Bubblegum's 40b Community Tank Build

Just wanted to say I love the amount of research you are putting into this tank build. Subscribing to this thread! Looks great so far.

A few thoughts.. a Hydor II sponge is more than enough for a ten gallon. You may want to just order that instead as the IV may be too big for a ten gallon. (Lack of swimming space)

I have four female gourami in my 55 gallon tank. They are great. Instead of panda I have SterbaI Cory, they can take the higher temps but I also do prefer the look of panda cory. I have cardinal tetras, they are very sensitive at first but once established they look great in the tank.

4 dKH and 7 dGH sound great to me. In NYC my water is so soft I have to add Equilibrium to get my GH to 6 degrees. It's made a big difference to my fish... They seem happier with some minerals in their water. Plus your plants (Vals) will love some carbonates in the water. (I am at <1dKH, not ideal, playing with fire).

I was going to advise against mixing eco complete with sand.. the Cory will be ok with eco complete but happier with sand. The eco complete will make it's way to the top, and all the sand at the bottom after a while. I have eco complete in my tank.. it isn't easy to plant with it.

Ok, so I just realized the IV sponge is going into the 40 gallon breeder not the 10 gallon tank. Oops. Should be a good match.

I used to run air filters then got annoyed by the noise level. I replaced my air filters with power heads, which are practically silent. And added a DIY filter for mechanical filter / water polishing. I will send you a picture later. Something to consider in the future

 

TexasDomer I'll play around with it. I'm going to browse around Amazon to see what I can find. (Both my mom and I have Prime, so it's just easier because of the free shipping. But I'll check other sites next.)

bigdreams Thanks! I really do love this hobby, and I want to do it right (this time). Though, about the Hydro IV, I 'm actually thinking about taking it out and replacing it with a smaller one. (When I was looking at good sponge filters for a 40 gallon the Hydro IV was one of the first ones mentioned, and I just overlooked or ignored the comments about how huge it is.) I think I may move the regular sponge filter in my 10 gallon in the 40b, and then whenever I need to cycle the 10 gallon it'll be ready. (And I'll also have room for more caves!) But yeah, post a pic of your setup!

And yeah, I realized that this morning when I was digging around the substrate rearranging the rocks. I think I just "assumed" Eco Complete was sand, which is why I picked it, and then when it arrived I was like, "What...? This isn't... OHHHHHHH. Whoops." ops: It'll have to do for now, I suppose. If I can find the room for a bigger tank I may move things around, but for now it'll do.

I ended up looking into different lights, and I'm thinking of going with the VivaGrow instead of the NICREW. It's only a few dollars more, and it's a HUGE upgrade.

 

Vivagrow seems like a Finnex knock off. I personally would stick with Finnex or look at Current USA LEDs. But that's just me.

 

I took a look at the vivagrow as well and it looks like the reviews aren't great. If you want a less expensive light for low light plants you can look at the beamswork. You can find some info on it in several places and it's all pretty good. The 36" light is about $40 on amazon, but make sure you get the 6500K light. I accidentally ordered the 10000K one.

 

The Finnex Monster Ray is less expensive than the 24/7 light, is lower output, probably better for low light plants in your 40 gallon breeder. I have the 24/7 light, love it, but don't use the 24/7 mode any more because of algae. I have it on "white" at 60% or something like that. Definitely dimmed a few levels from Max levels. I happen to have a 5" Monster Ray light and it's surprisingly bright for its small size. It's keeping some elodea and anubias alive in a 10 gallon tank. Anyway, another light to consider for your setup.

Also, I hope that's not the final resting place of your 40 gallon tank. The corners don't seem to be on the table surface! Is this your stand? You say it's sturdy but the tank will weigh about 400 pounds by the time you are done. Also, usually all four corners must be supported by the stand. Ie, actually making contact with the the stand. The way you have it positioned I worry you will have a tank failure... The seams could pop. I hope others more expert than myself weigh in on this, but the stand is one place you definitely don't want to cut corners, in your case, you are literally cutting corners here.

Edit: I am referring to the tank on the wooden table on the first page. Is this your stand? Can't tell which is the breeder tank and which is the QT tank.

 

I took a look at the vivagrow as well and it looks like the reviews aren't great. If you want a less expensive light for low light plants you can look at the beamswork. You can find some info on it in several places and it's all pretty good. The 36" light is about $40 on amazon, but make sure you get the 6500K light. I accidentally ordered the 10000K one.

I've been browsing and trying to compare Vivagrown and Finnex. I haven't found a lot that just compares them - the only "comparison" I found was that they use different hues (especially for the moonlight) - so I'm looking for other options... My mom is helping pay for most of this, which is the only reason I'm being cheap - because she is. So far, I haven't found anything.

The Finnex Monster Ray is less expensive than the 24/7 light, is lower output, probably better for low light plants in your 40 gallon breeder. I have the 24/7 light, love it, but don't use the 24/7 mode any more because of algae. I have it on "white" at 60% or something like that. Definitely dimmed a few levels from Max levels. I happen to have a 5" Monster Ray light and it's surprisingly bright for its small size. It's keeping some elodea and anubias alive in a 10 gallon tank. Anyway, another light to consider for your setup.

Also, I hope that's not the final resting place of your 40 gallon tank. The corners don't seem to be on the table surface! Is this your stand? You say it's sturdy but the tank will weigh about 400 pounds by the time you are done. Also, usually all four corners must be supported by the stand. Ie, actually making contact with the the stand. The way you have it positioned I worry you will have a tank failure... The seams could pop. I hope others more expert than myself weigh in on this, but the stand is one place you definitely don't want to cut corners, in your case, you are literally cutting corners here.

I'll look into it. I'm not completely set on lights yet.

Are you talking about the black dresser or the coffee table? If you're talking about the table, then it's not on that anymore. (Thankfully.) After I got the rocks I really thought about the weight and decided that wasn't sturdy long-term. Dad and I moved most of the living room around to put it on the black dresser. (Mom was quite shocked when she got home from work; her face was priceless.)

 

Here's my DIY filter. A clear Solo plastic cup with lid (with not so small holes cut into lid to allow water to get in), stuffed with poly fill (stuff used to stuff pillows, 100% polyester, no additives or flame retardant, can buy at craft store), with small hole at top to make tight fit with AquaClear Powerhead 20, in this example. Powerhead was about twenty dollars or so on Amazon, plastic cup was free, and the poly fill is very cheap. I have a small piece of foam on the powerhead intake to avoid sucking in polyester fibers. My "polishing pad" turns brown after a week or so.

 

Edit: I am referring to the tank on the wooden table on the first page. Is this your stand? Can't tell which is the breeder tank and which is the QT tank.

Nope, the tank is no longer on that! (We're actually planning a garage sale, and my mom has been wanting to get rid of it forever.)

And interesting filter! I had to watch it a few times because I was so focused on those gouramis!

Still haven't decided on a light (other than the NICREW one). I found a cool like "skull cave" and we decided we're getting that. (Dad and I are big fan of monster movies, especially King Kong. :shame I'm pretty sure we'll stick with one pleco* - for now - and we probably won't do cories. (I "jokingly" told my mom we could always get another tank for them ) That all being said, I'm thinking about upping the penguin school to 16, or would that be too much for a 40b? Or should I play it save and just stick to what I have?

*Mom and I really like how I arranged the rocks. I don't wanna take them down, so the cave will have to go on the other side of the tank. I'm taking out the Hydro IV and putting a smaller sponge on the side of the tank above the heater. That way it'll be easy to take out and put in the QT.

 

I updated the first post, since so much has changed in the 12 days since I started this thread. (Wow, has it only been 12 days? Feels like much longer.)

For lights, I decided to go with Beamswork - was it someone here that first recommended it? I can't remember, but thanks to you if you did! I ordered it this morning off of Amazon, should be arriving Tuesday or Wednesday. Also shipping with it is the - I actually loved the smaller one, but thought it would be too small for a BN pleco on the inside - and Thrive.

Today or tomorrow Dad and I will fill the tank. (The Python barely fits on the bathroom sink, so someone has to stand in the bathroom and hold it to the sink while the other person fills the tank. Still easier than doing it bucket by bucket though.) This week Mom and I are going to try to find a lid at Petco or Petsmart. If not, we'll just order one off of Amazon.

We're going on vacation on the first weekend in May - the fifth through seventh I believe. When we get back I'll go ahead and order plants. I'm hoping the day that we're gone the cycle will be okay. We'll really only be gone for a day - the other two days will be half days.

 

Like the cave, and hopefully you like the beamswork. Did you get the 6500K?

Yeah the python is a lifesaver! I used mine for the first time 2 days ago. No more buckets!

Try to dose ammonia close to before you leave, but I think it should be fine.

 

Just wanted to comment that for additional caves, you can get cheap clay pots from a garden store. They're more expensive on Amazon, even with Prime.

 

Like the cave, and hopefully you like the beamswork. Did you get the 6500K?

Yeah the python is a lifesaver! I used mine for the first time 2 days ago. No more buckets!

Try to dose ammonia close to before you leave, but I think it should be fine.

I just double checked... and no, I ordered the 10000K. Whoops. But yes, with ammonia that's the plan. I just hope in the chaos of leaving that I remember. I'd hate to get out on the highway and shout, "WAIT, WE HAVE TO GO BACK! I forgot to add ammonia to the tank."

Just wanted to comment that for additional caves, you can get cheap clay pots from a garden store. They're more expensive on Amazon, even with Prime.

I was thinking about that! I think we're going to Menards tomorrow (to get gardening supplies), so I may up one or two.

Well, Dad and I got the tank filled. It took about 45 minutes, evening with the Python. Still better than using buckets though. I even tapped it off with a one-gallon jug of RO/DI water (since it wasn't quite filled to the top, but it didn't make much of a difference in the end). Once I got the tank filled, I hated the look of the rocks, so I took most of them out. That second piece of driftwood also refuses to sink, so I'm using a couple of the bigger rocks to hold it down (for now). Now it just looks empty and bare, for the most part. Heater is set to 80 something. Tonight, I add the first drops of ammonia!

 

I ordered the wrong size the first time, and ordered the 10000k the second time. Now they don't have the 6500k in a 30", so I'm getting a finnex. The 6500k is the da version. Maybe you still have time to cancel the order?

 

So much info! Looking forward to seeing the completed project.
Filters-
Sponge filters- all are huge for that size tank, the one you have and the bacto surge are the best. Bacteria surge will be a bit shorter but wider.
I wouldn't go smaller on the filter, even if you have the second one. Overfiltration is always better then under, and a planted 40b needs circulation and movement. (My Bn love their sponges) Just be sure the air pump you ordered can handle the size. Make sure you have a check valve in the airline (for the bubble wand too). It allows for air to travel in, but doesn't let anything travel back out. Otherwise if you unplug the filter in while in the tank or if there is a power outage the water will siphon out, draining your tank and ruining the floors.
I would also put the filters on opposite ends, or at the very least one on the side and one in the middle. They will work better that way.
Lighting-
tried a nicrew on a planted qt (have so much extra plants I need places to put them). Nothing grew, but it maintained the plants for about three weeks before algae started.
Beamswork- have the 6500k plant specific .5w. Didn't love it. Plants grew very very slowly. Would be fine for Java fern and anubias, not sure it's good for much else. Had it at first on a 24" high tank, then moved it to a 20long... still added a second light.
Finnex stingray- best bang for the buck personally when it comes to name brands and function. I added one as a second light on my 40b, my 75, and one to be the main light on the 20long where beamswork wasn't cutting it. Can function as the main light.
Finnex 24/7 really like these, have it as my main light in 40b and 75. I needed to add a second light due to the width of the tanks and my planting locations. I planted heavily front to back and found that only those directly under the light did best. However, this is really due to plant selection and how heavily I planted. Haven't had algae issues with it, but again I also have the stingray on these tanks as well.
Chihiros series a- bay far my most favorite light ever right now! Was recommended to me by someone on forum (I've ventured into the world of needing more from my lighting). They can be found easily on eBay (half the price then on Amazon). They have the ability to raise or lower your lighting similar to the 24/7 personal setting mode. Super inexpensive and great quality, can do low to high lighting. You will need to be careful though and keep it around the fourth setting when starting out otherwise you will have an algae farm. However, as your tank settles in and you want to add more plants this may be the best option.
Possible to cancel the light order?
Substrate- I love eco complete, have it in most of my planted tanks (others have gravel or chichlid mix). I find it very easy to plant in (way easier then gravel, but probably not as easy as sand). You may need a third bag... I've found most often when people,say their plants are floating up often it is due to not enough substrate. Ideally for a planted tank you want a minimum of two inches. It will be easier to plant and more surface for the plant roots to grow.
Heater- make sure it is fine to go completely horizontal, some need to be tilted or vertical. Also it will be hard to adjust the temp if you need to with the dial all the way at the bottom.
Ferts- don't forget root tabs... even with eco complete you should use them, especially when first planting. I recently switched to an EI based liquid fert by nilocg aquatics. Find it much better then seachem that I was using at first (nothing was specifically wrong with the seachem, esp how I was dosing, but over all it's weak on the macros). Thrive is a great all in one by nilocg, a few on here use it. Giving four pumps is way easier then measuring 2/3 of a cap of flourish
Hiding the filters-
Amazon swords can be great for this, but they get very very large. Water Sprite grows quickly with fine fronds, easily can provide coverage. (Note I said Sprite not water wisteria. Wisteria is beautiful, but the stem and leaf size won't necessarily hide the filters. Depending on your lighting, stem plants ambulia, parrots feather, cambomba (all need medium ish lighting) would do a great job planted densely. For lower lighting a Java fern mat should do the trick very well too.

Happy you moved the tank to the dresser, it made me nervous with the corners off the table.

Only other thing I would suggest is a background. Being that it's in the living room it can really make all the difference. It's my one regret with my 75. Unfortunately for me I can't move it now (too heavy) so I will always be stuck looking at wires happily my 40b is so heavily planted you can't even see the back. I have since added window cling to all my smaller tanks, it really makes a difference. I have both clear frosted and black, can't say I prefer one or the other. Black hides most everything except my aquaclear tubes, frosted you will see black wires (heater, etc). If you go with black they also make black airline tubing that you could hook up to your filters in place of the clear tubing, will never see it again

 

We double checked 30 minutes ago, and out of the three things we ordered it's the only thing that's already been shipped. Of course. *Sigh* I'm thinking about not leaving the lights on as long, or doing three hours on, one or two off, and then three on. Or something like that.

I tested the water parameters at about 8 PM-ish. pH was 8.8, Ammonia was .50 ppm, no nitrites, and Nitrates were at 40 ppm. (Basically the tap out of my facet. But this was AFTER I treated it with Prime and Stability, and the Ammonia out of my tap is usually at .25 ppm.) Dosed a few drops of Ammonia, and it jumped up to 4.0 ppm. I'll test everything when we get back from shopping tomorrow and dose accordingly.

Anyway, so Mom and I got to talking about the terracotta pots. I got the idea to have some sort of terracotta pot mountain - I had to use little bottles of lotion and a candle to explain it to my mother, I don't think I'll be able to show you guys just yet Plenty of caves for two plecos, and a couple higher up for the tetras. We cancelled the Skull Mountain cave, and will be replacing it will be Terracotta Mountain.

 

The light may work just fine for you. Another member has 10000k lights on her planted tanks and her plants are beautiful! A lot of it has to do with plant choice.
My biggest issue is the tank it's on is 24" deep.
I did order the separate timer, and I can say I do appreciate that feature. It is a little difficult to figure out how to set it (it doesn't come with clear instructions, I had to google to figure it out) but I never have to worry about turning the light on or off.

 

So much info! Looking forward to seeing the completed project.
Filters-
Sponge filters- all are huge for that size tank, the one you have and the bacto surge are the best. Bacteria surge will be a bit shorter but wider.
I wouldn't go smaller on the filter, even if you have the second one. Overfiltration is always better then under, and a planted 40b needs circulation and movement. (My Bn love their sponges) Just be sure the air pump you ordered can handle the size. Make sure you have a check valve in the airline (for the bubble wand too). It allows for air to travel in, but doesn't let anything travel back out. Otherwise if you unplug the filter in while in the tank or if there is a power outage the water will siphon out, draining your tank and ruining the floors.
I would also put the filters on opposite ends, or at the very least one on the side and one in the middle. They will work better that way.
Lighting-
tried a nicrew on a planted qt (have so much extra plants I need places to put them). Nothing grew, but it maintained the plants for about three weeks before algae started.
Beamswork- have the 6500k plant specific .5w. Didn't love it. Plants grew very very slowly. Would be fine for Java fern and anubias, not sure it's good for much else. Had it at first on a 24" high tank, then moved it to a 20long... still added a second light.
Finnex stingray- best bang for the buck personally when it comes to name brands and function. I added one as a second light on my 40b, my 75, and one to be the main light on the 20long where beamswork wasn't cutting it. Can function as the main light.
Finnex 24/7 really like these, have it as my main light in 40b and 75. I needed to add a second light due to the width of the tanks and my planting locations. I planted heavily front to back and found that only those directly under the light did best. However, this is really due to plant selection and how heavily I planted. Haven't had algae issues with it, but again I also have the stingray on these tanks as well.
Chihiros series a- bay far my most favorite light ever right now! Was recommended to me by someone on forum (I've ventured into the world of needing more from my lighting). They can be found easily on eBay (half the price then on Amazon). They have the ability to raise or lower your lighting similar to the 24/7 personal setting mode. Super inexpensive and great quality, can do low to high lighting. You will need to be careful though and keep it around the fourth setting when starting out otherwise you will have an algae farm. However, as your tank settles in and you want to add more plants this may be the best option.
Possible to cancel the light order?
Substrate- I love eco complete, have it in most of my planted tanks (others have gravel or chichlid mix). I find it very easy to plant in (way easier then gravel, but probably not as easy as sand). You may need a third bag... I've found most often when people,say their plants are floating up often it is due to not enough substrate. Ideally for a planted tank you want a minimum of two inches. It will be easier to plant and more surface for the plant roots to grow.
Heater- make sure it is fine to go completely horizontal, some need to be tilted or vertical. Also it will be hard to adjust the temp if you need to with the dial all the way at the bottom.
Ferts- don't forget root tabs... even with eco complete you should use them, especially when first planting. I recently switched to an EI based liquid fert by nilocg aquatics. Find it much better then seachem that I was using at first (nothing was specifically wrong with the seachem, esp how I was dosing, but over all it's weak on the macros). Thrive is a great all in one by nilocg, a few on here use it. Giving four pumps is way easier then measuring 2/3 of a cap of flourish
Hiding the filters-
Amazon swords can be great for this, but they get very very large. Water Sprite grows quickly with fine fronds, easily can provide coverage. (Note I said Sprite not water wisteria. Wisteria is beautiful, but the stem and leaf size won't necessarily hide the filters. Depending on your lighting, stem plants ambulia, parrots feather, cambomba (all need medium ish lighting) would do a great job planted densely. For lower lighting a Java fern mat should do the trick very well too.

Happy you moved the tank to the dresser, it made me nervous with the corners off the table.

Only other thing I would suggest is a background. Being that it's in the living room it can really make all the difference. It's my one regret with my 75. Unfortunately for me I can't move it now (too heavy) so I will always be stuck looking at wires happily my 40b is so heavily planted you can't even see the back. I have since added window cling to all my smaller tanks, it really makes a difference. I have both clear frosted and black, can't say I prefer one or the other. Black hides most everything except my aquaclear tubes, frosted you will see black wires (heater, etc). If you go with black they also make black airline tubing that you could hook up to your filters in place of the clear tubing, will never see it again

Thank you! And yep, there are check valves on both the filters and bubble wand. (The air pump I have has two outputs. One is for the bubble wand, the other is for the filters. I have the check valves before the t-connector for the filters, so good there!) Actually, I think I might have two air check valves on both the bubble wand and filter, but it's good to be safe, right?

When we buy plants in a couple weeks I may go ahead and order another sponge filter, one that's a little bigger than the second one I have. I wanna move the bubble wand, because up against the wall it doesn't look as cool as I wanted. But I will move the second filter, regardless! Gotta have more filtration!

And yes, light has already been shipped. But I "accidentally" ordered the 10000K, so maybe it'll make a difference?

I'm not too sure where we're getting all of our plants from yet - probably order some off of here, and then get a few at our LFS - and then grab some root tabs while we're there. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten.

The substrate is at least an inch, but it's not completely even so in some places its deeper. But you're probably right, I could use another bag - just to be safe - however it'll probably wait until we get plants.

The box for the heater said it was fine to go horizontal, but yeah... changing the temp is kinda a pain. Once we get all the supplies for Terracotta Mountain I'll move things around and put it vertically. Someone else on a different thread recommended Water Sprite, and I'm probably gonna go there. Even though I have the list, I'm still not sure on what I'm getting. I'm so indecisive! (I think I've jumped back and forth at least four times on this page along but how many plecos I'm getting. I can't make up my mind.)

I'm thinking about going black for the background. I can't really paint it now that it's filled. (I could always unfill it, but that'd involve enlisting my dad to help again. I think he's getting annoyed with all of the times he's had to help me do something with the tank.) Might just get some black poster board or something like that and tap it on the back.

The light may work just fine for you. Another member has 10000k lights on her planted tanks and her plants are beautiful! A lot of it has to do with plant choice.
My biggest issue is the tank it's on is 24" deep.
I did order the separate timer, and I can say I do appreciate that feature. It is a little difficult to figure out how to set it (it doesn't come with clear instructions, I had to google to figure it out) but I never have to worry about turning the light on or off.

I'm hoping it will too. It'll be a test of trial and error at first, that's for sure! I thought about ordering the timer, but didn't. When Mom and I looked over everything she didn't seem too interested. (For now, at least. Maybe in a couple months she'll see that it's a useful investment.)

 

I suggest you buy your lid on Drs. Foster and Smith. Their prices are better than Petco or PetSmart, and even Amazon for that particular part. If you order some spare Prime or fish food or something, you can also qualify for free shipping at $29.

 

I suggest you buy your lid on Drs. Foster and Smith. Their prices are better than Petco or PetSmart, and even Amazon for that particular part. If you order some spare Prime or fish food or something, you can also qualify for free shipping at $29.

Such a great idea I went straight there to order one for my 40breeder, since that's one of the few things I have left to buy. Guess what is the one size they don't carry...the 36"x18" with no center brace! and they do have the best prices I have seen!!!

 

Hmm... I know I saw them somewhere for cheap when I was considering a 40B. Let me try to find it...

 

Yes I saw that one too. If you scroll to the bottom it says that item number is a 2 piece, the one I have doesn't have the center brace

 

Where's the dislike button!!

 

They have one at the petco nearby for $48, and I think I saw one for $55 at an LFS I was at Friday. They're around! Amazon price right now is $129! I can go get glass cut way cheaper than that!

 

vikingkirken I haven't checked their lids/hoods let, but that's on the checklist for tonight! (Since we didn't get to go hood/lid shopping today.)

We didn't go to Menards, we actually went to Michaels. My sis needed some bristol board, so we just grabbed about a dozen terracotta pots while we were there! (I think the lady standing behind us was getting annoyed with us though, because the pots had to be wrapped. I think she only had three items.) We grabbed two "big ones" (they're actually about medium sized, but they're the biggest ones of the bunch), two longer ones, three medium sized ones that are the same width as the long ones, and then five small ones. Also grabbed two of those flat ones that you're supposed to put the pots on to collect the water that drips out. (You know, if you use them as flower pots.)

I'm boiling everything now. I'm gonna try to keep them together without superglue for now - so that if I want to rearrange them later I can - but I don't think that'll be an option. (I did a test build out of water, but I only used the terracotta pots. Hopefully I'll have better luck once they're in the water.) I'll get pictures posted as soon as I finish!

 

Why are you boiling them? I usually just rinse them and put them in.

 

I just assumed that was the best way to sanitize them. So far, so good.

Mom and I decided. One pleco, and about 8-10 panda cories. We'll make a Petco run and grab a small bag of sand and another bag of Eco-Complete. Some sand will go in the terracotta pots, so the cories still have sand to roll around in. Now, the main question is, what order are we getting these fish in? Hmm... Not that is the hard part, isn't it? (I'm assuming, regardless, the pleco will be last.)

 

Have you decided your whole stocking list? I forgot. . I would start with your schooling fish. That way you can cycle your tank to enough ammonia to add them all at once.

 

(Long one guys, sorry.)
Yep! (Everything is final except the number of cories.)

And here it is again so no one has to go back to page one again! (It's not accurate right now anyway.)

3x Pearl Gouramis
14x Penguin Tetras
1x BN Pleco
1-2x Nerite snails
8-10x Panda Cories (I'm assuming that 10 is the max I can have with the rest of my stocking.)

The gouramis, snails, and pleco are easy to get. (Well, kinda.) LFS has the gouramis and snails, and I'm getting one of bizaliz3 cute lil' baby plecos. (Is it horrible I'm already thinking names? Apollo and Minya* are the only ones I've come up with though... for now. ) The tetras and the cories we'll have to order online, probably from Live Aquaria.

ANYWAY, my thought was (before we decided that we are getting cories) to order the tetras first. Seven would go into the main tank, the other seven would go into QT. (I was going to put all 14 of them into the tank, but I was worried that'd just throw my tank into a minI cycle.) Or should I be dosing with higher amounts of ammonia now, so that all 14 of the tetras and/or all of the cories can go in at the same time? This is the only part I'm unsure of, as I know that the gouramis and pleco will all be in the QT for at least 4 weeks before going in the main tank.

*Minya is the English-translated name of Godzilla's son, which means something like baby Godzilla. (The actually spelling when translated from Japanese to English is Minilla, but the English dub changed it to Minya, and that's what I grew up with.)

 

If you are getting all of them (tetras and cories) from the same source, I would cycle your tank fishless for the whole batch and add them all together. And do them first. 6 ppm ammonia would be plenty. You may could even pass with 4-5 ppm, but I would get an expert to advise on that*. My thinking is that since they all come from the same place, they probably won't need to be quarantined from each other. You could also add the nerites with them. They make little waste. Then I would do the pearls, qt them for 2-4 weeks as needed (advice varies on timeline) and add them 1-2 at a time, a week or so apart. Then add your pleco. (I'm hoping to get one from Biz too)

This may not be the way everyone would do it, but this is how I would do it, especially since you are ordering online. That shipping is expensive and might as well only pay it once!

*I cycled my tank to 3 ppm for 9 cories, an angelfish, 2 nerites, and 4 mystery snails and I never once saw elevated ammonia or nitrite. That's where my 6 ppm guess came from. 10 fish+6snails compared to 24 fish for you. Does that make sense?

Also, start at 1ppm and work up

 

That's what I thought (about them coming from the same place), but I wanted to be cautious. And yeah, I figured I'd get the snails whenever and put them in. It just depends on when we can get to our LFS to get them.

I just checked the tank parameters. Ammonia is still up at around 4 ppm - I wish the difference between 4 and 8 was more prominent, because it looked a little darker than 4, but not enough to be 8. Everything else changed. pH went down (not surprisingly) to 7.6 - it did the same when I started to cycle my 10 gallon and after the second day it never changed, or if it did it dropped down to 7.4 and then stopped. There was a little nitrite present, but not enough to be at 0.25 ppm. (The color looked a little purple to me, but it was still very blue.) And nitrates have gone down from my tap water! 20 ppm! Huzzah!

Before I forget all of this, I need to go start a journal like Angel did! Excel here I come!

 

I'm low-tech. I just used a notebook! Lol and I still keep it! Just in case...plus I'm cycling my qt(cuz I don't have sponge filters) so I'm logging that one too. It's almost done! but with 5, soon to be six, tanks running, I have to keep track of what's going on where!

But I also logged it here on my thread, and sometimes I had to cross-check myself! Sometimes I forgot to write it down, others I was checking to post...

 

I have so many notebooks, I can't remember what half of them are filled with, so I actually don't touch most of them besides the one I keep in my purse. (Which is usually for "general" note taking, like things I'm supposed to talk to my doctor about because I always forget something. I also have like six different lists of things I need for tanks too. :hilarious Excel is just easier for me to use. I may move it over to a Google spreadsheet, or whatever it's called, so that people on here can view it.

Right? I'm probably going to be doing that more than once, I'm so forgetful sometimes.

And, not sure if I said it before, but unless someone corrects you/us, I'll just go with what you suggested for what goes in the tank first list. I'm evening stealing your acclimation bucket idea! (Need a bigger bucket though. Don't think the 6 gallon one I have is going to be big enough for 14 tetras and 10 cories.) EDIT Or maybe, I'll put them in two different buckets, put the cories in first, and then slowly add the tetras.

 

I love this app, Aquarium Note, for logging all my tank stuff:

It's for Android phones. They may have an iPhone version too but I haven't checked.

It's also FREE

 

I use aquarimate... love it

As for the cycling, I wouldn't cycle with above 4ppm... even that's high... you risk your cycle stalling out with such high numbers.
A better wat to do it would be to only dose to the traditional 2ppm ammonia, and then when the tank is cycled, start dosing three, then four, then five. Should only,add an extra week or two....

 

As far as your stocking, I would go with warmer water cories and pleco or switch the pearl gouramis for honey gouramis. Pearls prefer warmer water than the panda cories, and the BN doesn't have much overlap with the either.

 

As for the cycling, I wouldn't cycle with above 4ppm... even that's high... you risk your cycle stalling out with such high numbers.
A better wat to do it would be to only dose to the traditional 2ppm ammonia, and then when the tank is cycled, start dosing three, then four, then five. Should only,add an extra week or two....

Okay! Since it's already at 4 I'll wait till it drops, and then slowly build back up to 4 ppm. The extra week should be fine.

As far as your stocking, I would go with warmer water cories and pleco or switch the pearl gouramis for honey gouramis. Pearls prefer warmer water than the panda cories, and the BN doesn't have much overlap with the either.

I was thinking we'd have to switch to honey gouramis, which is fine. Three good, or should I up their number to five? I plan on keeping the tank at 76 degrees (after cycling is over, right now it's at 83.) Do you have a suggestion for another cory, or would it still thrive at 76?

 

Can you lower to 75 F? That would be fine for all involved. I would start with 3 honeys, and add more later on if you think there's room.

 

Yeah, shouldn't be a problem! Thanks!

 

Just tested water parameters. Here's what I got:

pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 2.00 ppm
Nitrite: .50 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm

My last tank didn't get to this phase as quickly, but this tank also has the substrate, luffy balls, filter, and driftwood that was in it... so that's probably why it's already got some nitrites. I added three drops of ammonia chloride to build the bacteria back up. New ammonia reading is... 3.00 ppm, probably. (It's a little darker than 2.00, but enough to be 4.00. Let's go with 3.00.)

I decided for the second filter I'll get another one of the bio corner sponge filters (the one that I have now). I'll put it in the opposite corner with some more Denitrate or maybe I should get something else for my high nitrate tap water? Suggestions?

 

Denitrate won't work well in tank, matrix would be better. Denitrate needs a low oxygen environment like a reactor to work best. I just typed a long reply, along with someone else's info in this post for nitrates
How Do I - Best Plant For High Nitrates?
Also ready this sticky after for further explanations.
Review of Nitrate Reducers
I have lots of nitrate ideas, but with the filtration that you are using instant ocean nitrate reducer dosed directly into tank will likely be your best option. Most are good for a canister or large hob, or as briefly mentioned above a reactor. Tag me with any other questions about it after you read the others.

Also, is your other tank still running? You can add some filter material into this one to help your cycle along....