New to heavily planted tanks - need advice

[captainGregor]

I am planning on setting up a 10 gallon heavily planted tank. I already have the 55 with some plants and fish so I am not a newbie. I need an advice on properly setting up this one so any input and help will be appreciated. I currently have:
1. The tank and DIY stand
2. Glass top, incandescent strip where I will put 2 CF bulbs at 5000K with total wattage not to exceed 25 watts. (probably will use single 23W CF maybe)
3. Eco-Complete substrate (25 lbs)

I need an advice on filtration. I know I do not need surface agitation so I was wondering that canister, even the smallest one, will be at least 125GPH. My good LFS recommended setting a big sponge with powerhead and that is it. What do you guys think? I will have maybe some cardinal tetras, couple of corys or something, so it will have fish.
I do not have any CO system of any kind so I will try without one and see how that goes.

Please advise.

 

[BrianNY]

Hiya Capt. I'm trying to picture a big sponge in a 10g tank. The image doesn't seem so appealing to me (LOL). Perhaps a small corner sponge with a powerhead. But, if it were me I'd try using the cannister.

What plants are you going to try and grow?

 

[captainGregor]

Have no idea yet Brian. I would like to find a nice aquascape design on the net with the description of the species and try to follow that. You are right about the big sponge. I was referring to a round stackable sponges I can get on bigals. I could potentially hide it in the corner and mask is with stones, driftwood, etc.
As far as canisters go - i just don't know whether I want to spend the $40+shipping on a smallest Fluval they have for a 10 gallon tank. Seems a little excessive, does it not? I would for a 20G long, but I have already built a stand for 10.

 

[BrianNY]

OK, I get the picture . I think before you decide on a filter you should plan exactly what kind of look you are going for. I just like the cannisters in a planted tank because it gives you so many options., and takes up such little space.

 

[TankGirl]

An internal sponge filter in a 10 takes up a lot of room. I think you would be fine (and I have done this in a heavily planted 10gal with great success) with a small HOB, like an Aquaclear or Whisper, as they do not have a Biowheel and if you keep your water level up there will not be splashing. They are cheap, as well. A Hagen CO2 system is perfect for a 10-gal, with a ladder diffuser. I think you could have a very nice setup like that, and what you describe should work great.