40g Breeder Journal

[myswtsins]

As soon as I got to CA I looked up this thread to see if you had any new pictures..I want to see what you do with all those plants! Remember...I'm living vicariously through you right now. :grinyes:

LOL Well that is a lot of pressure! Your tanks were fantastic! I can't wait to have softer more acidic water. :dance:

Nearly all the plants went into my 33 hex for holding. Some are doing well while others didn't transition well. The P.***i was SO hard to work with, with those little root messes and the bunch I planted melted a lot but I am hoping it will bounce back once it adjusts more. The plant all the way on the bottom to the left in the picture I posted before (maybe some type of hygro?) completely deteriorated just poof gone! I really liked that one too. The java fern doesn't appear to be dying, Hooray!! The rest are changing shape, size and color but growing very well, I think I need to replace my bulb. Any algae that came with them has disappeared though so I am very excited!

The light comes on soon so I will take a picture for you & i will get cracking and the projects so I can get this tank started. I hope you are enjoying Cali! :silly:

 

[myswtsins]

Well my friend came over and he requires my undivided attention so I didn't get pictures, sorry. I did however make some more progress on the light box today.

This is about where it will hang. It will give me about 60 micromols at the substrate according to Hoppy's guide over at TPT & it gives me plenty of clearance for me to work in the tank!! The chain is also surprising easy to adjust.

Close up

From an angle

Obviously I am still leveling the tank. I noticed that the tank didn't sit perfectly flush on the stand so I added a piece of foam under the tank...we'll see how it does.

Ok the best part of this light box & foam is that it didn't cost me anything! I found all the wood, hardware, chain & paint in the shed & basement, I love my house.

 

[Chrisinator]

Sweeetness!

 

[fishycat]

Wow, I love your wall! Sponge-stippling? It goes great with the hood & trim. With the chain, the look is almost medieval, but in a good way! :thm:

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks for sticking around you two.

Wow, I love your wall! Sponge-stippling? It goes great with the hood & trim. With the chain, the look is almost medieval, but in a good way! :thm:

Thanks, that's my favorite wall in my house! I wish my whole room was that but than I guess it would make a poor accent wall, huh? I hand sponge painted it.

LOL my mom said "If it is supposed to look like a torture chamber device it looks good!"


So, for my handful of followers here is today's update! I stole the lights from my 72g tank & installed them into the light box. The reflectors are a bit water marked but oh well, I want to upgrade the lights at some point anyways. They are installed straight, the camera angle makes them look all wonky.

I decided against any vents for aesthetic reasons but I do have a fan that I can easily install later if heat becomes an issue. The lights & ballasts are all raised off the wood and spaced out to allow adequate flow.

Tomorrow I hope to get the MTS ready for use (add clay & water) & maybe get this thing going but I am sure there are things I forgot about so we will see.

 

[jbradt]

The lighting looks great. Keep up the good work!

 

[fishycat]

Ooh, are those moon lights? Sweet.

 

[dundadundun]

that's gotta be the best looking 40g torture tank i've ever seen. so then it's settled, medieval it is. :dance:

 

[JAY973]

It looks great!!!! 2 thumbs up on the DIY setup.

 

[myswtsins]

The lighting looks great. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the support!

Ooh, are those moon lights? Sweet.

Yes, moonlights & sunrise lights. They worked pretty well on the 72g but I am afraid they may be too high above this tank to be effective. If so I just have to increase the AC adapter size and tada! I love projects. :drool: They will require me to have FOUR timers on this tank though I they won't be used until I can buy another 2 timers. Then if I setup my auto dosing I will 2 more timers for a total of six! :uhoh:

that's gotta be the best looking 40g torture tank i've ever seen. so then it's settled, medieval it is. :dance:

:lol: Yay, medieval! Wish I could think of a cool medieval non-cheesy theme for the tank now but there is nothing medieval about beautiful lush green plants in my mind. Thanks for the compliment, I think....

It looks great!!!! 2 thumbs up on the DIY setup.

Thank you, I LOVE DIY!