Wonder Boy

I'm currently working on a 40B with nano fish. I've got WCMM, Ricefish, and Emerald Dwarf Rasboras with RCS. It's a good tank to watch, and low maintenance since the plant tend to suck up most of the fish waste. I think it's a fun idea.

Hi Everybody, While I was deployed, my wife picked me up a used 40 breeder with Fluval 2.0. In my excitement, I set up the tank without checking out the light. Unfortunately, it's only a 24 inch, and the light doesn't seem to reach the edges of the tank. The light is directly on the glass lid. The tank right now has a banana plant, dwarf hairgrass, hygrophila pinnetifada, moss balls, java moss, java fern, water sprite, black pearl, crypt wendi green, repens, and bacopa. Since I'm a bad water gardener, it'll probably catch duckweed and pearl weed too. The majority of the plants are under the light, with some of the hairgrass, bacopa, and repens not directly under. I've set to full power for 8 hours per day. The only fish are 9 white clouds. What does the community think on the light? Will 24 inches suffice, or do I need a 36 inch to cover the whole tank. Thanks, Ross

Very Cool!

You might also be able to use those off-brand glass Tupperware/Pyrex dishes. Those might have the shape and size you're looking for.

I love these fish. Super cool project. Are you planning to breed them?

Howdy All, I'm going to be setting up a newly acquired 40 breeder as a naturalish looking planted tank. I'd like to put some large natural looking rocks in. Looking for experiences with big box store landscaping rocks. Any body have this work out for them?

I do as @1moretanksays and glue to a couple pieces of gravel. It's helped me keep planted in decent sized gravel, with curious little fish.

I'd double check its not the thin glass, but otherwise fill with water to test for leaks. I clean with white vinegar on my used tanks and rinse well. Always has worked out.

Since you mentioned filter cartridges, always a good view if you haven't seen it:

I got some Hygrophila Pinnatifida after seeing it in Corvus' video. I love it. Good snag.

I think it’s been said a couple of times, but I’ll reiterate to look at the used market. People are always getting out of the hobby or selling excess equipment. You can get some really good deals on tanks, lights, lids, whole set ups, etc on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and your local fish club.

Our platys snack on culls. I’m guessing the platys and mollies will make a very expensive snack of your shrimp. I’d try the guppy fry tank or divided tank.

My guess is your worried about the ice expanding and bursting the glass? I would think it shouldn’t be a problem unless the aquarium freezes solid. If that’s a risk, probably should drain it or heat it anyway.

White vinegar and elbow grease for me.

My concern is that you’ll never actually heat the space. 0 degrees with no insulation is gonna be a rough go to get the temp up, regardless of cost. i’d keep the tanks close together, and near the heater. Maybe a slow fan behind the heater to turn it from radiant to slow blow heat? Are your flood lights LED?