10 gallon planted advice

[Addict]

So this will be my first 'real' planted tank. I don't count my 7.5 since it just has 2 plants in it. This tank will house my 3 pristella tetras and 4 asian filter shrimp.

I plan on getting the 2x13w light fixture from ahsupply.com. The substrate is fluorite mixed with a little bit of small pebbles.

I'm also wanting to add CO2 as well. Since I'm just getting into this, I was thinking of getting the Hagen Natural Co2 system (LINK (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0295&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1176576471333&itemNo=7&In=Fish&N=2030065&Ne=2)). While I was there last night I saw that they had a system by Hydor called Green NRG (LINK (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444181 5287&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1176576471154&itemNo=2&In=Fish&N=2030065&Ne=2)). Anyone have any info on this one? It has some sort of 'power' diffuser in the kit. It's also $20 more than the Hagen kit. I know I can make my own refills for the Hagen kit, so I'm not buying those little packets. I know there's a good bit of DIY CO2 stuff out there and I plan on trying that out once I get a better grasp on the basics.

Also, what about fertilizers? I saw a site posted where I can buy ferts that everyone seemed to agree were excellent, but I can't find it now.

I picked up the Penguin 100B with the Bio-Wheel since I've always had good luck with Marineland. I need to be able to create a decent current for my shrimp (the Tetras seem to like it too). The other option was the AquaClear 150/30. Thoughts?

I think that's it for now.:) I've already got the fluorite rinsed and on the tank with some water, heater and just a whisper 10i to help remove the rest of the fluorite dust. Just have to pick out some plants, maybe some diftwood, and order my lights.
<---slightly excited

[Miyavism]

I've seen the Hydor diffuser before but I don't have any experience with it. I do have a Hagen bubble ladder with a DIY CO2 reactor hooked up to it, and it works perfectly fine.

For dry ferts I would suggest Greg Watson's: http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/

[Addict]

So I was set to order the 2x13w setup from ahsupply.com, but now I can't decide. Either the 2x13 or the 1x36? It says the 1x36 will fit over a 10 gallon.

Just read Rex Grigg's MLT article (http://www.rexgrigg.com/mlt.html) and I think I'm more confused now. It says take your surface area (2000) and multiply it by the desired LSI and then divide that by the lux rating of the light. I'm looking at the 6700k lights from ahuspply.com. Am I to assume that the 75,000 number in the article is the lux rating?

[galen]

hmmm. well, if you plan on growing low light plants, then you might want to consider a simple incandescent hood (12.99 online price from petsmart) and then go to like the home depot and pick up 2 cf (compact fluorescent) bulbs. they are like 5 dollars each for the 5500 k ones.
i am using these right now on my ten gallon tank. it has been successful, as my rangeri sword has sprouted 2 plantlets on a stem. the only thinsg i add are planttabs and tetra floradose once a week. it seems to be working well for me, as the amazon sword, anubia, and anacharis all seem to be doing very well. that's just another option i wanted to put on the table for you.

[Addict]

hmmm. well, if you plan on growing low light plants, then you might want to consider a simple incandescent hood (12.99 online price from petsmart) and then go to like the home depot and pick up 2 cf (compact fluorescent) bulbs. they are like 5 dollars each for the 5500 k ones.
How many watts are those CF bulbs you have?

I guess this could be an option. I'd really don't want to limit myself to low light only though. Decisions, decisions....

[GirlieGirl8521]

I guess this could be an option. I'd really don't want to limit myself to low light only though. Decisions, decisions
With 2x13w over a 10g you will be limited to low light only....

I'd get atleast the 1x36w to have a good selection of plants.

[Addict]

With 2x13w over a 10g you will be limited to low light only....

I'd get atleast the 1x36w to have a good selection of plants.

Kind of my thought there. I didn't think I could really go wrong with the 36w fixture. The 2x36 supposedly fits over a 10 gallon but that might be too much to start out with.

[GirlieGirl8521]

The 2x36 supposedly fits over a 10 gallon but that might be too much to start out with.

I agree....thats too much unless you are injecting pressurized co2 and using ferts. It would be an algae paradise with that much light, no co2, and no ferts.

With the 1x36w and excellent reflector from AH, you'll have alot of plant choices, and can get by with Excel or DIY CO2.

[Addict]

With the 1x36w and excellent reflector from AH, you'll have alot of plant choices, and can get by with Excel or DIY CO2.
1x36w it is then. I bought the Hagen natural Co2 system. Looks to me like it should work fine. I read over Rex Grigg's CO2 section and he seemed to like the diffuser portion of the kit. So I figure I'll start there.

[galen]

if cost is no issue, then by all means go for the light strip with greater output. however, with mine, i have grown my swords and have seevral rangeri sword plantlets on just 2 9 watt cf bulbs. it works fine for me. of course though, with the more elaborate set-ups seen in ppls galleries and such of an underwater jungle lush with plants, then the higher lighting is a must.

[Addict]

I bought the 1x36w fixture and 6700k bulb last night from ahsupply.com. Once that gets in I'll be getting started on the hood to mount it in. Eventually I'll be building a stand to go with all of this.

Now I just need to pick out the plants. I figured I would wait just a bit until ahsupply tells me they've shipped my fixture since the plants will arrive next day (or 2 day at the latest). So many choices!