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Senegal Sactuary, with pictures of its progress

9K views 74 replies 13 participants last post by  OddballFishCoveter 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all, this thread is going to be for the progression of my new 40 gallon tank. Its dimensions are 36"Lx18"Wx14"H, so it has plenty of room and turning space for the bichirs I plan to get, hopefully they'll be one male and one female. For now, the tank is empty (except for a grey tree root structure I bought at Petsmart, it's a little over a foot tall and was only $21!), and is sitting upon its snazzy black stand in my room. It had the most calcium build up I've ever seen on a tank... but after some diligent cleaning it almost looks new~



Going to buy a the rest of the stuff bit by bit for the next few weeks, filter, heater, and the light bulb, then the sand and plants; I'll be posting pictures as the setup progresses. After the aquarium stabilizes chemically, it'll be time to bring said bichirs to their new home. :D

I've also edited the 'My Aquariums' so that my other aquariums have pictures as well.

Sorry for the realllyyyy big picture, I'll try to size them down from now on. D:
 
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#4 ·
No, no I was saying I got the tree root decoration at Petsmart for $21. :p Sorry if my wording made it sound like I meant the aquarium, though I actually traded this tank for an E-Reader that I never used along with the hood and an aquarium pump/siphon.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Small update, I've bought some of the sand, pure black sand, and I found out that Pet Supplies Plus will take special/custom orders for plants and fish, so for now I ordered Anubias and C. cornuta Water Sprite since they didn't have any already.

Knowing that I can order fish they don't usually have makes me want to explore more options for my stock, I'm soooo indecisive.
 
#8 ·
Yup, even now stock lists keep popping into my head.

Still considering a Bichir or two, as they are a fish I am most attached to, I just love their ancient, awesome appearance!

Also thinking of three separate species of barbs, long-fin rosy barb, green tiger barb, and odessa barb, they are all so pretty! And to have them all in separate schools, showing off their bright colors.. the thought is very appealing to me.

Or, have the aquarium swarming with fancy guppies!
 
#11 ·
I have had one once, a striped peacock eel. If I happen to not choose the Bichirs, I may consider getting one. ;-)
 
#12 ·
Been busy with school lately everyone, but I will probably be ordering my filter, heater, and driftwood from Foster and Smith Aquatics this week. Having to pace myself with this tank is making go crazy! Hopefully I'll be able to start showering you all with pictures of my aquascape when everything starts coming together.
 
#14 ·
Not to mention they're having their Summer Sale until Sept. 6, saving me a few bucks. :D
 
#16 ·
Good news everyone!

I've bought the filter, heater, more sand, river rocks, and driftwood today! Though, not from Foster and Smith as I had planned, instead I turned to Petsmart due to my mom not wanting to use Paypal. But, thanks to that, I got a great deal on a hang-on canister filter that will be much better for this tank (I specifically got the filter from Pet Supplies Plus, did some bargain shopping). Tomorrow I will start soaking the driftwood, and hopefully get to cutting some plywood to put under the 40 gallon, since you see the stand is for a thinner 55 gal and has some of the tank hanging over about an inch in the front and back. Better safe than sorry!

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to shower you all with pictures!
 
#19 ·
Oh...ok...the way that post read it sounded like you were adding all those little fish in with the bichirs. In that case...disregard my last post...lol...my vote is still for the bichirs though. Of course they will likely need more room then the 40g tank in time but after the first year their growth slows down quite a bit. Mine were about 10 inches after 2 years when I gave them to a friend. I miss those guys...wish I still had them.
 
#20 · (Edited)
I apologize that my post sounded that way. D: Wish I could go back and edit it.

I think I am sticking with the bichirs, as they are well suited to the harder water I have here. I've always wanted one, and acquiring a larger tank won't be a problem in a year or so.

I'll be getting them from Petsmart, as they are the only ones who have them locally. They're teeny tiny baby ones! No more than an inch long.
 
#21 ·
Yeah...saw some like that at my Petsmart too. In fact...that is where I got one of mine and it did great. When they are that tiny it's really cool to watch them grow cause they do grow fast in the beginning. I also had an albino that was really cool. I hope once I am out of school and can afford another BIG tank I can do a really nice bichir tank with some of the larger bichirs.
 
#22 ·
Big tanks + big bichirs = best tank ever :D


Alright guys, I've finish the plywood and it's now under the tank. I've soaked and brushed the tree root decoration and the sand is in, the filter is ready to go when I load up the tank with water. I'll be posting pictures soon~

Also, since my Malaysian driftwood is too big to boil, how long should I have them soaking in really hot water?
 
#23 ·
Pictures~ Some look bluer because I was messing around with the camera settings.

The filter didn't work when I turned it on. D: Tried to tinker with it, but the motor thingy didn't start at all. Will turning it in for a replacement tomorrow.
 

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#27 ·
Got back from Pet Supplies Plus to return the filter, but they were out of stock on the particular one I had, so I'll have to wait until Wednesday to get the replacement. D:

I figure though that since I'm going to do the plant cycle, that I can get the plants tomorrow or Tuesday, and get my baby Bichirs the same day I get the filter. Does that sound okay?
 
#29 ·
Alright everyone, went to a different Pet Supplies Plus today and got a new Magnum Canister Filter. Works like a charm. Also picked up two Java Ferns and an Amazon Sword from Petsmart. I put the driftwood, plants, and a few of the river rocks in the tank, didn't finish on the rocks though. I'll probably be posting pictures tomorrow. :D
 
#31 ·
Yep, and soaked them for a few hours afterwards too to make sure the driftwood was thoroughly de-tanninized. :p
 
#32 ·
Went to Pet Supplies Plus today (again) and picked up what I think is probably the ONLY Water Sprite in NE Ohio. :p It isn't C. cornuta, it's the thalictroides species, which has been added to the hole in the tree root decoration. How long do you think it'll take to grow across the whole surface of the tank?

Pictures~!
 

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#34 ·
How nice of you to offer! I'd take it but I'm afraid it isn't necessary. :D One Water Sprite is all I need (for now, perhaps) and I can get the Anubius and Amazon Swords I have need of yet at my local Petsmart and Pet Supplies Plus.
 
#36 ·
Thanks, Strand. :D
 
#37 ·
Not an exciting update, but it is unclear when I'll be getting the rest of my plants. I'm not too bothered by this, as a small break from spending money is welcome by my mom. None-the-less, I can't wait to bring my baby bichirs home, one of the Petsmarts close to me how a beautiful silver-gray one that I hope will still be there after everything is finished.

Also, some questions:

Is it normal for C. thali Water Sprite to brown a little? Like a very slight tinge of brown. I'll get pictures later if needed.

How long does it take for Java Fern to root into driftwood?

And, how long will it possibly take for my Water Sprite to cover most of the water surface with 10 hours of daylight bulb light and a weekly dose of Flourish Comprehensive?
 
#38 ·
So, I got a little surprise today in that I got the rest of my plants today! (At least I think so) There is one piece of decor I wish to get, but it's on my on my Christmas list for later. Might get another piece or two of Malaysian driftwood as well... I think some more hiding places for the bichirs may be needed but I'll see what you guys think when I get pictures tomorrow.

I ended up buying two plants that were just labeled as 'assorted plant', they were nice and tall which is why I got them, but I have no idea what they are.

For the questions I asked earlier, I found out Java Fern take only a few weeks to root, but if anyone can tell me how fast Water Sprite grows that'd be great. :D
 
#39 ·
Pictures~

How does my aquascape look?
 

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