Jleem's 40 Gallon Breeder

Unlocked per request

 

Thank you Lucy.

So it's obviously been a while.

I've been working on getting all new plants for a while. Today I finished a new plant out. I've got vesuvius swords, rosette swords, red tiger lotus, anubias nana, dwarf sagittaria subulata, ludwigia super red mini, crypt wendtii brown and red, and a marble queen radican sword that I hope fills in the back left corner.




I also got a new timer for the light that's much more high tech than the little cheap one from Wal-Mart. It doubles as a dimmer. You can also program it to ramp the lights up and down to set percentages at the begging and end of multiple photoperiods. I just have to get it programmed. Hoping to do that tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure my stocking has changed a little bit too. Living in here now is...

1 electric blue acara
4 bolivian rams (2 male 2 female)
8 black skirt tetras
1 standard fin super red BN pleco (F)
1 longfin red marbled BN pleco (M)
23 panda corys
2 tiger nerite snails
2 zebra nerite snails

Thank you to coralbandit for the male bolivians. Ever since I got my first ones, and discovered they were all females, I've had horrid luck finding any males to survive quarantine. I would like to try breeding these at some point.

There's a lot of panda corys due to a small scale breeding project a while back. I would like to get that 23 down to 12-15.

The two plecos mentioned have provided me with a ton of longfin calico fry I need to find homes for.

I think that's all for now. Unfortunately no livestock photos at this time.

 

Nice Start.
I like your stocking for a community.
How about a link to the timer.

Good Luck!

 

Nice Start.
I like your stocking for a community.
How about a link to the timer.

Good Luck!

Here it is. I'm pretty hopeful about it. It especially surprised me how affordable it is. Thinking about ordering a couple more for my 37 and 29 gallons.

amazon

 

Not a whole lot has changed since last update.

I did get some recent pictures of all my adult plecos.

This is the parents of all the longfin calico fry I have right now. They were actually moved to a different tank today. I think it's kind of amusing how huge the female is compared to the male. Especially since she's younger. I'm hoping it's just the difference in one being longfin and the other standard.






The above pair was moved to make room for this new lovely pair in the 40. Once again female is huge compared to male. Definitely age this time though. The female has been here a while. I got her from bizaliz3. The male is a new addition that completed quarantine. I hope to happen into some fry from these two. Not sure if the male is mature yet. Not sure how old my other male was when he first produced a clutch. It was unexpected, and I've constantly had babies ever since.





I even got a picture of them together in the tank!

 

A few small changes in this tank.

The plants are struggling a little. Still tiny bits of algae growing on them here and there. Thinking I may have to switch the vesuvius swords out for ruffle or regular swords since the vesuvius like higher lighting. Also the ludwigia mini super red is not growing as well as it has in the past with the lighting being dimmed.

Also, a while back, I added a real pleco cave that I had stored away since my little lemon male doesn't seem to care for the artificial driftwood cave that my marble male loved. I also replaced the large artificial driftwood with real driftwood.




The problem was yes, he loves the pleco cave. However so does my female that dwarfs him. She stays in it so much she's actually behaving like a male.

So I found an online deal that I decided to participate in. Got SUPER lucky and got 6 new pleco caves of choice for $10! I edited the advertisement out of the photo I had for review purposes. Wasn't sure if it would break forum rules.




After winning these I added some more caves and moved a few things and did some super light pruning.




After doing so, each pleco has their own separate cave now. Strangely though when the lights come on or go off they trade back and forth. Occasionally with lights off they share the original for a bit. Still no eggs though. Not that I'm ready for them.




Also, I don't know if anyone noticed, my anubias are starting to bloom! I have never seen this first hand. I have no idea how or why, but I love it. They remind me of peace lillies.




Of you look really closely in the photo before last you might see a second smaller bloom growing in the clump in front of the driftwood too.

 

A few small changes in this tank.

The plants are struggling a little. Still tiny bits of algae growing on them here and there. Thinking I may have to switch the vesuvius swords out for ruffle or regular swords since the vesuvius like higher lighting. Also the ludwigia mini super red is not growing as well as it has in the past with the lighting being dimmed.

Also, a while back, I added a real pleco cave that I had stored away since my little lemon male doesn't seem to care for the artificial driftwood cave that my marble male loved. I also replaced the large artificial driftwood with real driftwood.

View attachment 702969

The problem was yes, he loves the pleco cave. However so does my female that dwarfs him. She stays in it so much she's actually behaving like a male.

So I found an online deal that I decided to participate in. Got SUPER lucky and got 6 new pleco caves of choice for $10! I edited the advertisement out of the photo I had for review purposes. Wasn't sure if it would break forum rules.

View attachment 702972

After winning these I added some more caves and moved a few things and did some super light pruning.

View attachment 702963

After doing so, each pleco has their own separate cave now. Strangely though when the lights come on or go off they trade back and forth. Occasionally with lights off they share the original for a bit. Still no eggs though. Not that I'm ready for them.

View attachment 702965

Also, I don't know if anyone noticed, my anubias are starting to bloom! I have never seen this first hand. I have no idea how or why, but I love it. They remind me of peace lillies.

View attachment 702966

Of you look really closely in the photo before last you might see a second smaller bloom growing in the clump in front of the driftwood too.

If you bring the blooms to the surface you can pollinate the older with the younger bloom (the female part of the flower opens later so it cannot self pollinate, but the younger bloom will have the male part open when the older bloom has the female part blooming). You'll want to make sure there is a lot of humidity going on above the water surface because blooming underwater makes the bloom softer.

 

Looking great! Very nice plecos and tank.

 

If you bring the blooms to the surface you can pollinate the older with the younger bloom (the female part of the flower opens later so it cannot self pollinate, but the younger bloom will have the male part open when the older bloom has the female part blooming). You'll want to make sure there is a lot of humidity going on above the water surface because blooming underwater makes the bloom softer.

How would I go about bringing them to the surface?

 

How would I go about bringing them to the surface?

If they are attached to something it makes it harder, you have to take the whole plant up so the flowers go above water (without getting all the leaves out, if it isn't humid the leaves will crisp). For pollinating you need a fine paint brush to rub against the two parts.

 

One tip for multiple plecos in a tank is to have at least 1 more cave than plecos. I found this reduces aggression.

 

One tip for multiple plecos in a tank is to have at least 1 more cave than plecos. I found this reduces aggression.

They don't really seem aggressive towards each other though. Unless I'm misinterpreting. There's now 4 caves though, and a total of 3 plecos. One is a juvie though.

 

I've been recently thinking about upgrading my Beamswork DA 6500k to a Fuval Planted 3.0. Does anyone have any advice or pointers on this? I've read that the 3.0 runs on bluetooth tech through a smartphone. Can the same phone control more than one of these lights if I were to get multiple? Also what kind of schedule would you suggest to start with? DioAquatics don't you use one of these or something similar?

 

I've been recently thinking about upgrading my Beamswork DA 6500k to a Fuval Planted 3.0. Does anyone have any advice or pointers on this? I've read that the 3.0 runs on bluetooth tech through a smartphone. Can the same phone control more than one of these lights if I were to get multiple? Also what kind of schedule would you suggest to start with? DioAquatics don't you use one of these or something similar?

Yea I have the Fluval 3.0 for my 75g tank. You can use the Fluval app to connect multiple lights, just name them different names for each tank. I mimicked a similar light schedule as my old t5ho light so maybe you can start with a similar lighting schedule you have now and tweak it as you go. Thats what I did

 

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.

I just set up a 40 gallon breeder tank. It is cycling now.

My tank is in the basement where the temperature can get down in the low 60s in winter, so I used a 300 watt heater. If it was on the main floor where the temperature stays 68 or higher, I would have used a 200 watt. If your house stays at 72 and higher, a 150 watt might be sufficient.

When I had expensive saltwater fish and corals, I always used two heaters in a tank. The heaters were sized so that if the thermostat stuck in the on position, the tanks would not get hot enough to kill the fish and corals, yet large enough so that if one of the heaters failed to turn on, the other would keep the tank from getting too cold.

So if you have the money, I would recommend getting two 150 watt heaters. If money is tight, get one 200 watt heater (unless the room is cold in winter).

As far as filtration, I am using an Aqueon 50 HOB filter. It is rated for up to a 50 gallon tank, but at 250 gph, I consider it to be undersized for a 40 gallon tank. Eventually I will either upgrade either an Aqueon 75 (400 gph), or two AquaClear 50s on the tank ( 200 gph each for 400 gph total). In the mean time, I am supplementing the filtration with a large sponge filter taken from an established tank to seed the biofilter in the new tank. With the Aqueon 50 and the large sponge, the filtration should be adequate. Once I upgrade the HOB, I might remove the sponge filter.

 

I've been recently thinking about upgrading my Beamswork DA 6500k to a Fuval Planted 3.0. Does anyone have any advice or pointers on this? I've read that the 3.0 runs on bluetooth tech through a smartphone. Can the same phone control more than one of these lights if I were to get multiple? Also what kind of schedule would you suggest to start with? DioAquatics don't you use one of these or something similar?

I have 4 of the Fluval 3.0 lights running now through the bluetooth app and love it. A small thing perhaps, but one of my favorite features, aside from it being a good strong light source, is the ability to ramp the light up in the morning and down in the evening. Its become my favorite time to watch the tanks.

 

I have 4 of the Fluval 3.0 lights running now through the bluetooth app and love it. A small thing perhaps, but one of my favorite features, aside from it being a good strong light source, is the ability to ramp the light up in the morning and down in the evening. Its become my favorite time to watch the tanks.

I've got a digital timer that ramps up and down on my Beamswork. However, I run a split photoperiod. Unfortunately, it only ramps up on the first "on" and down on the last "off" of the day. The on and off in the middle do not ramp. Which is pretty annoying.

 

I've got a digital timer that ramps up and down on my Beamswork. However, I run a split photoperiod. Unfortunately, it only ramps up on the first "on" and down on the last "off" of the day. The on and off in the middle do not ramp. Which is pretty annoying.

I have a 3.0 with 2 light periods and it ramps up and down for both periods. I also have a couple of Beamswork DAs. I wouldn't replace it unless it failed. Even then, I would get another Beamswork for the price.

 

I have a 3.0 with 2 light periods and it ramps up and down for both periods. I also have a couple of Beamswork DAs. I wouldn't replace it unless it failed. Even then, I would get another Beamswork for the price.

Do they perform about the same is why you would stay with Beamswork?

 

Do they perform about the same is why you would stay with Beamswork?

Yep. The only saving grace for the 3.0 is that it's waterproof so it's on my rimless 30g. Otherwise, I don't think it's worth 3x the price. It is nice though.

 

I'm back with another question about opinions on stocking. This idea may/probably is pushing it.

So as of now my 40 gallon breeder with Fluval 306 canister filter houses.....

1 Electric Blue Acara
3 Bolivian Rams
8 Black Skirt Teras
2 Bristlenose Plecos (pair)
12 Panda Corys

What I am wondering is if I might be able to squeeze in a group of panda garras, and if so how many?

 

I'm back with another question about opinions on stocking. This idea may/probably is pushing it.

So as of now my 40 gallon breeder with Fluval 306 canister filter houses.....

1 Electric Blue Acara
3 Bolivian Rams
8 Black Skirt Teras
2 Bristlenose Plecos (pair)
12 Panda Corys

What I am wondering is if I might be able to squeeze in a group of panda garras, and if so how many?

I think you are pushing the stocking limit already. Although Fluval indicates that the Fluval 306 cannister is good for up to a 70 gallon tank, at 300 gph rated flow it is far more suited to a 40 gallon tank like yours. Once you fill the trays with media, the flow is likely to drop to 150 gph.

Panda garras will grow to about 3" length, so adding a small group will represent a significant addition to the bioload.

Thus, if you do decide to add a group of garras, I would suggest you consider adding a second filter to the tank. This could be either HOB filter, an internal sponge filter, or even a second canister filter. One issue with a single filter is that when you have to clean that filter, you disrupt the beneficial bacteria in the filter. By having multiple filters, you can clean one filter at a time without disturbing the other. That keeps things more stable.

I have a 40 gallon breeder tank that is filtered by a SunSun HW-3000 canister filter, an Aquaclear 70 HOB and a large air driven sponge filter. The SunSun is rated at 793 gph flow, but it has a variable speed pump which I run at half speed. However, once you add filter media, the flow probably ends up around 200 gph. I clean the HOB filter every couple of weeks. However, I only have to take the canister apart for cleaning every 3-4 months. I hate cleaning canister filters as I always make a mess when I do so. HOB filters are far easier to clean. If you only have a single filter, it will need cleaning more frequently.

 

I'm back with another question about opinions on stocking. This idea may/probably is pushing it.

So as of now my 40 gallon breeder with Fluval 306 canister filter houses.....

1 Electric Blue Acara
3 Bolivian Rams
8 Black Skirt Teras
2 Bristlenose Plecos (pair)
12 Panda Corys

What I am wondering is if I might be able to squeeze in a group of panda garras, and if so how many?

Time to upgrade to a 75g. I would not keep the current stock in a 40b, much less add another group. I lean towards under stocking and over filtrating though so others may disagree. You are over filtrated so that is good.

 

Time to upgrade to a 75g. I would not keep the current stock in a 40b, much less add another group. I lean towards under stocking and over filtrating though so others may disagree. You are over filtrated so that is good.

I agree and disagree with this. 75g would be a much better home for all but the current stock is ok, IMO. I have a 40b with a 306 and most would say it's overstocked but I've had no issues. (5" BN pleco, 24 sterbai, 6 paleatus, 12 rnt, 5 glo light tetras, 10 guppies and 4 neon tetras). I do about 50% every other week but the tank has been well established and there's enough bb density to handle the extended w/c schedule. I also have a lot of plants in the tank and a moving bed filter (like a Ziss). The MBF also aerates the tank and noticed an improvement in the overall tank health when it was added.

I have a group of 7 panda garras in another tank and they're awesome. They're not shy at all and will stick to the front glass when I approach them for feeding. They're always active and fun to watch. I was really hoping to breed them but there's no info online anywhere so that's been put on hold for a while. They're currently in a 20L with 4 m Praecox and 11 kuhli loaches. It's also heavily planted with a 206 filter and the same 50% w/c schedule.