Joey2619
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hey guys. I just picked up a 10g and a 20g long tank the other day. I'm looking to put the 10g setup on my desk, and do a planted shrimp tank. Currently, I have the stock hood/lighting on the 10g, and I'm looking to get a bit more light out of it without dropping tons of money at this point.
So my questions are:
1. If I gut the stock lighting assembly, and throw a double incadencent light socket in there, and put two spiral CFLs in there from Home Depot/Walmart, will that be enough for now?
I was thinking about doing two of these
EcoSmart 14 Watt (60W) Daylight, 4 Pack (E)* - ES5M814450K at The Home Depot
or two of these
EcoSmart 27 Watt (100W) Daylight, 2 Pack (E)* - ES5M827250K at The Home Depot
2. The next question is, how do these lights fare against regular T5 output? I mean, the spirals, they don't produce the best light I'm sure, can someone shed some light on this? I searched but didn't find any conclusive answers, but I figured this would be a great, easy, cheap way to start.
3. I'm going to pickup some Flourite Black sand possibly today, they come in 15lb bags, how many would I need for the 10g?
4. What's my best shot with filtration?
5. Do I need any air pumps or anything like that?
6. I plan to cycle the tank with pure ammonia if I can find it locally. During the cycling process, I'll order some plants and throw them in there. How long after the cycle process is complete can I then put RCS in there?
7. What about nutients and ferts?
8. Anything else I should be aware of?
9. I also have driftwood and various other things in my 75g, the tank has been set up for 10 years now, and hasn't ever needed to be torn down, no issues with it ever. Could I take some of the objects out of there, possibly some gravel, and cut down the time for cycling in the 10g tank? Any more info?
Thanks!
Once I get this tank down pat, I have a 75g bow and 20g long waiting for some love!
So my questions are:
1. If I gut the stock lighting assembly, and throw a double incadencent light socket in there, and put two spiral CFLs in there from Home Depot/Walmart, will that be enough for now?
I was thinking about doing two of these
EcoSmart 14 Watt (60W) Daylight, 4 Pack (E)* - ES5M814450K at The Home Depot
or two of these
EcoSmart 27 Watt (100W) Daylight, 2 Pack (E)* - ES5M827250K at The Home Depot
2. The next question is, how do these lights fare against regular T5 output? I mean, the spirals, they don't produce the best light I'm sure, can someone shed some light on this? I searched but didn't find any conclusive answers, but I figured this would be a great, easy, cheap way to start.
3. I'm going to pickup some Flourite Black sand possibly today, they come in 15lb bags, how many would I need for the 10g?
4. What's my best shot with filtration?
5. Do I need any air pumps or anything like that?
6. I plan to cycle the tank with pure ammonia if I can find it locally. During the cycling process, I'll order some plants and throw them in there. How long after the cycle process is complete can I then put RCS in there?
7. What about nutients and ferts?
8. Anything else I should be aware of?
9. I also have driftwood and various other things in my 75g, the tank has been set up for 10 years now, and hasn't ever needed to be torn down, no issues with it ever. Could I take some of the objects out of there, possibly some gravel, and cut down the time for cycling in the 10g tank? Any more info?
Thanks!
Once I get this tank down pat, I have a 75g bow and 20g long waiting for some love!