It Begins! The 40 Gallon Move.

I am transferring my unfortunately cramped guppies and marbled crayfish and planting a 40 gallon tank.

Some eight or nine years ago, my first Journeyman gave me his old dismantled 40 gallon tank with a fluval 205, heater, automatic feeder, etc.

Two weeks ago, I resealed it.

Over the past three weeks, I have made multiple stops to Big Al's to get some Java fern and new media.

For the winter, I have been cultivating a small jar of java moss and bladder snails. (I cannot do it in my established tank as the crayfish eat them both with abandon.)

Today I went to home depot, bought some gravel, spent the afternoon sifting to get the larger pieces, rinsed it, and filled the beast to around 90-95%.

I filled it, added dechlorinator and fired up the filter. It worked; priming pump and all!

I boiled the old ceramic filter media, (to start fresh) and added a carbon sponge to hopefully catch any trace nastiness from the process. I did a small water change in the old tank and threw both the tank water and the filtered crud from the sponges, as well as the last of my crappy old established filter media, into the tank.

My plan to aid in cycling and prepping the tank is to go a small water change (maybe a gallon at a time) from the old tank into the new one. (Which is why I left some space.)

I threw in a small moss raft I have been cultivating for the past month to see if the conditions are alright for the other plants. If I get any new growth or die off in the next week or so, then I will try another raft.

My goal is to start moving fish in over the next 2-3 weeks a bit at a time. That way I can (hopefully) do a little aquascaping as I go as well.

For now, here is a picture of the blank canvas.

Feedback, conversation, and help would be appreciated. I am documenting this process here, just in case there is someone else who might be going through the same thing or starting a new tank of their own.

 

Nice tank
What is the stocking you have in mind ?

 

Moving my fancy guppies and marbled crayfish in. I would LOVE to get some Rivulus HartiI killifish, but have fun finding those in Canada, apparently.

 

Added plants today!

I 3d printed some shrimp rafts I found on thingiverse in PLA with no dye. Glued java moss to the three on the right and weeping moss on the three to the left.

Lighting is a Nicrew LED I found on Amazon, for like, 50 bucks.

Threw in the Java fern and got a pleasant surpise. There was a a micro plant with three leaves! I put the new bud in the old container I was keeping the big bunch in to let it grow out and put the fern straight on the gravel. I'm sure it will stick to something until I gind something bigger and better.

I want to move in my Java Fern Windelov, but one of the crayfish has made it home now, and I am not sure about the conditions for her just yet. I ordered a test kit today and should get it late next week, but I might add a guppy or two before then.

Almost added plant food today, but then remembered I put in a carbon pad, so there's no point. If there is growth over the next few days, I shall be most pleased.

 

Tossed in a java fern windelov and some broken Algae wafers.

When I bought the wafers the label said "will not make water cloudy" but they always did, so I figured they would do a good job of getting a jump start on bacteria as well. They are kinda of gross and I think I will fish out the little white blobs they have become on the bottom,

Moss rafts have started to grow already, and ferns have perked up. It has only been a week. Water has taken on a VERY faint green hue. I can only tell because the wall behind it is white. Things seem to be going well.

 

Move is more or less complete. I bought some granite cichlid caves for the Marbled Crays, and added half the fish population.

Some of the guppies have some pretty roughed up tails, but I am certain they will heal. The moss rafts I have printed out are growing full tilt now, but my java fern windelov seems to be having a harder time. I also busted Krusty 2 Jr. picking at it. I am hoping she is only eating detritus and dead leaves.

Everything seems to be adjusting well. No casualties over the bast 48 hours of latest addition, and Krusty 2 molted successfully within hours of being moved over. She seems relaxed and unperturbed.

I put an old nylon stocking over the filter intake, but it is having clear detrimental impact on my water flow. I will have to get an intake sponge instead.

 

Move is more or less complete. I bought some granite cichlid caves for the Marbled Crays, and added half the fish population.

Some of the guppies have some pretty roughed up tails, but I am certain they will heal. The moss rafts I have printed out are growing full tilt now, but my java fern windelov seems to be having a harder time. I also busted Krusty 2 Jr. picking at it. I am hoping she is only eating detritus and dead leaves.

Everything seems to be adjusting well. No casualties over the bast 48 hours of latest addition, and Krusty 2 molted successfully within hours of being moved over. She seems relaxed and unperturbed.

I put an old nylon stocking over the filter intake, but it is having clear detrimental impact on my water flow. I will have to get an intake sponge instead.

Now this I really like! I just bought a used 40 long from my petshop. It held water for 48 hours. Still trying to decide whether to reseal it or not. I too have too many guppies in a 29. I want a planted tank but have been going back and forth on the substrate. I’m more comfortable with gravel and greatly appreciate your pictures! I do want some Cory cats. Going to try to separate male from female guppies. Unless I can find someone to eat the fry. () thank you for your progress reports! Please keep it up.

 

Now this I really like! I just bought a used 40 long from my petshop. It held water for 48 hours. Still trying to decide whether to reseal it or not. I too have too many guppies in a 29. I want a planted tank but have been going back and forth on the substrate. I’m more comfortable with gravel and greatly appreciate your pictures! I do want some Cory cats. Going to try to separate male from female guppies. Unless I can find someone to eat the fry. () thank you for your progress reports! Please keep it up.

Thank you!


If I didn't have Crays, I'd have Corys. Or loaches. Guppies will eat their own fry given the opportunity, but in my experience enough still live to
cause issues. Hence the crayfish. My marbled crays are very docile and friendly as far as crayfish go, so my animal casualties are very light. Too light, more often than not. Cory's might fare better at catching fry.

I tend to like low tech plants that don't need substrate. Things that can float or be stuck to something are my favorites. In time I might establish a "real" planted tank, but not any time soon. And not with the locusts. I mean crayfish.

One picks at the roots of the java fern Windelov, but leaves the regular java fern alone. One eats the leaves on the regular java fern, but leaves the Windelov alone. One sits in a cave and feeds half of it's meals to the guppies. (It is pretty normal to watch her eat, then drop the food directly underneath herself and just hang out in a cloud of guppies, making no attempt to even try to chase/catch them)

 

Thank you!


If I didn't have Crays, I'd have Corys. Or loaches. Guppies will eat their own fry given the opportunity, but in my experience enough still live to
cause issues. Hence the crayfish. My marbled crays are very docile and friendly as far as crayfish go, so my animal casualties are very light. Too light, more often than not. Cory's might fare better at catching fry.

I tend to like low tech plants that don't need substrate. Things that can float or be stuck to something are my favorites. In time I might establish a "real" planted tank, but not any time soon. And not with the locusts. I mean crayfish.

One picks at the roots of the java fern Windelov, but leaves the regular java fern alone. One eats the leaves on the regular java fern, but leaves the Windelov alone. One sits in a cave and feeds half of it's meals to the guppies. (It is pretty normal to watch her eat, then drop the food directly underneath herself and just hang out in a cloud of guppies, making no attempt to even try to chase/catch them)

Lol. I hadn’t even considered crayfish. And my guppies have evidently forgotten they’re cannibals. Gave my danios to a “friend” because he said he had a huge tank and the 29 seemed too small for their energy. Went over to check and he’d thrown them into an unfinished bog pond! Then didn’t feed them! I managed to catch one. Broke my wrist going over to try to catch the others. But while the danio was gone the guppies DID multiply.
I’m like you. I don’t really want potted plants. Just some green happy things. I’ve got a lot of experience with pond plants. I know some of them are also used in aquariums. The most popular are incredibly invasive.
I truly love your tank. Hope you don’t mind if I kinda copy it. The ideas anyway. Have to find something for the little shelves. Love love them!

What kind of filter are you using? Canister? Sorry. Just went back to the original post. Found the fluval 205. Duh me! So excited to see gravel with plants!

 

Do what you want! It's not like it's copyrighted or anything. My tank will always be MY tank because it is in my house. If you want little shelves I can probably make and mail you some if you'd like, unless you know someone there with a 3d printer. PLA is alright for freshwater tanks, and suction cups are cheap.

That's why when people ask "can I have a crayfish?" I say "not until I see your set up and know more about you" just in case someone does something like toss them in a pond.

Weeds and desirable plants only differ in abundance. I was surprised that water sprite, duckweed, and hornwort were things people actually looked for. I was thinking of sticking hornwort to some rocks actually, but settled in java fern as it seemed less likely to get eaten (I was wrong), and I might be able to offload some clippings to friends to make a little side cash for fish food.

I am using an old Fluval 205 canister, just because of my disgustingly resilient and ever growing bioload. I wanted a current that would move water relatively quickly and cause ripples to help with gas exchange. If it was a tamer tank, I would have likely gone with a sponge filter. A million cheaper, and if you don't have crayfish pecking at it it is super easy to maintain and clean. You can find ways to screen it or integrate it into a tank design as well.

I plan on getting a medium to large intake sponge, so I can at least reap SOME of the benefits of having a sponge filter, and as a back up source of bacteria in case of power outages or something.

 

Do what you want! It's not like it's copyrighted or anything. My tank will always be MY tank because it is in my house. If you want little shelves I can probably make and mail you some if you'd like, unless you know someone there with a 3d printer. PLA is alright for freshwater tanks, and suction cups are cheap.

That's why when people ask "can I have a crayfish?" I say "not until I see your set up and know more about you" just in case someone does something like toss them in a pond.

Weeds and desirable plants only differ in abundance. I was surprised that water sprite, duckweed, and hornwort were things people actually looked for. I was thinking of sticking hornwort to some rocks actually, but settled in java fern as it seemed less likely to get eaten (I was wrong), and I might be able to offload some clippings to friends to make a little side cash for fish food.

Thanks! And I don’t know anyone with a 3D printer. Lots of cricut and embroidery. Joy.
Hornwort is wonderful in my frog pond. Goldfish ate it in the fish pond. It melted in my aquarium. That was before it was cycled. Mistakes happen. I wasn’t home at the time.
I did go check out my friends tank. Had a 55 with just a few fish in it. Turns out he wanted the danios to help cycle his bog pond. His main pond is 20x35. 2 1/2 ft deep. So far has 76 various koi. Some as big as 3ft. Getting more. Won’t listen. Doesn’t even have his filter system hooked up yet.
Sorry. Frustrating.

I love the little shelves with the fern and moss. Totally cool!

I am using an old Fluval 205 canister, just because of my disgustingly resilient and ever growing bioload. I wanted a current that would move water relatively quickly and cause ripples to help with gas exchange. If it was a tamer tank, I would have likely gone with a sponge filter. A million cheaper, and if you don't have crayfish pecking at it it is super easy to maintain and clean. You can find ways to screen it or integrate it into a tank design as well.

I plan on getting a medium to large intake sponge, so I can at least reap SOME of the benefits of having a sponge filter, and as a back up source of bacteria in case of power outages or something.

I have a sponge filter I’m going to put in my 29 to get it started. I plan on starting the cleanup on my 40L tomorrow. Then to clean the gravel. Patience is a virtue. I no have. Trying though! Ty!

 

You live in places with bogs and rain too though, yes? Carp in general are durable like rocks. Odds are the koi are already breeding too. There is a japanese garden not to far from where I live, and the koi there had babies. little brown carplings zipping around everywhere.

There's a nice pond there with frogs and salamanders as well. It is so cool seeing them grow over the summer. Like Axlotls everywhere.



Ditto on the patience thing, but the tanks help. They remind me that hours, minutes and seconds don't really exist. The plants and animals grow in their own time at their own pace and there's no changing that. It's peaceful. Even when Krusty shenanigans.

 

You live in places with bogs and rain too though, yes? Carp in general are durable like rocks. Odds are the koi are already breeding too. There is a japanese garden not to far from where I live, and the koi there had babies. little brown carplings zipping around everywhere.

There's a nice pond there with frogs and salamanders as well. It is so cool seeing them grow over the summer. Like Axlotls everywhere.

You are awesome! And yes we have boggy areas, swampy areas etc. Actually there is a pond being drained soon that is full of goldfish. The property owner has gotten some people to agree to take some. Talk about breeding!
Why it’s never a good idea to put unwanted pets into the wild.
Oh! I had my first known newt this year! Sweet! Hope it stays in the frog pond area. My Goldie’s pulled a full grown bullfrog under. It got out of there in hurry.

Ditto on the patience thing, but the tanks help. They remind me that hours, minutes and seconds don't really exist. The plants and animals grow in their own time at their own pace and there's no changing that. It's peaceful. Even when Krusty shenanigans.

Peaceful is right. I love that some of the fish know their names. Stinky Pinky comes when I call him. Red albino cobra guppy. He made some pretty babies! Patience is a virtue. Maybe if I say it enough, I’ll believe it!

Tried the email. No recipient. Well, it was sweet of you to offer anyway. Remember to post new pics. I’m hearing java moss grows very fast!

 

Update! Unwanted tenant!

Yesterday I notices some tiny hair like wisps on my java moss, and some small patches of light brown algae forming on the glass. As these came from a culture from the Apocalypse 10 Gallon, that is not too surprising. However, it IS annoying. I am going to try a bleach or H2O2 dip in the next day or to on the moss rafts, and see how that works. I have turned off the LED's for the time being, as perhaps too much light might be contributing to it and am thinking of a water change as well. Unless people know what it is and what might eat it. I MAY try to introduce bladder snails into Krusty Caverns (my name for this tank) but am not sure than they would survive for any appreciable length of time with the girls.

 

Update! Unwanted tenant!

Yesterday I notices some tiny hair like wisps on my java moss, and some small patches of light brown algae forming on the glass. As these came from a culture from the Apocalypse 10 Gallon, that is not too surprising. However, it IS annoying. I am going to try a bleach or H2O2 dip in the next day or to on the moss rafts, and see how that works. I have turned off the LED's for the time being, as perhaps too much light might be contributing to it and am thinking of a water change as well. Unless people know what it is and what might eat it. I MAY try to introduce bladder snails into Krusty Caverns (my name for this tank) but am not sure than they would survive for any appreciable length of time with the girls.

How are your parameters?
You’ve got the same problem with your girls I have with my pond Goldies. Trying to find algae eater that won’t be eaten! First year having a problem. They discovered snails are a might tasty last fall. Not a snail tobe found.

 

The girls have been observed using tools, advanced problem solving, and observation. Krusty 2 was eating the regular java fern, climbed it and notice the java moss rafts. This morning the missus said she spent breakfast watching Krusty 2 as she pulled the Java fern over by the base, and then climbed it and used it as a ladder to get to one of the rafts. Krusty 2 Jr watched her do this, and I caught her moving the fern, again by the base, into a new position to get to a different moss raft. I am thinking I should set up a camera to record their tank, just to see what they are actually up to.

 

The girls have been observed using tools, advanced problem solving, and observation. Krusty 2 was eating the regular java fern, climbed it and notice the java moss rafts. This morning the missus said she spent breakfast watching Krusty 2 as she pulled the Java fern over by the base, and then climbed it and used it as a ladder to get to one of the rafts. Krusty 2 Jr watched her do this, and I caught her moving the fern, again by the base, into a new position to get to a different moss raft. I am thinking I should set up a camera to record their tank, just to see what they are actually up to.

Lol. Sounds perfect! All animals have their “things” but who knew how smart a crayfish could be! Do the video! Oh how fascinating! I’m leaning more and more to little Krusties of my own. Corycats are cute but you have to watch their little whiskers so carefully.

BTW, have I mentioned I’m loving your tank? I know I did. Lol. Exactly what I was dreaming of. Got my forty cleaned out n ready to decide reseal or just go with it. Decisions decisions.

 

How old is it and how was it stored? I can't imagine resealing it could hurt other than taking an extra week to set up. That just gives you more time to plan out what and how you want things!

There are some things I might have done a little differently. I set this up in anticipation of having to tear it down, so I might have used more of the gravel instead of just sifting out the big stuff. Or sand. or both. Also I couldn't find any of the round tumbled pebbles so it is mostly chips and odd shapes. I was worried about the fish and crays blending in too much, but they all ended up getting some good colour going. The algae wafers blend right in though, and any uneaten food has some gaps to fall into. The crays actually root around in the gravel, but I doubt they will impact a huge amount on the stuff that falls in. I want to add bladder snails back in, but am afraid they will not survive the crays or the filter. I really want to add a small clean up crew but I am not sure I could establish a population with the girls being themselves.

I am terrified of shrimp. I am afraid that they will eat my crays after they molt. If it weren't for that fear, I think they'd do alright. But then I also think about the population problems I am anticipating, and how much worse it could get...

 

I understand. I’m not enthusiastic about shrimp. Extremely allergic. Probably won’t go there.
The tank is probably ten yrs? Maybe older. He bought acrylic tanks to replace all the glass ones. That’s been about a year ago. But it could be as much as 20 yrs old. I know he resealed it at least once. I do have one concern. Look at these pics for me. Everyone tells me a little glass glue will be fine. I can’t tell by feel how far through the pane the chips go.

 

It it is 10 years or older or has been stored outside, a reseal is a good idea. As for the chips, they are in inconvenient locations. I haven't had to deal with many leaking corners, but I seem to recall you saying you tested it to see if it held water, yes? Maybe try the glass glue first and then reseal it after that has set. it there are any issues they will show up in the water test after. The silicone seal between the glass panes seems clear, so your actual structure should be alright. The picture which makes me go hmm is the top right corner one. The seam below the chips seems fine, but above it looks like it has come under stress. If you see milky white or bubbles in the places where the panes are glued together that can be an issue, but usually only if it is for 50% of the tank. A reseal might take care of that, if it only in one specific area, but I'd keep an eye on it.

 

Ok. Have a problem. LFS guy called me. He has a seventy five I can have. I want. But 75 is a LOT of water. Advice?

 

It it is 10 years or older or has been stored outside, a reseal is a good idea. As for the chips, they are in inconvenient locations. I haven't had to deal with many leaking corners, but I seem to recall you saying you tested it to see if it held water, yes? Maybe try the glass glue first and then reseal it after that has set. it there are any issues they will show up in the water test after. The silicone seal between the glass panes seems clear, so your actual structure should be alright. The picture which makes me go hmm is the top right corner one. The seam below the chips seems fine, but above it looks like it has come under stress. If you see milky white or bubbles in the places where the panes are glued together that can be an issue, but usually only if it is for 50% of the tank. A reseal might take care of that, if it only in one specific area, but I'd keep an eye on it.

Yeah my concern is this break. It doesn’t feel like just your average oyster. It feels like the glass is broken in more than one place and I’d hate to be sitting on the couch one night and hear this ominous craaaack behind me. Tell me what you see. Thanks.

 

If you can go for the 75 and you want it, do it. You can always use the 40 as a sump, so you could add a reinforcement on the inside and/or outside of that corner and seal it and not worry about it looking bad, as it will not be a display tank. I went canister instead of sump because I had one, and I want my future sump to be a refugium and plant/snail/shrimp farm for the main tank. Krusty proofing my edible bio-load, as it were.

 

If you can go for the 75 and you want it, do it. You can always use the 40 as a sump, so you could add a reinforcement on the inside and/or outside of that corner and seal it and not worry about it looking bad, as it will not be a display tank. I went canister instead of sump because I had one, and I want my future sump to be a refugium and plant/snail/shrimp farm for the main tank. Krusty proofing my edible bio-load, as it were.

Poor Krusty! I think I love them all. Ingenious critters aren’t they?

I’m thinking on the tank. I’m working on the pond. Finally got my outlets hooked up. 5-10 minute job took me three days. Then, my lights are defective. Not weatherproof at all much less submersible.

Thank you for the patient advice. Much appreciated!

 

Been a loooong time but here are more updates!

Krusty 3 batch is out! there are 4 of them that I have seen and they have been doing a number on my plants. I had a BBA issue for awhile, but used Hydrogen Peroxide dip on the Windelov and Regular Fern, and it cleared up a lot. My weeping moss rafts were destroyed by Krusty 2, who figured out how to swim up with her tail flip, after I moved the plants she was previously using as a ladder. she molted and got bigger, and stopped that.

My tank is near a north facing window, so the indirect sunlight on one side of the tank was causing a significant difference in plant growth, with the north side of the tank going wild, but the middle and south not doing so well. With all my plants except for the Java Moss having a rough time, I decided to raft everything, and stick them all on the corner and wall nearest the window, and add a DIY CO2 feed at 1 bubble every 4-10 seconds to hopefully stimulate growth. I might have to black out that one side so the light hits everything evenly.

The CO2 Diffuser does not seem to be working, so I might remove it altogether and set the bubbles up to go into the filter intake.

I am also thinking I might want to re-home the guppies and get something a little larger and less... plentiful. The Marbled Crays are ridiculously docile (for crayfish) and I have had no fish casualties since the move at all. The plants are the hardest part, I am finding.

 

Almost forgot. When the BBA was in decline and the green algae started to overtake everything I added about 2-300 bladder snails to hopefully establish a population. they lasted a week before the Krusty Krew caught on to their presence, I saw a batch of eggs under the driftwood piece, but not a snail to be seen anywhere in the tank, or shells to speak of.

 

Can’t blame Krusty if you didn’t catch them in the act. Just sayin. Poor snails. And now hubby wants a Krusty of his own. Told him to move out to his workshop. Lol.
And I don’t understand folks saying they have to have breeder tanks and boxes to save guppy fry. Mine are plentiful again too!

 

I have some guppies I would and might breed. They ended up with a crazy mix that have tails that look like they are on fire with metallic blue bodies. look like little burning rockets or planes.

 

I would love!

 

Krusty 3 ate the male that I had intended to separate and breed. (>.<)

 

Krusty 3 ate the male that I had intended to separate and breed. (>.<)

Krusty 3 is never full it seems. I’m sorry. I know you had beautiful fry in mind.