12x8x8

[JoeBoxer]

shrimps appreciate plants, for security; and also to eat any biofilm and algae that forms on the leaves breeding can be good from the perspective that high grade shrimp aren't cheap, and with a lifespan of 1-2 years, could save you money in the long run

Makes sense!!

I've eliminated:

12x12x12 is too deep....dont need it
20x20x12 is too big and way too deep
ADA 5 gallon 14x9x10....will cost $40 more than the Fluval Edge for a smaller tank...no point

Narrowed it down to:

Fluval Edge 6 gallon - 17x9x10 - will cost $170 for everything minus deco and fish
ADA 10 gallon - 18x11x12 - will cost $260 for everything minus deco and fish

Hard to justify an extra $90 for the slightly larger tank, especially when most of the added inches are in the height. I will simmer on it.

Decided on 5-10 endlers guppies to start, see how that pans out, then when the water quality is really good I will try adding shrimp.

Enough about me (just wanted to let you know you've totally influenced my decision haha)...

Looking forward to more updates and pics, can't wait.

 

[convict360]

Makes sense!!

I've eliminated:

12x12x12 is too deep....dont need it
20x20x12 is too big and way too deep
ADA 5 gallon 14x9x10....will cost $40 more than the Fluval Edge for a smaller tank...no point

Narrowed it down to:

Fluval Edge 6 gallon - 17x9x10 - will cost $170 for everything minus deco and fish
ADA 10 gallon - 18x11x12 - will cost $260 for everything minus deco and fish

Hard to justify an extra $90 for the slightly larger tank, especially when most of the added inches are in the height. I will simmer on it.

Decided on 5-10 endlers guppies to start, see how that pans out, then when the water quality is really good I will try adding shrimp.

Enough about me (just wanted to let you know you've totally influenced my decision haha)...

Looking forward to more updates and pics, can't wait.

You could start a thread or post in here, would be great to see

 

[Angelphish]

Makes sense!!

I've eliminated:

12x12x12 is too deep....dont need it
20x20x12 is too big and way too deep
ADA 5 gallon 14x9x10....will cost $40 more than the Fluval Edge for a smaller tank...no point

Narrowed it down to:

Fluval Edge 6 gallon - 17x9x10 - will cost $170 for everything minus deco and fish
ADA 10 gallon - 18x11x12 - will cost $260 for everything minus deco and fish

Hard to justify an extra $90 for the slightly larger tank, especially when most of the added inches are in the height. I will simmer on it.

Decided on 5-10 endlers guppies to start, see how that pans out, then when the water quality is really good I will try adding shrimp.

Enough about me (just wanted to let you know you've totally influenced my decision haha)...

Looking forward to more updates and pics, can't wait.

My question ties in with his. convict360

If a fluval 12g is too deep, then what other options do I have? I want around 10 gallons so I can keep at least 3 puffers.

What would be some good plants I could keep? I would like my scape to consist of easy to care for carpet plants along with any others that you might suggest.

 

[Hendre]

My question ties in with his. convict360

If a fluval 12g is too deep, then what other options do I have? I want around 10 gallons so I can keep at least 3 puffers.

What would be some good plants I could keep? I would like my scape to consist of easy to care for carpet plants along with any others that you might suggest.

Monte carlo is a carpet plant convict suggested. Anubias nana, java fern, dwarf hairgrass are ok to begin with, just make sure your lighting is sufficient

 

[Angelphish]

Monte carlo is a carpet plant convict suggested. Anubias nana, java fern, dwarf hairgrass are ok to begin with, just make sure your lighting is sufficient

Now that I'm leaning away from the 12 gal edge, I'll probably do a FugeRay or Planted+ for the tank.

 

[convict360]

Now that I'm leaning away from the 12 gal edge, I'll probably do a FugeRay or Planted+ for the tank.

It's not that it's a bad thing the 12g, its just that the height can make planting a pain; it's a lot easier in lower height tanks

I've consistently found the best plants for low tech set-ups to be Anubias varieties, there's so many now that they actually look sufficiently different to look like a separate species, giving you variation while still being superb plants to look after.

The one i got recently that I really like, is hottonia palustris, it's another easy plant; quite bushy with nice fine leaves

Also cryptocorynes, slow growers; and may melt at the start, but they look good when they get going.

To do the monte Carlo carpet, this is what works for me:

Plant/shrimp substrate
Low lighting, I have 9w over 32 litres/8 gallons, which is low/medium. Can raise the lights higher or lower depending on algae, plant growth.
Liquid complete fertiliser, once a week right after a 50% water change.

That's what worked for me, the one thing I'd definitely stress is; don't overdo the lighting. The fugeray and planted + are excellent, but may be too much light for your needs; growing algae unless co2 is present.


In the scheme of growing plants, the main things to balance are co2, nutrients, and light; it's by far best to have light as the limiting factor, as this gives your plants the best chance to out compete algae.

 

[convict360]

Also, don't underestimate the ability of mosses in aquascaping; can create some truly awesome visuals, with them, and they can be super forgiving of conditions

If you type in "flame moss aquascape" "weeping moss", "Christmas moss",get some good examples

 

[Angelphish]

What would you recommend for lighting then?

 

[convict360]

What would you recommend for lighting then?

Honestly? On a small tank like 10gallon, I'd get down to ikea and pick up some small led lamps for super cheap, and run that at the start to get an idea of what I need. If cost isnt a worry, I'd have a look at some aquarium lights on eBay, the clip on ones

Here's the ones I use for the mini tanks, I'd even do two of these if needed:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-New-Fl...ht-Lamp-Sump-3-Modes-/391476842986?nav=SEARCH

The problem I find with the planted light bars, are that they are very powerful, and often necessitate upping the co2, otherwise the algae goes rampant, also the closer to the substrate they are, the PAR rises significantly. If you make the jump to injected co2 down the line, they then become a very good option imo

 

[Angelphish]

Honestly? On a small tank like 10gallon, I'd get down to ikea and pick up some small led lamps for super cheap, and run that at the start to get an idea of what I need. If cost isnt a worry, I'd have a look at some aquarium lights on eBay, the clip on ones

Here's the ones I use for the mini tanks, I'd even do two of these if needed:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-New-Fl...ht-Lamp-Sump-3-Modes-/391476842986?nav=SEARCH

The problem I find with the planted light bars, are that they are very powerful, and often necessitate upping the co2, otherwise the algae goes rampant, also the closer to the substrate they are, the PAR rises significantly. If you make the jump to injected co2 down the line, they then become a very good option imo

I'll probably try a couple of those.

What about a tank? I was only looking at the fluval 12g because it was an all in one and it was rather cheap. I didn't like the height though. If I do get one I would prefer rimless, and around 10 gal.

I may build my own. I was thinking 24 x 10 x 14.