Starting over. Going small but in a big way.

[Finster]

I moved into a very small home about a year and a half ago. Before that, I had a 55 gallon that I kept larger Cichlids in over the years. I really need to get back into the hobby, but I only have space for a 10 gallon, maybe a 15 if I really try. So I'm planning on maybe just a pair of GBR's.

If I go with a 15 gallon, I can probably find a canister filter I like, but if I go with the 10, I'm thinking of making my own. I'd like to use a cat litter bucket with an inlet in the top, foam pads, a lot of pot scrubbers and bio media. a space on the bottom for the submersible pump, and a heater.

Couple of questions reguarding a canister of this size. First, does anyone know where I might get foam media in big enough sheets to fit to size? And second, I need a recomendation for a pump that's not so strong that it would blow a pair of GBR's out of a 10 gallon.

I'm sure I'll have more questions later, but answers to these 2 questions should get me to the actual planning stage.

Thanks. I appreciate any help and opinions offered.
Joe

 

[Eupterus]

A twenty high will give you the same footprint of a ten. As for a canister, what about those hang on the side of the tank models?.

 

[jpappy789]

If you're going with a pair of blue rams, the 15 gallon is about the smallest option I would recommend. The footprint of a 10/20H is doable but the more bottom space the better.

 

[blue2fyre]

A 20 gallon high has the same footprint of a 15 gallon. A 20 gallon extra high has the same footprint as a 10 gallon.

 

[jpappy789]

A 20 gallon high has the same footprint of a 15 gallon. A 20 gallon extra high has the same footprint as a 10 gallon.

You're right. My mistake :wall: