My First Journal - 10 Gallon Planted

[jmm197]

So this is my 1st journal. It's a 10 gallon and has 26 watts of compact fluorescent spirals and 18 watts of t-5. So I guess around 4 WPG. I don't want to run CO2 or dose excel because I want this to be a shrimp tank, and I'm not comfortable enough with CO2 yet. So I guess I just wont have a long photo period, and/or just use the 26 watts of spiral CF to keep algae down and forget the 18 watt t-5. What do you think?

I probably will use flourish comprehensive. It is safe for shrimp isn't it?

The substrate is pool filter sand in front of the driftwood, and fluorite behind it. I put the PFS in the front because I like the look, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to grow a carpet with this set-up anyway. Right?

I used the fourite in back because I want to grow some needle/narrow leaf java ferns and crypts back there and I figured they would need it.

This tank has been cycling for 4 days, and the only thing I have been able to add so far is some java moss tied to the wood. I'm going (driving an hour and a half) to a good LFS (to get my EHEIM 2217 for my 75 gallon)so I hope to come home with some nice stuff for this tank.

Now here are the first pics, any ideas on scaping or plants to look for are appreciated!

 

[coach_z]

looks good! i like the setup a lot!

i would lower your heater though so it is fully submerged so that you don't have to worry about it cracking when you do a a water change

 

[Jaykit]

Looks good so far. I might remove the larger rocks in the back corners but thats just me.

I would suggest just running 1 fixture(t5) and getting rid of the other because the plants you are talking about keeping are not going to require anywhere near the 4 wpg nor does any tank need that much. You would be okay with 1.5wpg for java moss, java fern, and crypts you suggested. You can gorw pretty much anything you want with 2-2.5wpg and the right balance of chemicals/CO2. You also want to enjoy your tank for more that 2 hours a day right?

The flourite will have some nutrients in it but if they are not regularly replaced they will diminish and your plants will suffer.

I have shrimp in my planted tank and inject CO2 and they seem even more happy than my fish. I also use dry ferts in that same tank with no ill effects to any occupants but have had no experience with shrimp and flourish products.

 

[rich311k]

Nice start. It should grow in nicely.

 

[Death Pony]

Very nice piece of driftwood! This will look awesome, can't wait for more updates.

 

[jpappy789]

I love that wood!

 

[Death Pony]

I'd move some of the rocks to the front, just to break up the sand. Here's what I'd do for plants;

-Red crypt wendtii in the back right
-Ludwigia repens as the background
-Java ferns placed sparsely on the wood
-Anubias minima or lanceolata on back left
-maybe Cabomba on edges as a border plant

 

[FISHSHROD]

Paint job ?

 

[satanpie]

I like it alot, its very natural looking very cool

 

[jmm197]

Thank you all for the kind comments!!!

Jaykit, Thanks! I have decided to use DIY CO2 & dry ferts. Any advice you can give out on either of those things would be greatly appreciated. I've never dosed dry ferts before, and other time I tried DIY CO2 I had a really hard time keeping the p.h. stable.


Well, I found lace and regular java fern and elodea for the background, and a banana plant. I'll add in some more things as I get them. I also couldn't pass up some micro sword they had. I know it's supposed to need a lot of light, so I hope it does good for me! I added more fluorite in the front and even planted some in some fluorite up on the driftwood to get it closer to the light. I added a pic of the planted micro sword. Do you think it will grow like that?

Here are updated pics.