ajoyfulbettas 40 gallon

setting up my first 40g, can you help with what I need?

so I have the tank, 40 gallon breeder, the stand, and the lid. I plan to use an AC20 and Tidal35 together for filtration. sound okay?

looking into lights, I really love the finnex planted + 24/7 but it’s wayyyy too expensive. how about the Beamswork DA 6500k 0.50W Series? I want an easier planted tank, not too much algae or anything, I want to keep it kinda low tech! however I haven’t looked into the idea of CO2 or anything but i’m pretty sure it’s complex and expensive. I just want some nice bushy plants.

heaters- I haven’t had too much luck researching these, most say they’ve had various issues and half are very expensive. what’s the best 200W heater? or would a 150W work as well? or two small heaters?

substrate wise I want to do a “river” of sand through black gravel. I have the black gravel and some white sand, and slates to separate. however with plants, is there a way to do layering of a fluval stratum like substrate and gravel? how much would I need? i’m reading 1-2lb per gallon and 3” deep.

I also have driftwood but i’m going to have to get some more. what’s the best way to attach plants to driftwood?

I think that covers all the bases I need lol...

stocking wise i’m not too sure but I love the idea of a betta sorority community tank. any help appreciated!

 

Don't cheap out on a heater, it's one of the most important pieces of equipment, or more so make sure it's good quality. The only one I can wholeheartedly recommend is the Fluval E Heater but i'm sure there's cheaper that will do a good job.

For the Stratum i'd say two 8kg bags, I used about one and a bit in my 27 gallon and I banked a lot of it.

Super Glue, the wood needs to be dry otherwise it can get messy.

Just know with a Betta sorority, you could set everything up perfectly and do everything right and it can still fail, that's just how they are unfortunately but your tank size at least gives you a Betta chance

 

Don't cheap out on a heater, it's one of the most important pieces of equipment, or more so make sure it's good quality. The only one I can wholeheartedly recommend is the Fluval E Heater but i'm sure there's cheaper that will do a good job.

For the Stratum i'd say two 8kg bags, I used about one and a bit in my 27 gallon and I banked a lot of it.

Super Glue, the wood needs to be dry otherwise it can get messy.

Just know with a Betta sorority, you could set everything up perfectly and do everything right and it can still fail, that's just how they are unfortunately but your tank size at least gives you a Betta chance

thanks!
i‘ll probably get that heater, it’s the best rated on i’ve seen, but also the cobalt seems good too.

is there a way to layer or mix stratum and gravel? it will be about 2/3 of the tank (other 1/3 is sand)

and I agree i’ve had a betta sorority that was super successful since I raised them together, but when I went out of town someone overfed, two passed and the rest started getting aggressive towards each other i’ve heard the more the females the more the tank the better the success. i’ve also heard other semi-aggressive breeds help? barbs and such. good thing I have tons of time to research!

thanks again!

 

thanks!
i‘ll probably get that heater, it’s the best rated on i’ve seen, but also the cobalt seems good too.

is there a way to layer or mix stratum and gravel? it will be about 2/3 of the tank (other 1/3 is sand)

and I agree i’ve had a betta sorority that was super successful since I raised them together, but when I went out of town someone overfed, two passed and the rest started getting aggressive towards each other i’ve heard the more the females the more the tank the better the success. i’ve also heard other semi-aggressive breeds help? barbs and such. good thing I have tons of time to research!

thanks again!

Not sure about layering the stratum sorry.

Sucks about the sorority, i've heard about situations like that where the dominant female dies then it all goes wrong I've not heard about "semi-aggressive" fish helping but it's certainly worth looking into.

 

Not sure about layering the stratum sorry.

Sucks about the sorority, i've heard about situations like that where the dominant female dies then it all goes wrong I've not heard about "semi-aggressive" fish helping but it's certainly worth looking into.

for sure! I have also decided on substrate. black diamond sand and pool filter sand. i’ll be fine dosing ferts, no need for expensive substrates!

 

For heaters, the Chewy website has both the Aqueon Pro and Fluval digital 300w heaters on sale for under $30. If you have a PetSmart nearby, they will price match the Chewy website price.

The Beamswork DA seires or DA F-Spec should work great. They sell an optional plug in timer that independently controls the blue and white lights. I've used their DA series F-Spec for 2 years with no issues.

Do you already have those 2 filters you mentioned ?&?

 

You are correct, the Finnex is pricey, especially for the high end CC variant with bells and whistles so understand if you go another way. I have; however, found that it has given me an easy degree of control others don't necessarily offer. Shop around and for me the key has been programmable in terms of spectrum, intensity and on-times. It's saved my bacon multiple times, even prevented a die off when my filter dies - just turned the light on 24/7 for a couple days to keep the photosynthesis going and stuck a small sponge filter in for surface disturbance and oxygenation.

 

For heaters, the Chewy website has both the Aqueon Pro and Fluval digital 300w heaters on sale for under $30. If you have a PetSmart nearby, they will price match the Chewy website price.

The Beamswork DA seires or DA F-Spec should work great. They sell an optional plug in timer that independently controls the blue and white lights. I've used their DA series F-Spec for 2 years with no issues.

Do you already have those 2 filters you mentioned ?&?

I will check out those heaters today!! thank you!

and awesome!! i’m glad you haven’t had any issues with it! i’m still deciding between that and the finnex.

yes, otherwise I would get a filter that’s made for the tank but I already have these two and it would save me a ton of money. and they’re already cycled!

okay so this is what I went with. i’m broke now.

-finnex 24/7 planted plus
-2 orlushy 150w heaters
-instead of the AC20 and tidal35, i’m keeping the AC20 in my 10g, and I bought a tidal75 for the 40b. so a tidal35 and tidal75
-2 50lb black diamond substrate
-50lb pool filter sand

plants

-limnophila aromatica standard
-small-medium sized amazon swords
-rotala rotundifolia
-dwarf sagittaria
-ludwigia minI super red
-pogostemon octopus-hopefully
-thrivec fert

hardscape
some type of rocks
driftwood

fish
-2 gbr
-12 runny nose tetras
-12 cherry barbs
-12 3 stripe corydoras
(I think all compatible)

let me know what you guys think!

question: if i’m moving over my tidal35 which is cycled and am I fine to set up my tidal75 today and move the tidal35 over from my 10g, and move my rams over the same day? or should I wait a bit. it’s just the two rams atm.

 

okay so this is what I went with. i’m broke now.

-finnex 24/7 planted plus
-2 orlushy 150w heaters
-instead of the AC20 and tidal35, i’m keeping the AC20 in my 10 gallon, and I bought a tidal75 for the 40b. so a tidal35 and tidal75
-2 50lb black diamond substrate
-50lb pool filter sand

plants

-limnophila aromatica standard
-small-medium sized amazon swords
-rotala rotundifolia
-dwarf sagittaria
-ludwigia minI super red
-pogostemon octopus-hopefully
-thrivec fert

hardscape
some type of rocks
driftwood

fish
-2 gbr
-12 runny nose tetras
-12 cherry barbs
-12 3 stripe corydoras
(I think all compatible)

let me know what you guys think!

question: if i’m moving over my tidal35 which is cycled and am I fine to set up my tidal75 today and move the tidal35 over from my 10 gallon, and move my rams over the same day? or should I wait a bit. it’s just the two rams atm.

The Cherries and Tri. Corydoras aren't temperature compatible with the Rams unfortunately, they won't do great long term being kept at above 80f the Rams really need.
Not sure about switching filters over as Rams can be sensitive.

 

The Cherries and Tri. Corydoras aren't temperature compatible with the Rams unfortunately, they won't do great long term being kept at above 80f the Rams really need.
Not sure about switching filters over as Rams can be sensitive.

really? I heard cherrys are fine in around 82? I just looked up the 3 stripe again and I have no idea where I got the high temp from, sterbaI seem to like high temp maybe?

 

really? I heard cherrys are fine in around 82? I just looked up the 3 stripe again and I have no idea where I got the high temp from, sterbaI seem to like high temp maybe?

Barbs usually breed at high temperatures but keeping them there isn't good for their health.
SterbaI and Bronze are the two I know do well.

 

okay so this is what I went with. i’m broke now.

-finnex 24/7 planted plus
-2 orlushy 150w heaters
-instead of the AC20 and tidal35, i’m keeping the AC20 in my 10 gallon, and I bought a tidal75 for the 40b. so a tidal35 and tidal75
-2 50lb black diamond substrate
-50lb pool filter sand

plants

-limnophila aromatica standard
-small-medium sized amazon swords
-rotala rotundifolia
-dwarf sagittaria
-ludwigia minI super red
-pogostemon octopus-hopefully
-thrivec fert

hardscape
some type of rocks
driftwood

fish
-2 gbr
-12 runny nose tetras
-12 cherry barbs
-12 3 stripe corydoras
(I think all compatible)

let me know what you guys think!

question: if i’m moving over my tidal35 which is cycled and am I fine to set up my tidal75 today and move the tidal35 over from my 10 gallon, and move my rams over the same day? or should I wait a bit. it’s just the two rams atm.

150 pounds of substrate for a 40 gallon breeder? That sounds like a lot. How deep are you planning for it to be?

 

150 pounds of substrate for a 40 gallon breeder? That sounds like a lot. How deep are you planning for it to be?

it’s not all going in there haha! i’m doing about 3/4 black and 1/4 white and those were the minimum sizes, it’s should only be about 80-90, I'm also trying to do like a higher scape in the back so I know i’ll need more in the back the rest is left over for my other tanks!

Barbs usually breed at high temperatures but keeping them there isn't good for their health.
SterbaI and Bronze are the two I know do well.

okay thanks! any other suggestions to replace the barbs? I was super excited any reds or something to match the rummies?

 

Cardinals are what you are missing !
The standard ram tank goes ;
Rummies
Cardinals
SterbaI cories
And of course rams ..
There a few other fish that fit the heat requirement but we will wait to go BIG before we recommend discus and clown loaches !
In a 40B you could have 2 or 3 pairs of rams IME.. This is a 40b of mine a couple years ago !

 

Cardinals are what you are missing !
The standard ram tank goes ;
Rummies
Cardinals
SterbaI cories
And of course rams ..
There a few other fish that fit the heat requirement but we will wait to go BIG before we recommend discus and clown loaches !
In a 40B you could have 2 or 3 pairs of rams IME.. This is a 40b of mine a couple years ago !

I had the thought of cardinals.. but i’m scared of them! i’ve heard they’re hard to keep alive I was also trying to be a little unique lol! any other fish to replace the cardinals? if there isn’t other little guys then I guess i’ll do them i’m also not sure if I want to do more rams, thanks for letting me know it’s possible though! I like to give my two rams all my attention... so far:
-2 rams
-12 rummies!
-12 sterbaI cories

so what else should/can I add? this is my first bigger tank so i’m not aware of all the species!

also.. clown loaches <3 so cute!! maybe one day.. I know they get HUGE!

looks like I got stuck with black AND orange sand... it’s okay, more color!






coming along

how do I switch my filters over? I currently have a tidal35 and ac20 and 2 sponge filters on my 10 gallon that are fully cycled. the tidal35 is going on the 40 but I was planning on keeping the ac20 on the 10. I haven’t had the tidal35 on for long however I also got a media bag full of bb so i’m assuming it’s fully cycled. I haven’t had any issues in this tank but again it has the other filters on it ive had for years.

how should I move them over? my rams are moving over with the filters but I want to make sure they will be okay.

 

I would move the 35 and a sponge over to the 40 and run them a day or two at least before moving rams ..
Hopefully the sponge is mature enough to handle the load while the system grows in .

 

I would move the 35 and a sponge over to the 40 and run them a day or two at least before moving rams ..
Hopefully the sponge is mature enough to handle the load while the system grows in .

they should be, ive had them running for like 2 years with no problem!

i’m going out of town on friday until monday so tm would be the final day I could move them before leaving, best to just move the 35 and the sponge and add some ammonia to the tank until I get back?





filters switched, 5ppm ammonia added! i’ll check before I leave tomorrow to make sure my little sponge guy can keep up with the rams in about a week

so back to stocking... i’ve done some more reading and research
here are the decided fish:
-2 german blue rams (might add another pair, probably won’t but it’s an option)
-12 rummy nose tetras
-12 sterbaI corydoras
-12 of one of the ones below

now for the questions..
I was told cherry barbs won’t work but looking into it some say they’re find in like 81? would they work? I really love their color and shape.
how about otos? they’re work with the corys because they’re more so “glass” and not bottom feeders right? I also found they seem to be okay up to 82
or would neither of those work and I could do cardinals. I just really like cherry barbs!

 

Cards like rummies are made for the heat but also 50/50 when stocking sometimes in good cases ! Neither are cheap fish .
The cherries are cheap enough to be worth the try IMO ? You really should not have issue at 82 IMO .
They do have great color ..I kept LF cherries before , they were nice looking fish I admit !

 

what do you mean 50/50? and awesome! i’ll try those instead of cardinals!

 

Hard survival rate ..50/50 ..
Neither the rummy or card ship well ..

 

oh I see, my best bet would probably be to have my lfs order them yes?

 

well today is not going to be the day i’m moving my rams.
so on 2/6 I added 5ppm ammonia
my tidal35 had been with my cycled ac20 and 2 sponge filters for about 3 weeks along with a bag of seeded bio media from my lfs.
I had also moved a sponge filter over that is cycled
the tidal75 is the only one with new media, and I also might go get a bag of used media from my lfs today.

ammonia: 2ppm
nitrite: 0???
nitrate: 20ppm
ph, kh, and gh = my other tanks
7.8,3,5

I guess i’ll just give some more time. I still have to add a black background and plants anyway. maybe I shouldnt add plants until it’s fully cycled since it will stall I believe.

not the test results I wanted to see today

 

5 ppm is a good bit of ammonia to process.
When I set up my second 40 b last year, I used some bio media plus a sponge from my established Fluval 406 canister in the Fluval 307.
I only dosed to 2 ppm ammonia and it took about 2 weeks before I felt the tank was ready. I moved my five 3-4 inch golden diamond barbs first and had no ammonia spike.
But it looks like your tank is processing the ammonia so that is good! Things always take longer than we think it would like
Good luck! I love my 40 b tanks! Such a great size.

 

5 ppm is a good bit of ammonia to process.
When I set up my second 40 b last year, I used some bio media plus a sponge from my established Fluval 406 canister in the Fluval 307.
I only dosed to 2 ppm ammonia and it took about 2 weeks before I felt the tank was ready. I moved my five 3-4 inch golden diamond barbs first and had no ammonia spike.
But it looks like your tank is processing the ammonia so that is good! Things always take longer than we think it would like
Good luck! I love my 40 b tanks! Such a great size.

thanks for sharing your experience! i’m super excited for this tank! first big one!

 

thanks for sharing your experience! i’m super excited for this tank! first big one!

Keep us posted!

 

today I added a black background, and black borders. then I unfortunately had to rescape... it will look better once the water clears up and I get plants though! I had to take out the path since I knew the goldfish would mess it up. I also have to reboil my tree since it has some weird fungus on it. oh well! it will look better soon. goldies coming friday or monday!