks sitting on my driftwood to keep it from floating. The tannins have gone way down with a lot of water changes. Plants are still acclimating. I'll probably let them all grow for awhile before I change anything.

Jakepen · Mar 3, 2013

How do I post my own thread? I can only respond. I want to post my own. Help?

FrankAbagnale · Mar 3, 2013

When you're in a sub forum (ex: Planted Tank, General,...) Just click the link that says new thread.

Jakepen · Mar 4, 2013

FrankAbagnale said:
When you're in a sub forum (ex: Planted Tank, General,...) Just click the link that says new thread.

Thank you very much

FrankAbagnale · Mar 8, 2013

Nothing much has changed, but the wood is almost ready to have the rocks taken off. It still wants to float a tiny bit but should be ready soon. Plants are looking better since the change.

FrankAbagnale · Mar 20, 2013

Not sure if anyone is even following this, but...

Not a whole of changes. The wood has finally sunk and is no longer floating. Moved a few plants around.

I'm trying to figure out what plants to add...The front right foreground needs something for sure. If anyone has ideas, please let me know.

Stupid rim.

Added a GBR couple.

calfishguy · Mar 20, 2013

FrankAbagnale said:
Not sure if anyone is even following this, but...

Not a whole of changes. The wood has finally sunk and is no longer floating. Moved a few plants around.

I'm trying to figure out what plants to add...The front right foreground needs something for sure. If anyone has ideas, please let me know.

Stupid rim.

Added a GBR couple.

Beautiful tank. Where did you get those stunning gbr?

Mcor · Mar 20, 2013

Gorgeous tank!! LOVE the wood. Looks amazing. Can I have it!?

FrankAbagnale · Mar 20, 2013

calfishguy said:
Beautiful tank. Where did you get those stunning gbr?

Thanks, and I actually picked those up at my lfs. Colored up pretty nice since adding them on Friday.

Mcor said:
Gorgeous tank!! LOVE the wood. Looks amazing. Can I have it!?

Haha thanks!

Rivercats · Mar 20, 2013

Pogostemon helferi would look good IMO or Dwarf Baby Tears if you have high enough light for them.

redsea · Mar 20, 2013

I love your tank! Especially the Rams!

_skyla_ · Mar 20, 2013

That wood really is an awesome piece! Looking really good and gbr are such cool fish I have two in my 41g

FrankAbagnale · Mar 20, 2013

Rivercats said:
Pogostemon helferi would look good IMO or Dwarf Baby Tears if you have high enough light for them.

Pogostemon helferi looks pretty cool. That would work pretty nicely. Haha actually, that plant is exactly the look I'm going for. Thanks!

I did have baby tears in here, but it kept getting pulled up. I had to move it to my 10G and is carpeting really nicely.

Old Scales · Mar 20, 2013

THe 40g breeder IMO is a great size for plants because it is only 16" deep. This means you get enough light to your bottom plants without overlighting many taller ones at the top. Your dual T5 HO light should be plenty for all but the most demanding plants. I'd stay with it for awhile and see how it does. Follow Rivercat's advice. She's probably the most experienced plant person we have coming in here.
Caudially, OS.

FrankAbagnale · Jul 24, 2013

It has been quite awhile since I've been on this site or posted any pictures. Since the last time I was on, I've added 10 serpae tetras and 6 pencil fish.