Jleem's 40 Gallon Breeder

Hello.

So today I went to the Dollar Per Gallon Sale. I had planned for a 30 gallon standard. They don't stock this size. Long story short, I got a 40 gallon breeder.

I plan to use Black Diamond Blasting Sand, a clear glass top, and a 36" Beamswork light.

What kind/size heater and filter should I look into? So far I've dealt with Aquaclear HOB filters.

Also, on stocking for a 30 I had planned
1 Pearl Gourami
8 Panda Cories
8 Black Skirt Tetras
8 Middle Schooler (neons, cherry barbs, black neons, etc.)
1 Bristlenose Pleco
2 Bolivian Rams
Various Snails
Shrimp (probably Ghost maybe Amano or Cherry of some color)

How could I change this stocking in a 40 breeder, or what could I add?

Any advice in these areas, or something I may have missed is welcome.

 

I don't believe Pearl Gouramis are temperature compatible.

 

I don't believe Pearl Gouramis are temperature compatible.

Been told they can be at 75. That's all I know.

 

Been told they can be at 75. That's all I know.

That may be correct. Some say higher, others say as low as 73. I believe their ideal is higher though.

 

Another question I have about this tank, which I believe AngelTheGypsy forewarned me about is about bracing on this tank. Why does a 40 breeder (36"l, 18"w, 16"h) not have a brace across the top, but a 38 (36"l, 12"w, 19"h) has two braces? I have a theory, but don't know if it's correct. There's only 2 gallons of volume difference between the two tanks. However, the 38 is taller than it is wide, and a tad taller than half of it's length. This makes the water pile up more, I'd imagine putting more force on the taller sides? In the 40 breeder, it's more box shaped. This makes it more proportional all the way around. Thus the water has more room to spread it's force and weight out instead of up and directly against the glass. Did I get it right? Should I try to add a brace to my 40B, especially since I'm wanting to use a glass lid?

 

I haven't noticed any issues with mine, it's been filled for a month or two now.
I think your idea of the height compared to the length and width is probably the difference. Since it's not as tall, it doesn't have as much outward force at the top.

 

Anybody have any suggestions on heater, filtration, and/or stocking?

 

In mine I use an aqueon 150 watt, and a penn plax cascade 700 canister.
In the 40 I think you could do 2 pearls, but they are warmer water fish, so I would do adolfI cories (I think they look similar to pandas) diamond tetra, cardinals, and GBR with them. The cherry barbs or black neons would still work. There are also other cories and schooling fish that would work as well. But if I remember correctly you already have the pandas and a few of the others right?

 

In mine I use an aqueon 150 watt, and a penn plax cascade 700 canister.
In the 40 I think you could do 2 pearls, but they are warmer water fish, so I would do adolfI cories (I think they look similar to pandas) diamond tetra, cardinals, and GBR with them. The cherry barbs or black neons would still work. There are also other cories and schooling fish that would work as well. But if I remember correctly you already have the pandas and a few of the others right?

I have pandas that will be transferred.

 

That may be correct. Some say higher, others say as low as 73. I believe their ideal is higher though.

What would you say their ideal is?

 

On my 40b I have a sunsun 304b, plus two ac70s... one I keep for cycled media, was a spare I removed from another tank. However, I will say that using them gives me great flow for my heavily planted tank....

 

Height and glass thickness determine the need for bracing. Most 40Bs Ive owned use much thicker glass than 30longs/38s/etc.

I run a SunSun 302 and a Whisper 40 on my planted 40B, and a Aqueon 75 HOB with a Penguin 350 on my grow out 40B.

All of the fish in your list would be fine at a 76-77*F Temp. It is at the lower end for Pearls and higher end for Pandas....but certainly acceptable ranges.

 

Just an update and future plans.

Trying to figure out how to arrange everything in the spare bedroom to include the 40B (when it's finally set up; just an empty tank on the floor for now), the 10 gallon with it's little shelf (future quarantine), a fouton, a Total Gym, and a desk. Figuring out just how little this room is. Lol.

On a plus note, also thinking about what kind of decor I want for the 40B. I've been seeing some really interesting hardscape pieces. Additionally, they're getting my girlfriend more interested in the tanks now too. So far, we've had very opposing fish stocking and decorating ideas. She informed me she wants to decorate a tank on her own. I've decided to let her decorate the betta tank (20L that will be staying in the living room where she can see and enjoy it). This delighted her because the original betta that started this whole hobby was for her. She's wanting to start with some purple artificial geode ornaments we saw, add other colors , add other whatnots, and create a "precious gem" tank with a betta, harlequin rasboras, sterbaI cories (still have to convince this is the best option), and her favorite snails.

Can't wait to get it all going.

 

Got a 40b at the sale also, can't wait to see your build.

 

Got a 40b at the sale also, can't wait to see your build.

Can't wait to see yours as well. I saw your thread about the leak in the 75. That sucks. At least it sounds like it can be fixed though.

 

I have a 55gal I resealed also, just sucks to have to tear it down and start over.

 

Hello everybody.

Been thinking about this stocking again, and want to run some numbers by just for the bottom range. Would any of the following work?

12 Panda Cory
3 Bolivian Rams
1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco
3 Mystery Snails
5 Nerite Snails

10 Panda Cory
3 Bolivian Rams
1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco
5 Striped KhulI Loaches
3 Mystery Snails
5 Nerite Snails

 

Both of those setups look very bottom heavy to me. I am pretty new and inexperienced, so that observation could be off.

I think tanks with large shoals of a single fish look better than multiple smaller shoals of different fish. I would go with door #1 because of this, that is assuming that the stocking isn't unbalanced.

 

I agree your stocking is all bottom. I wouldn't do more than 10 cory in this tank, mostly personal preference, and I wouldn't do cories and kuhlis both. I would add some honey gourami and a school of mid dwelling fish.

2-3 honey gourami
10-12 small schoolers -or- 6-8 larger schoolers
3 Bolivian rams
8-10 panda cories
1 albino bn pleco
Snails

There are tons of schooling fish to choose from, like danios for smaller or skirt tetra for larger. Both have several colors available that are the same species so you could have variety in the school as well.

 

Maybe mollies or platies

 

I agree your stocking is all bottom. I wouldn't do more than 10 cory in this tank, mostly personal preference, and I wouldn't do cories and kuhlis both. I would add some honey gourami and a school of mid dwelling fish.

2-3 honey gourami
10-12 small schoolers -or- 6-8 larger schoolers
3 Bolivian rams
8-10 panda cories
1 albino bn pleco
Snails

There are tons of schooling fish to choose from, like danios for smaller or skirt tetra for larger. Both have several colors available that are the same species so you could have variety in the school as well.

What I listed was just for the bottom range. If I only did 2 Bolivian Rams could I increase my cories? Or should I do a trio of rams (heard they do better that way)? I'm also not completely sold on the BN pleco yet.

 

Maybe mollies or platies

I don't really care for platies too much. I do like mollies, but it seems they're harder to keep in check and have with other fish.

 

What I listed was just for the bottom range. If I only did 2 Bolivian Rams could I increase my cories? Or should I do a trio of rams (heard they do better that way)? I'm also not completely sold on the BN pleco yet.

Ok, that makes more sense .

You could probably do 12 cories, but once I got my 10 in my 38 gal, and one is full grown, I wanted them to have more space. So that's a personal preference. My big one is as long as my palm. My little ones are barely an in long plus tails. I plan to upgrade them to a 75 and probably won't add more.

I have GBR instead of Bolivian, but I've been told that trios are better and I've been told pairs are better. I only have one.

 

Okay, been thinking about stocking list for the 40B a lot. Let it be known I like full tanks. I also don't mind water changes as of yet. Could I do

2 Pearl Gouramis (m/f or f/f)
6 Black Skirt Tetras
8-10 Cherry Barbs or Zebra Danios
10 Panda Cories
3 Bolivian Rams (hopefully m/f/f or f/f/f)
3-4 Mystery Snails
4-5 Nerite Snails
Some Ghost Shrimp
Maybe 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco

If I have to back down some, first to go will be the pleco. Then the second Gourami and third Ram.

 

I think that would be okay, but stock slowly (of course). Do your favorites first, and fill one school before you start the other, just to make sure you want to keep adding.

 

I think that would be okay, but stock slowly (of course). Do your favorites first, and fill one school before you start the other, just to make sure you want to keep adding.

Thank you! Hopefully I'll have 6-8 pandas by the time it's set up. I'll definitely go slowly though. Quarantine will help with that too I'm figuring.

 

I say to go slowly to keep the cycle stable, but also as you add fish your opinion may change. I had originally planned two schools, but after filling the first one I was happy with it and didn't want to add another. At least until I get a bigger tank...

 

I say to go slowly to keep the cycle stable, but also as you add fish your opinion may change. I had originally planned two schools, but after filling the first one I was happy with it and didn't want to add another. At least until I get a bigger tank...

Well I originally wanted like 8-10 black skirts, but they get pretty big. I really want two schools. So cut down to 6. Of course when it really happens, that idea might change like you said.

 

New question.

Should I use one or two heaters in this tank? What size in either scenario? Probably will go with the Aqueon Submersible model.

Also still taking filter suggestions. Canister filters still intimidate me because I don't know anything about them really. They're also pretty expensive from what I can tell. If I did gut up enough to try a canister, should I put a HOB with it? I don't really know how much surface agitation a canister provides.

 

New question.

Should I use one or two heaters in this tank? What size in either scenario? Probably will go with the Aqueon Submersible model.

Also still taking filter suggestions. Canister filters still intimidate me because I don't know anything about them really. They're also pretty expensive from what I can tell. If I did gut up enough to try a canister, should I put a HOB with it? I don't really know how much surface agitation a canister provides.

Canister filter if possible , if not it isn't the end of the world since it's a 40b. Canister filter shot for 240gal/h and if it's HOB shot for 400gal/h. If tour worried about surface agitation you can get an air stone.

2 heaters is an option , some like to have two just in case one gives up.

btw are you getting pearl gouramis? because IMO they arnt temp compatible with panda corys or bolivian rams , their lowest temp would be 75f but I wouldn't keep them at that all year long they thrive in warmer temps 80f-82f while panda corys and Bolivians 72f-74f.

 

btw are you getting pearl gouramis? because IMO they arnt temp compatible with panda corys or bolivian rams , their lowest temp would be 75f but I wouldn't keep them at that all year long they thrive in warmer temps 80f-82f while panda and Bolivians 72f-74f.

Planning on it at this point. I've talked to different people that say it will be okay. They've had great success keeping them around 75F. Plans may change though. I literally only have the tank so far.

 

I definitely vote canister. I was intimidated by them at first too, but I'll never go back! I sue a spray bar with mine and they provide plenty of surface agitation. In my 38 I also run a bubble bar.
I have a single 150w aqueon heater in my 40B.

 

I definitely vote canister. I was intimidated by them at first too, but I'll never go back! I sue a spray bar with mine and they provide plenty of surface agitation. In my 38 I also run a bubble bar.
I have a single 150w aqueon heater in my 40B.

What model and size canister do you run?

 

I have 2 penn plax cascade 700s, one on my 38 and one on the 40. Haven't had them long but no issues.

 

I have 2 penn plax cascade 700s, one on my 38 and one on the 40. Haven't had them long but no issues.

Is the 185 gph rating enough for a 40B? I've had it suggested to shoot for 240 gph, but the nearest to that is rated for a 100 gallon tank. Besides this it looks really nice. About $70 on Amazon, $20 more than an Aquaclear 70 HOB.

 

I haven't noticed any problems. By the time I account for all the decor in my tank I probably have closer to 30 gallons than 40 in the breeder. But the cascade 1000 would put you over that threshold. My 40 is currently cycled to 6 ppm (still no fish)

 

I haven't noticed any problems. By the time I account for all the decor in my tank I probably have closer to 30 gallons than 40 in the breeder. But the cascade 1000 would put you over that threshold. My 40 is currently cycled to 6 ppm (still no fish)

You'll get there! This is what my 40B still looks like. Lol.



Thank you though. Definitely will keep this filter in mind. I've also heard that Fluval canisters are hard to deal with. Have you heard or witnessed this?

 

The only canisters I've had are the penn plax. I've heard they are considered cheap, but I haven't had bad luck with them.
My tank is all set, but I have changed my direction so I'm in waiting mode. After losing so many in shipment, I just haven't gotten more. I'll be going on our last summer vacation next week then I'll be getting things going!
I haven't revealed my plan yet...

 

The only canisters I've had are the penn plax. I've heard they are considered cheap, but I haven't had bad luck with them.
My tank is all set, but I have changed my direction so I'm in waiting mode. After losing so many in shipment, I just haven't gotten more. I'll be going on our last summer vacation next week then I'll be getting things going!
I haven't revealed my plan yet...

Can't wait to see it.

 

Hello again everybody.

Question this time is about lighting. Originally I had planned to go with a Beamswork. I've recently discovered that some of the Finnex lights on Amazon aren't much more.

I'm just now getting into easy low light and tech plants in my 20 gallon. I'll more than likely continue this trend for a while in the 40. So which light should I get? Will the Beamswork light reach the bottom of a 16" tall tank? Will the Finnex be too bright for easy plants?

Any advice or other suggestions are welcome.