10 Gallon aquarium help

[Snype2live]

Well I have just gotten a 10 gallon aquarium from somebody, who was going to throw it away. I brought it home, and put a extra Aquaclear50 I had on it (because I like to collect aquarium stuff), an extra tetra 5-15 heater, and some spare sand. Well I didn't have a back ground so I made one out of painters tape. It looks decent I think. I took the old bad incandescent bulbs out of it, and put in 2 new general electric 13 watt bulbs in the 6500k color spectrum. Well I plan on doing a fish-less cycle. The evaporation is about 1-4 inch every 5 days. Is that bad? Also I absolutely love the Zebra rocks at my local fish store. Anyone had any experience with these in a aquarium? Also should I wait till i can pick up the hardscape before I start my cycling? Last question what should I do with this tank with it's current configuration as I don't want to change it really, I am going to add more sand and a rock hardscape, will be willing to buy plants and SOME flourish excel or something.

 

[librarygirl]

Not sure on the rocks but I"ve seen them in tanks. There are a few types of zebra rock though. I'd test it with white vinegar if you get some; if it fizzes, don't use it. Also soak them in a bucket and test PH over the course of a few days and see if the rock affects PH at all.

You can add decor any time during cycling, so no worries there.

 

[Snype2live]

well i have had one in my community tank for a while (you helped me some back on it) and it doesnt seem to raise ph any.