ok, first things first. An HOB is short for a hang on back filter, it hangs on the back of the tank. personally I prefer aquaclear, the aquaclear 20 should be good for a 10 gallon. If you get one of these filters buy an extra sponge, and save the carbon insert for when you'll need it.
Cycling: there is a good sticky(in the newby forum I think) on cycling. the best and quickest thing to do is get the sponge out of an already established aquariums filter and put it in your tank for a week or two at the same time you add fish. after a week or two your filter should have enough bacteria to be good on it's own, then return the sponge you borrowed.
If you cant do this, sut up your tank, complete with deco, plants, etc. then start cycling by either the fishless method or get 3 or 4 giant danios if you are doing a fishy cycle. most lfs let you return them when you are done cycling.
plants: I would recomed getting a couple of java ferns, and an anubius plant or two. both can be attached to rocks or driftwood using a zip tie or rubberband. after about a month the roots will have attached themselves and you can take off the ziptie or rubberband. I recomend these plants because they will grow under any lighting condition and need no extra care. they will help with the cycle as well as be a small natural filter, and your fish will love them, as well as you if you are going for the natural look.
skip the siamese and the goldfish. goldfish are coldwater and won't be compatible with the other tropical fish. and siamese algea eaters aren't very good.
Otos: short for ototiculus catfish. google them on the internet to get more info, they stay small and are great algea eaters.
use whatever gravel you like, personally I don't think black is very natural looking, but it's your tank.
Oh yeah, one last thing, the aquaclear filter will provide mechanical (sponge) and biological (bioballs, and sponge) filtration. the carbon pack that I told you not to put in would provide chemical filtration, this is only needed if your tank is cloudy, or you want to remove medications. besides carbon only last a couple weeks, so only put it in when you need it, then take it out after a few weeks because it is no longer effective, I would rather have an extra sponge in it's place for more mech. and bio. filtration.
Oh, and you will also need a heater for this tank. I didn't know if you already knew that or not.
Hope this help curb some of your confusion a little. if you have any more questions just ask.
Cycling: there is a good sticky(in the newby forum I think) on cycling. the best and quickest thing to do is get the sponge out of an already established aquariums filter and put it in your tank for a week or two at the same time you add fish. after a week or two your filter should have enough bacteria to be good on it's own, then return the sponge you borrowed.
If you cant do this, sut up your tank, complete with deco, plants, etc. then start cycling by either the fishless method or get 3 or 4 giant danios if you are doing a fishy cycle. most lfs let you return them when you are done cycling.
plants: I would recomed getting a couple of java ferns, and an anubius plant or two. both can be attached to rocks or driftwood using a zip tie or rubberband. after about a month the roots will have attached themselves and you can take off the ziptie or rubberband. I recomend these plants because they will grow under any lighting condition and need no extra care. they will help with the cycle as well as be a small natural filter, and your fish will love them, as well as you if you are going for the natural look.
skip the siamese and the goldfish. goldfish are coldwater and won't be compatible with the other tropical fish. and siamese algea eaters aren't very good.
Otos: short for ototiculus catfish. google them on the internet to get more info, they stay small and are great algea eaters.
use whatever gravel you like, personally I don't think black is very natural looking, but it's your tank.
Oh yeah, one last thing, the aquaclear filter will provide mechanical (sponge) and biological (bioballs, and sponge) filtration. the carbon pack that I told you not to put in would provide chemical filtration, this is only needed if your tank is cloudy, or you want to remove medications. besides carbon only last a couple weeks, so only put it in when you need it, then take it out after a few weeks because it is no longer effective, I would rather have an extra sponge in it's place for more mech. and bio. filtration.
Oh, and you will also need a heater for this tank. I didn't know if you already knew that or not.
Hope this help curb some of your confusion a little. if you have any more questions just ask.
& your pics were GREAT!!
