10g Tank Plan - I need your help

[Deathwish238]

I want to set up a 10g aquarium. Originally I wanted saltwater, but freshwater is much cheaper and I'm on a budget.


I already have a 10g AGA, a hood with what looks like incandescent lighting, a filter of some sort, a few filters, a heater, and blue gravel. I bought it used off of craigslist. I can get more info if needed. Any other basics I need? I know I need dechlor...


Here's my plan:

Livestock:
1 Twin Tail Betta
8 Neon Tetras
10 Ghost Shrimp
1 Red Cherry Shrimp
1 Red Crystal Shrimp
1 Olive Nertiva Snail
1 Clam

Plants:
???


Substrate:
Ecocomplete

Would two snails be better?
Any pros/cons associated with clams?

What filter is recommeded for a 10g?
Is it possible to get away without a filter and rely on plants/inverts instead?

Which substrate is best? Ecocomplete seems to be commonly used, but I'm not sure what to go with.

I have no idea what plants I want. Do Bettas and/or Neons prefer some plants in particular? I like the Anacharis, Cabomba, Anubias hastifolia, and Dwarf Sagittari as well. My problem is, I do not want to spend lots of $$$ on lighting. Lighting gets expensive quickly and I don't want to have to invest in T5s or Halites. I'm hoping I throw some flourescent bulbs in the hood I have...but I may be dreaming.


Last question, I know with saltwater tanks having a sump or refugium is benefical...does this hold true for freshwater as well? I'm thinking about partioning the tank and creating a sump/refugium in the side if so.

 

[Rbishop]

What kind of filter do you already have, since you mentioned it? Skip the clam.

 

[williedee]

you will probably want to switch out the incandesent bulbs with some compact flouresents.

 

[Deathwish238]

What kind of filter do you already have, since you mentioned it? Skip the clam.

The filter is made by a company called Tetra and it is labeled as Model T1 on the bottom of the pump. My guess is that it's a Whisper Filter, but I'm not 100% sure as it looks like the top cover of the filter is missing. There is a filter insert that was included and it does say Whisper on it as does the heater.

you will probably want to switch out the incandesent bulbs with some compact flouresents.

I figure I just need to get any fluorescent that will fit around 6000K. From what I read, I want to try and get around 2W/gallon, what's the most I should run on a 10g? The hood needs tubular bulbs it says but it looks like a standard light bulb screw in and says 25W bulb max.

 

[nh5]

skip the clam and the ghost shrimp just get 10red cherries

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

a)The neons, from what I hear, are too frenetic for a ten gallon. With Bettas it is hit and miss about how they will react to tankmates. I would suggest sticking with cherry shrimp, as ghost shrimp can be grabby and all shrimp benefit from a school. Better to have just one school

b)Anubias, crypts, water sprite(grows large), anacharis(grows large), vals, bacopa, hornwort(grows large) java fern and moss are some good lowlight plants

c)Most people will reccomend an Aquaclear 20, penguin 100, tom rapids mini canister or hydro sponge filter. You can't get away without a filter unless you have a walstad tank.

d)buy a light at home depot, others will help you there.

As others have said, skip the clam.

 

[Deathwish238]

skip the clam and the ghost shrimp just get 10red cherries

Well 10 red cherries = $50, 10 ghost = $12. Big difference in price, is it worth it? What if I were to do 5 of each? That way each has a school and cost goes down a bit.

a)The neons, from what I hear, are too frenetic for a ten gallon. With Bettas it is hit and miss about how they will react to tankmates. I would suggest sticking with cherry shrimp, as ghost shrimp can be grabby and all shrimp benefit from a school. Better to have just one school

So you think Neons need a bigger tank? What if I just had less of them? I don't care for Corys...they bore me...perhaps I need to see some in person. What are alternatives to tetras that are colorful?


What do you mean by "grabby"?

b)Anubias, crypts, water sprite(grows large), anacharis(grows large), vals, bacopa, hornwort(grows large) java fern and moss are some good lowlight plants

Cool, I will look more into those

c)Most people will reccomend an Aquaclear 20, penguin 100, tom rapids mini canister or hydro sponge filter. You can't get away without a filter unless you have a walstad tank.

d)buy a light at home depot, others will help you there.

As others have said, skip the clam.

Both the Aquaclear and Penguin look nice.

Any opinion of the Drs. Foster & Smith Bio System Power Filter & Oxy Surface Skimmer?

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

skimmers are not an essential part of a FW tank, and usually don't do much. I've heard of ghost shrimp attacking fish when too hungry, and one ripping off an ADF's leg by accident. I would choose a different species than the neons. Seeing the cories in person really does make a difference, as it's their personalities and wiggle dance which is special. I just posted a list of schoolers on one of these other threads.

Here we go:
For schooling fish try celestial pearl danios, ember tetras, endler's livebearers, guppies(beware, both of these guys may overrun the tank), Boraras or microrasboras, White cloud mountain minnows, small rainbowfish, etc

There are more in the discussion thread in my sig.

 

[Deathwish238]

Okay cool....so I guess I should get the cherries instead of ghost shrimp.

I'll check out Corys at my LFS, see how I like them.

Out of your list of schooling fish, which are not good to keep with a Betta? I don't know which of those are fin nippers

Thanks for all the help everyone

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

not the rainbows or the white clouds.