1st planted 10g

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Confidence

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2010
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Hey guys was going to make my 75g planted decided on making that a P tank and my 10g is jsut sitting around so going to tamper with it to make it a small planted tank just for some decoration in the room and color.

What i need to know is i planned on just running a small c02 system one from my lps that is like 40$ all you do is use small cartridge co2's. is this enough for a 10g and how often will i be replacing these cartridges?

Looking max to spend on this thing around 150-175$ is that doable for this small of a tank? should be i thought.. let me know your suggestions or ideas.. new to the whole planted scene so anything helps..

Also i have these 2 light fixtures each hold 2 bulbs about 4ft long. each light 40 Watts.. should i run all 4 lights and put out 160W or just run 2 lights and put out 80... remember its only a 10g tank, Also how do you gravel vac a planted without uprooting the plants?

Plants will be consisting of amazons and mosses

Which type of fish do you recommend for a tank this small and how many algae eaters?
 
I have a low tech planted tank. I use 2 screw in CFL bulbs, both are 15 watts each. BTW, the watts per gallon rule doesn't matter for planted tanks. I suggest you do some research, right here in the stickies about what type of bulbs give off what type of light. I dose seachem equilibrium, mono potassium phosphate and potassium nitrate. This gives me nitrogen, potassium, phosphates, calcium, magnesium and iron the plants need. I dose excel right now for C02 supplement, but once the plants fill in more I will not be dosing it. I also will not be doing any waterchanges. The tank will take care of itself because if the plant biomass. The only thing I need to do is top offs once in awhile.


It isn't expensive for this type of set up. It does take awhile for things to fill out though. And you probably could do some more variety of plants than the ones you want. I am growing crypts, java fern, java moss, wisteria, rotala indica, and dwarf hairgrass.


Something you need to know is you DO NOT need lots of light. Lots of light makes the plants grow faster, but they also need more C02 and nutrients to do this. If you don't have the right amount algae takes over and plants can die. High light plants still grow with low light, but just slower. But when they grow slower they need less C02 and nutrients.

You should read this article to get a better idea about how planted tanks work, I suggest you go for a low tech tank and master that first. Once you figure it out, you will have a better clue on more advanced planted tanks. http://www.sudeepmandal.com/hobbies/planted-aquarium/low-tech-planted-tank-guide/
 
Well, thanks for the info, as for the lighting then i wonder if just one 40w bulb is to much for a 10g, but mabey if i just run it less hours a day it will be fine?, just wonder how long to run it every day ? like for a 40w mabey only 4-5 hours a day?
 
It depends on what type of fixture it is and the bulb type. Is this a fluorescent fixture with T8 bulbs? Actually I wouldn't go too low on hours with the plants. I would start with 6 hours a day for about a week. Then I would increase it to 8 for about 2 weeks. Then from there go to 10 hours. If algae starts growing cut it back to 8 hours etc. I would never go over 10 hours though. A good thing to install is a timer for your lights too.
 
Pyramid_Party;4402280; said:
It depends on what type of fixture it is and the bulb type. Is this a fluorescent fixture with T8 bulbs? Actually I wouldn't go too low on hours with the plants. I would start with 6 hours a day for about a week. Then I would increase it to 8 for about 2 weeks. Then from there go to 10 hours. If algae starts growing cut it back to 8 hours etc. I would never go over 10 hours though. A good thing to install is a timer for your lights too.
Click to expand...

i belive there t8 bulbs, there form menards, i have 2 light fixtures each holding 2 40 watt bulbs, 160w total how many should i run 40w or 80 or all 160?
 
warlord651;4402275; said:
this site that u posted also says no wc at all... ?
Click to expand...


Yes because once your tank is filled with plants it takes care of itself. A waterchanges/gravel vac is harmful. You can do waterchanges and change water from the water column, but this can throw off the amount of dissolved C02 levels in the tank. That's why top offs are only recommended.


I set up this tank for half the amount you said you are willing to spend.
 
Top offs are taking water off the top of the tank. Like grabbing a cup and taking some water out. Like for a 10 gallon, maybe about 1/2 gallon worth off the top. Then replacing it with new water. You only do this when water has evaporated.

But the important thing is you must have a heavy plant biomass. This means your tank is fully covered in plants. If you have only a few plants in the tank, then regular tank maintenance still stands.
 
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