Wanted: Help: Starting 10 gal planted tank

[amirk7]

Hi all,
Planning to start 10 gal planted tank ,new to this hobby and thought i can get lots of help from here please guide , tips, suggestion start up set up or anything that you think it make easier for me to start beautiful planted tank and also if someone have some plants that i can get for started.

Thanks,

[Jason]

How much are you looking to spend?

Since it's only a 10 gallon, I would personally start off with a DIY CO2 system or look around for Metricide 14.

As for lights, you are going to want at least 3 watts per gallon depending on the plants. So 10 gallons minus 1 gallon of substrate is 9 gallons. 9x3 = around 27 watts.

[amirk7]

really do not want to spent much now i have hood that already came with tank its has bulb so how that will work?

[Jason]

What kind of bulb is it? You might be able to just upgrade the lights with lights from Home Depot. Lighting can get really expensive (T5HO setups can be over $100)

[amirk7]

so what should i get from home depot please give more details

[algarciajr]

You can always do a low tech planted tank without any co2 injection. You can dose with Excel. I have some low light plants to get you started if interested. You would need any Excel for them.

[Totenkampf]

you may want to search through the subforum first and then ask questions about specific things that you want to clarify. basically though, for planted tanks, you will need to:

1) decide on what you want to grow, red plants need more light and some plants have lower pH / hardness requirements. Start with a plan!

2) a nutritious substrate that isnt too big or too small in regard to particle size. i like eco-complete and red flourite myself or you can try ADA Amazonia if you can find it and dont mind spending a little more.

3) good lighting, 3 watts per gallon of T5HO lighting would be plenty for most plants. avoid power compact if you can, the lamps are getting harder to find. look for plant bulbs in the 6000k to 6700k temperature range. A timer is good too.

4) fertilizer, you will need carbon either as CO2 or excel/metricide and also macro and micro nutrients. its cheaper to make your own macro and micro ferts so research either the PPS-Pro or EI Natural methods. I prefer the former.

5) filtration, if you wont have many fish in there then this isnt as important but you will want water movement so that the nutrients reach the plants. cansiter filters are king here, avoid HOB or wet/dry types if you plan on CO2. a mini canister like the zoo med 511 or the finnex px360 are good choices for ten gallons.

6) good water, our tap isnt great so plan on mixing tap with some bottled water that has a lower pH and hardness. i use the watermill stands now but i have used the culligans dispensers in walmart.

7) information, forums like this one and the planted tank, aquatic plant central are your friends. an aquarium club will put you in contact with others who can asssit you with info and may also have deals on used gear and plant clippings

i like this article myself, but there are many other good ones:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.html

[mnemenoi]

A simple clip light and 6500K spiral bulb will work, though lighting can be reasonable for a 10 gallon. I'd suggest a decent light (check ebay, they usually run $40+ for the whole setup), some good substrate (eco-complete, $18 at petco/petsmart I think...), and you should be off to the races. Filtration can be done with either a HOB or a sponge filter. Fill it with some plant trimmings and different plants and see what works and what does not. I prefer low tech and do not like Co2, but there are others that do. A bottle of Excel is not too expensive and will usually work well and last quite awhile in a tank that small.

[amirk7]

yes i like to have some plants to get start i see you live on 290 and barker and i live in spring but it be no problem let me first get some substrate and think of ordering flourite from amazon and thanks for offering me plants

[algarciajr]

FYI, Petsmart on Hwy 6 near FM 529 had the Caribsea Floramax 12lb bags on clearance. Red colored for ~$8.47 and the black for ~$10.47.

[Totenkampf]

amazon often runs a free shiping sales thats good for about 15 bucks all said and done, otherwise petsmart carries it for 20 i think

[amirk7]

is it caribsea floramax is good ? actually what i see most of them prefer Seachem Flourite and looks like that is a best substrate for planted tank it little expensive and also i have to order online?

[mnemenoi]

Petsmart and Petco usually carry both on hand and are not crazy expensive, do a search and it should tell you what they run in store. I myself prefer eco-complete, but its mostly about taste and preference.

[Totenkampf]

you have to pay attention to bag size. EC and flourite come in big bags and are both really good values, although EC isnt as easy to find locally at a good price. floramax doesnt, it is in smaller bags but i have heard its pretty good though. you want enough for 3 minimum and many people will slope the substrate to the back to give the impression of depth.

[amirk7]

i am planning to order flourite soon from amazon because i cannot find that in local store and hope i get some startup plants near in spring and thanks to all of you for good tips but i will need more tips soon when i get my flourite.