Tricks to Maximize a single Tank?

[Beanie Seagus]

I'm looking for Purchasable or DIY tricks I can use to squeeze the absolute most utility out of my single 40 gallon breeder.

For this tank I have the following objectives:
-overstock the tank in a community tank setting
-breed some or all of the following: german blue rams, panda corydoras or similar, plecos, or other dwarf cichilds, or angelfish
-carve out space for young fry to have safety in this community tank


To achieve these aims i'm already doing/considering the following:
-lots of filtration (running 2-3 Aqua clear 70s on this 40 gallon tank)
-heavily planting the tank and adding lots of cover and cave holes
-i have several marina hang on breeder boxes for fry


What are some other tricks or items i might consider to squeeze the absolute most out of this tank considering my objectives? Does anyone know where i can find reliable tank dividers?

Thanks

 

[halak]

Sump?

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

If you're using HOBs, I'd suggest adding a pre-filter to the intake, otherwise they can suck up fry and/or plants. You'll have to keep them clean though otherwise it will restrict flow. Just remember that most/all fish will at least try to eat eggs and fry, but catfish, loaches and snails especially.

 

[IndianaSam]

You could pretty effectively make a 40 breeder into 2x20 gallon tanks by installing a matten filter in the middle that doubles as a tank divider. That's what I did to one of mine and it's working rather well.

 

[Beanie Seagus]

thanks for the responses.

H halak Unfortunately a sump is out of the question, as i'm out of space. Working on trying to keep maybe a few little 10 gallons for side projects and pairings, we'll see if that flies.

Matten filter divider sounds ok. IndianaSam How often do you have to clean that thing? and what happens to the separated fish when you have to remove it for cleaning?


I was also considering simply using conventional dividers. Does anyone have a brand recommendation for dividers?

DiscusnAfricans thanks for reminder on the pre-filter intake reminder for the HOB!

 

[Acara19]

Ah, so you want the good old moneytope? Here is how Id do them, especially a 40
Stock with bristlenose plecos, red ramshorns, magenta (or any) mystery snails, neocaridina, and either guppies with swordtails or mollies with platies. That way the smaller of those species won't be able to predate on the fry of the larger one. Xiphos and poecilia can't hybridize either so I like to take advantage of that. Heavily plant with some dense species like hornwort or guppy grass, and or frogbit. Frogbit has very dense roots. Once there is a decent population of fry that the adult fish can't eat they tend to learn that the fry aren't really food. If you want to speed that up you can keep an entire batch of fry, raise them to a size where they're barely out of the edible size for adults, and release them into the tank. I do that with my guppy tanks and I barely lose fry. I have too many guppies at this point
Just my 3 cents 😁

 

[Beanie Seagus]

Ah, so you want the good old moneytope? Here is how Id do them, especially a 40
Stock with bristlenose plecos, red ramshorns, magenta (or any) mystery snails, neocaridina, and either guppies with swordtails or mollies with platies. That way the smaller of those species won't be able to predate on the fry of the larger one. Xiphos and poecilia can't hybridize either so I like to take advantage of that. Heavily plant with some dense species like hornwort or guppy grass, and or frogbit. Frogbit has very dense roots. Once there is a decent population of fry that the adult fish can't eat they tend to learn that the fry aren't really food. If you want to speed that up you can keep an entire batch of fry, raise them to a size where they're barely out of the edible size for adults, and release them into the tank. I do that with my guppy tanks and I barely lose fry. I have too many guppies at this point
Just my 3 cents 😁

I really like this idea.

My issue is that i'm trying to juggle the money interests with my love for dwarf / new world cichlids. .