new 10 gal-dont know what to do

[mrmarine]

hey im new to fresh water and i just got a 10 gallon tank and i have some questions

1-what do you do to cycle,how long does it take,do you need ro water or tap water then dechlorinator??

2- can you put sand in like crushed coral or just stick to the stones??

3- do you need alot of light?

4-do you have to vaccum the substrate or can you just stir it up and let the filter get it??

5- how often for water changes??

Thanks,

Mr. Marine

 

[Menagerie]

1-what do you do to cycle,how long does it take,do you need ro water or tap water then dechlorinator??
2- can you put sand in like crushed coral or just stick to the stones??
3- do you need alot of light?
4-do you have to vaccum the substrate or can you just stir it up and let the filter get it??
5- how often for water changes??

1-You can do fishless or cycle with fish--articles in the article section.
No ro water needed, I just add tap water and then declor.
2-depends on the type of fish you want to keep. There is substrate made with sand, sand with shell, rock and shell, just rock.... If you need to raise your pH go with some shell, but wait until you decide on your fish.
3-No, unless you want plants, but even some of them are good for low lit tanks
4and 5-Vacuum weekly (or so) to remove waste and do a 25% water change.