Specs for 1st planted tank....

[hb3133]

Thanks for all the great information and thoughts. Thankfully I have a little expereince with FW tanks. I have a 20 high that has been up and running for over a year. This is my first attempt at a planted tank so I am taking it slow. I've been doing weeks of research (almost too much) and hopefully things will go okay. By the way, here is my plans and I wo would appreciate any thoughts, both positive or negative, from other members of the forum.

Like I said earlier, I have a ten gallon tank with two 15 compact flourescent bulbs. I am starting with a 2 inch layer of Eco-complete followed by a shallow layer of gravel. I have purchased a Marineland Neptune 50 watt heater and a AquaClear 5-20 gallon HOB filter. I order Bio-Spira from "Bernie the fish guy" which I received today. I ordered from him when I started my 20 gallon and the stuff worked great. I have two pieces of bogwood, which I have boiled for over 3 hours and now are soaking for a few days. I have order the following plants from the LFS:

Foreground:
1 petite nana
1 Anubas nana
1 dwarf sag

Middle:
1 congenis
2 java ferns
1 temple plant

Background:
1 hygrophilia polysperma

As far as fish, I was thinking of 8 glowlights or rummy nose tetras eventually followed by 2 or 3 oto cats.

From that point, It will be a learning adventure.

[Jchillin]

Your plan looks good. I would hesitate on the temple plant...they need a little more lighting (2+wpg) than you will have. Since you have a tall tank, you could also go with some longer growth plants such as vals for the background.

[newfound77951]

Any reason for the gravel over the Eco? When you gravel vacuum you'll end up mixing them up anyway.

Other than that your plan sounds well thought out and should work nicely. You might want to pick up some trace supplement and some potassium, possibly some Excel, too.

Post some pictures when you get it all going!

[JustOneMore20]

I would go with all Eco...the gravel will eventually mix in, defeating the purpose of putting it there in the first place. Eco is much better for your plants also.

I'd get more than one buch of dwarf sag...assuming by 1 you mean a bunch. I'd get 2. You can spread them out a little.

I'd more than 1 petite nana also. They are really tiny, so you would need a little group of 2-4 to make them look good, IMO.

I think you will need more plants than you've planned. I'd go with some crypts for the midground, also....but that's just me.

I also suggest going with the glowlights instead of the rummies because rummies get a little bigger and would be cramped in a 10g, IMO. They are very active, unlike the glowlights.

[TwoHobbies]

A vote for the Rummy's (personal Favorite)

I also agree with Jchillin, Its harder to have early success with foreground plants in general in a tall tank, any low to medium light stem plant will help build your confidence.

[hb3133]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I was chosing the petite nana's and anubias because they are low light - easy maintence. I am setting up my tank as we speak and it seems so little. How much of the tank substrate should be planted?

[JustOneMore20]

The stem plants will grow and you can spread them out and fill up space. The anubias are slow growers, so I think its best to get a few....atleast for the petite nanas, as they are very small. I would put them together in bunches of 3 plants, depending on how wide they are when you get them.

The dwarf sag should spread pretty fast. It produces runners, so you don't have to trim and replant it.

[hb3133]

Foreground:
1 Anubias coffeefolia
8 dwarf sag

Middle:
4 java ferns
1 red wendtii

Background:
4 anachris

I also have 1 congenis and 1 ceylon that will be ready to pick up on Monday. My question is based on my lighting, 30 watt compact flourescent, for a 10 gallon tank, will I need to use any chemical ferts or Do2? I was trying for a low light-low maintence tank to start. Any help will be greatly appreciate. I also starting with 6 brass tetras and Bio-Spira. I set everything up this afternoon. I am so nervous and worried! Please help!

[MarkP]

Hb- I'm setting up a quite similiar tank right now. The difference so far is that I skimped on the substrate (PFS/Zeolite for CEC/Laterite) and went for a bit more power on the lights (2 of the 20watt walmart bulbs instead of 2 15).

I'm looking at swords and crypts right now, and maybe an algae ball, and going to check out some of the other suggestions others have given you- I've only ever done low light tanks before this, as the expense of lighting and whatnot for my 45 gallon scared me off.

I'd like to clarify one point- I beleive you are planting a 10 gallon with 30 watts of CFL lights, NOT your 20 gallon tall? Some of the advice above seems to relate to 30watts over a 20 tall tank.

You mentioned Co2 and Ferts- I'm planning on doing it for my tank, and I beleive you'll want to as well. Tomorrow, in fact, if I can find some caulk, I'm going to build the Co2 system. Airline, coke bottle, and an unused terra cotta saucer- Can't be very hard or expensive.

I have to fertilize the 45gallon, rather more often then I thought I would, actually, I'm sure the ten gallon will require it fairly often. Get a good test kit- That freshwater master probably isn't going to cut it. I've been basically "guessing" as to trace levels- There has to be a better way.

Good luck- I'll be buying my plants for it thursday (after the laterite settles) and maybe we can learn together.

[hb3133]

I have been told that both smaller and larger tanks go by a different formula when determining the WPG rule. I don't know if its true. I want and NEED a low maintence tank. I wish I had more time to put into it. I work full-time as a Veterinary Tech, have a 3 year old and 4 month old. Luckily my wife likes the tanks or I would be screwed. Anyways, the LFS said I might need some Flourish excel or an all-in-one supplement. Any thoughts?