40G Soontobe Planted?

[uGlitch]

The tank is currently empty. It used to house my red eared sliders, which I have given away unfortunately...

When I get home (probably this summer) I want to start from scratch and start a planted tank.
Would this stock be alright for the size of my tank?
How would you cycle a planted tank?

- 2 Angels
- 20 Cardinals
- 1 Bristlenose Plec
- 7 Corys?

I won't be doing anything until this summer as I am schooling 2 provinces away from my actual tank atm
I was thinking maybe a triangle scape as I have a couple nice pieces of driftwood at home.
Once I get this tank started I'll do a DIY yeast setup shown here: DIY Yeast Setup

The tank currently has no lighting at all because I gave my lights along with my turtles. Should I go for ~2wpg? or lower than that?
I was thinking of getting a couple T5 lights for it. Would that be enough?

The filter on the tank is a Fluval 3+, would I need to add a powerhead for extra circulation?
Also, I'll be setting up a 20G sump for this tank...so hopefully filtration wouldn't be a problem...
For substrate I was thinking of topsoil covered with silica sand. Is topsoil high enough in nutrients? Or would I have to go with the expensive stuff?

 

[uGlitch]

0 input?

 

[SuperColey1]

Would this stock be alright for the size of my tank?

The stock should be fine if we are talking a normal tank with a decent surface area. However get more than 1 bristlenose. All fish that are non aggressive tend to like some of their own as company. Drop the Corys to 6 andup the bristlenose to 2.

However you may well find the Angels will eat the cardinals. Also for those Angels the tank would need to be a tall and not a long.

How would you cycle a planted tank?

Depends on the level of planting. A heavily planted tank may not cycle at all.

Once I get this tank started I'll do a DIY yeast setup shown here:

On a 40 you are going to need to get your circulation super sweet for DIY.

Assuming this is a normal tank then 2 full length T8s are plenty of light. 2 x T5 (NO) would be fine. T5HO is far too much for yeast setups and IMO more than is needed for a high tec setup too but each to their own. lol

Fluval 3+ is 700lph. Not good enough as an internal IMO. My 33USG came with a 3+

Sell the 3+ and get a 4+ or something in the range of 1000lph. Not worth adding a powerhead for the sake of upping slightly or get an external around the 1000lph+ mark.

Also, I'll be setting up a 20G sump for this tank...so hopefully filtration wouldn't be a problem...

No idea on sumps. why have an internal filter and a sump. why not one or the other?

For substrate I was thinking of topsoil covered with silica sand. Is topsoil high enough in nutrients? Or would I have to go with the expensive stuff?

Topsoil will likely have been but through a barrel drum and incinerator to burn the weeds, seeds etc out. Better off using something like John Innes 3.

The 'rich in nutrients' isn't that much of a deal really. You get the nutrients and the plants use them. More important IMO is the substrate's ability for Cation exchange. How much it can soak up, store replenish itself etc.

Something like ADA AS does both. Comes rich in nutrients and also has high CEC.

I would be acreful using a compost beneath the sand though. Although the Walstad method says you can put fish in after 24 hours I would be a little worried of ammonia leeching into the water column.

AC

 

[uGlitch]

Thanks for the input!

The fluval 3+ is just cause I have it lying around.
Not sure if I should just go with a sump or external filter.
What are some pros/cons of each?

How hard is it to keep Discus? I might have them instead of the angels.
I generally keep a constant ph/temp in the tanks.
Ammonia and Nitrite/nitrates are not usually a problem either. Are they just picky eaters?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SuperColey1]

The fluval 3+ is just cause I have it lying around.
Not sure if I should just go with a sump or external filter.
What are some pros/cons of each?

Never dealt with a sump so can't give you pros and cons r.e. sump vs filters but externals are better than internals IMO for many reasons:

Not in the tank so no equipment visible.
Higher media capacity so less frequent need to clean.
Many options for output including glassware if so inclined to go for the aesthetics

How hard is it to keep Discus? I might have them instead of the angels.
I generally keep a constant ph/temp in the tanks.
Ammonia and Nitrite/nitrates are not usually a problem either. Are they just picky eaters?

Lol. Discus are harder than angels and they will also eat the little uns. 40USG is a little small IMO for discus anyway.

When you say you keep a constant Ph what do you mean? Do you alter it to keep it level or do you mean it stays level. I would suggest if the former stop. Thats one of those oldy worldy suggestions that suggest fish should be between a small range of X and Y. Always confuses me why it is suggested that fish who live in variables of 3.5 - 6.5ph in the southa American rivers require a small range from 6.5-7 etc.

Just put the water in and leave it. It does more harm than good altering things.
I think the main problem with discus is it is suggested that they need a little higher temp. 28ish I think and people feed them all sorts of special food. Over feeding too. I have no idea how valid the suggested temperatures are but I would cheekily and possibly incorrectly say it may well be a similar scenario to the Ph suggestions within reason.

AC


Thanks in advance!
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