Oh dear...what filter?

[mtdewlover]

So I'm adding plants to my ten gallon tank. I have six Danios and one Chinese algae eater. Can I add more fish in there? Anyways, i'm adding plants. A bit confused on what filter and lighting I should use. I know I need a canister filter but how big? I want to get those assemble yourself lights you buy offline with the mirror looking things around the bulb. Any ideas what those are called and if they are a good choice? I only have regular gravel, will this be ok for a planted tank? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Alicia

 

[oyashare]

Look at the smallest eheim canister, or fluval for your 10 gallon. as for lights, go to www.ahsupply.com and a total of 30 watts or more, if you want to keep plants that require a lot of lights. Good luck.

Omid

 

[wetmanNY]

Unless you want the canister filter for esthetic reasons, to hide it in the cabinet-stand and not see it, I think a ten-gallon tank is small for a canister filter. Is the hang-on-tank filter too clunky-looking?

Is the word you're searching for "reflector?" (not being a smarty: sometimes the simplest words um.. what is it they do to me...like when a dog's off the leash?)

 

[djlen]

Alicia, you might consider Seachem's Flourite for your substate. It's, IMO, the best for plants although somewhat expensive, but for a ten gallon you only need one bag. Your plants will thank you. When mentioning your fish you said you have a Chinese Algae Eater. Are you sure it's not a Siamese Algae Eater. I just went through an extensive search for SAE's because everything I've heard about the CAE's has been negative. So I hope it's the SAE that you have.
As previously mentioned 3 watts per gallon is the rule of thumb. I agree with Wetman regarding your choice of filters......you might look into an AquaClear Mini, or AC 200 for a tank that small, the Mini being the better choice.
Hope this has helped....
Len

 

[Jared]

With small (and large) tanks you can relax the watts/gal. I wouldn't use 30 watts on a 10 gal.

Jared

 

[RTR]

Wetman will tease me, but I do use the smallest Ehein Classic canisters on 10s and 15s routinely. It is the 2211.

 

[mtdewlover]

Yes I do have a Chinese Algae Eater. I have had not a single problem with him. I have buried him in gravel, he got smashed under my castle during cleaning, and he keeps the tank very clean. I love him. As for the canister filter, I was just told for a planted tank I needed a canister filter. By all means if I don't need one I won't get one.

 

[static69static]

I have had two 10 gallon setups, and fixin to set it up again

check out my website for some good info on setting it up. I have stuff on lights, DIY co2 and setting the tank up

www.angelfire.com/tx5/myaquariumsite