So, I got a "new" 40gal long tank...for free! A friend had it sitting in his backyard forever and I convinced him to give it to me. He also have me an AquaTech 30-60 (needs some work as the intake tube is missing and it's been sitting outside for many years, but I think I can pirate the intake tube from the Penguin 170 I have on the 46gal now and it'll work) and two INCREDIBLE pieces of driftwood. As soon as I can get the tank unloaded from the back of my truck (it's a HEAVY bugger!), I'm going to get to cleaning it with a mild vinegar solution. So, hopefully it'll be up and cycling within the next couple of weeks. I'm going to do a fishless cycle (which will involve some interesting tank juggling, but I need the practice at the cycling 'cuz I'm not so good at that). However, I have a couple of questions before I get started...
1- Driftwood. I know it needs to be soaked until the tannins are gone. I have a clear plastic bucket I can soak one piece at a time in (they're both too big for a 5gal bucket). Should I just soak them in water, or should I soak them in a mild vinegar solution (at first, then gradually bring it down to pure water)? Also, the cooler of the two pieces has a black widow in residence (I think...she was there when I first picked up the piece of wood). What's the easiest/most efficient way to get rid of her without using harmful chemicals?
2- Substrate. Right now I have pea gravel in the 46gal (it's bigger than regular aquarium gravel, about 1/2-3/4" diameter). I think I ended up putting two bags in there (and I believe they're .5 cubic yard bags...or .5 cubic foot...I need to check). Anyway, with the dimensions on this new tank, I don't think that'll be enough to cover the bottom and be at the 2" or so that I want it to be. The tank is 48"L X 12"D X 16" H. I want the ultimate depth of the water to be about 13-14". I was thinking of adding a bag or two of play sand (can be bought for $2.68 per .5 cubic yard bag at Walmart) to get the right depth, then adding the pea gravel on top. I could also use some of the sand to create a river effect (the sand is the river and the gravel is the shore), which I find very appealing. Thoughts on this approach? I figure I'd probably need two bags of play sand if I want to make a 1" layer of sand on the bottom and have enough to make the river. Does that sound about right?
This will hopefully be my stocking, plus or minus a couple of female bettas (since I have the room to play)...with this stocking level, my filtration is at 133% if I can use the AquaTech 30-60 I have:
http://www.aqadvisor.com/AquStockIm...00909300164,6 x 200909300153,1 x 200909300239
1- Driftwood. I know it needs to be soaked until the tannins are gone. I have a clear plastic bucket I can soak one piece at a time in (they're both too big for a 5gal bucket). Should I just soak them in water, or should I soak them in a mild vinegar solution (at first, then gradually bring it down to pure water)? Also, the cooler of the two pieces has a black widow in residence (I think...she was there when I first picked up the piece of wood). What's the easiest/most efficient way to get rid of her without using harmful chemicals?
2- Substrate. Right now I have pea gravel in the 46gal (it's bigger than regular aquarium gravel, about 1/2-3/4" diameter). I think I ended up putting two bags in there (and I believe they're .5 cubic yard bags...or .5 cubic foot...I need to check). Anyway, with the dimensions on this new tank, I don't think that'll be enough to cover the bottom and be at the 2" or so that I want it to be. The tank is 48"L X 12"D X 16" H. I want the ultimate depth of the water to be about 13-14". I was thinking of adding a bag or two of play sand (can be bought for $2.68 per .5 cubic yard bag at Walmart) to get the right depth, then adding the pea gravel on top. I could also use some of the sand to create a river effect (the sand is the river and the gravel is the shore), which I find very appealing. Thoughts on this approach? I figure I'd probably need two bags of play sand if I want to make a 1" layer of sand on the bottom and have enough to make the river. Does that sound about right?
This will hopefully be my stocking, plus or minus a couple of female bettas (since I have the room to play)...with this stocking level, my filtration is at 133% if I can use the AquaTech 30-60 I have:
http://www.aqadvisor.com/AquStockIm...00909300164,6 x 200909300153,1 x 200909300239