Some new tank pics

[deocder]

I put together a new 10 gallon tank this weekend and have a couple of pics to share:

DIY incandescent to power compact conversion. I got the pc lights from home depot. It would have been cheaper and a better product to get them from ahsupply.com but I did not figure that out until it was completed.

The tank with Onyx sand, african root wood, filter, and a fresh batch of mulm.

Right after planting and filling. I put the plants in the back until it clears up and I can scape it better.

About an hour after the last pic. The floating plant will be the low level, capet type when i plant them.

So what kinds of plants are these? I'm not totally sure, my LFS helped me pic them. I know there's a bunch of wisteria, indica, sunset hygro (i think), and babys tears. I'm not sure what the rest of them are, I will have to look them up.

I have no idea how many watts the lights are, I speculate somewhere between 18 and 26 watts total....I've orderd two 13 watt 6.4k bulbs to replace the originals.

I know CO2 supplimentation is probable with this light.....but when should I start it?

I also have a bottle of Flourish and Flourish Iron....not sure when to begin supplimentation either.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my project. I've been scouring the forums learning a lot, but I still have lots to learn....

Happy Memorial Day!

 

[125gJoe]

Keep an eye on that light fixture - or a hand on it....
Make sure it's not too hot.

 

[Starry]

>> I know CO2 supplimentation is probable with this light.....but when should I start it?

as soon as possible, don't wait for the algae

>> I also have a bottle of Flourish and Flourish Iron....not sure when to begin supplimentation either.

Start now as well, but at a lower dose than recommended. Work up to the recommended dose within a month or so. And do weekly 30-50% water changes.
Also note that iron dosing is more effective if you dose smaller amounts more often. But don't exceed more than 1 mL total per week on your 10 gallon. I don't use Flourish, but I'm assuming it also has iron, since it's a trace mix.
Look into getting potassium as well. Seachem's will become very expensive (you need to dose more than they recommend on the bottle - this applies only to the potassium). Try to find an alternative instead, like NoSalt (try a search of past threads for more options.)

Good luck

 

[deocder]

A quick update after 1 week of operation. The tank looks good....

I am seeing growth on many of the plants. Today I did a 35% water change, added Flourish, Flourish Iron, and Flourish excel. The first inhabitants are 2 Ghost Shrimp. I am not sure whoelse will live in there....I plan on getting 2 Panda or Pygmy Cory's and 1 Otto. Maybe some dwarf puffers....or glassfish, or neons.....i dunno.