The Plan

[Red Tar]

Setting up a 10 Gal Fresh in my office since I'm here 10 or more hours a day I might as well enjoy my fish all day even though I need to keep it small. I have a flora glo neon light and I'm trying to get some florite as a substrate.

But what to fish to choose. I started off thinking only basic community fish, a couple of platy's, a few danios or cardinal tetras and some corydoras. But the more web site and book reading I do the more I 1) don't trust everything the guy at the pet store says, and 2) think I want to do fewer fist but not as basic. So here's my plan and I welcome comment.

After water is running throught the filter and I have the PH and temp right, I'll add a few easy beginner plants such as Egrin Densa, Java Fern and Japanese Dwarf Rush. (later maybe some Oselot sword if my ohter plants are doing ok.) I also have a few plastic plants to make sure the fish feel comfortable if the real ones don't do so good).
First Fish will be 3 (1m and 2F)Sunset Plattys. After about 2 weeks I want to add either 2 Panda or White Corydora's. Next will be a pair of dwarf Gourami's.
That may be my limit although I'd also like to add a Beta some time later which should be ok with the other fish.
I'm hoping the live plants, light management, and general cleaning will keep down the algae without chemicals or the need for algae eaters.
Is this a sound plan? Any comments on adding the Beta?
Erik

[Alf]

System sound good. I can't comment on the fish. But good luck. Let us know how it works out. Maybe some one else will have some thoughts

[Red Tar]

Thanks, I'm actually kind of jazzed. I got tired of waiting for the floruite so I used some laterite in the lower parr of the substrate and covered it over with another layer. since there is no UGF there doesn't seem to be a clouding problem. The PH was high (bet 7.5 and 8) so I put a little ph decrease in the same time I put some Cycle Brand water conditioner. Now I'll let it run for a couple of days.

No problem with the AquaClear filter, started right up but I am a little disappointed in the Elite 799 air pump, sure is noisy even sitting on a rubber mouse pad. There is certainly an art to putting in even plastic plants without digging up the whole substrate.

Next week, maybe a few live plants and then first fish.

There are a lot of small bubbles on the gravel and glass sides. I'm sure this is just the air in the water since I did my best to airate it when getting it from the faucet.

Thanks for all the answers and responses to my and others questions, very infomative.

Erik

[Alf]

The bubbles are normal. They will pass in a few days.

[Red Tar]

Thanks, The water has taken on a slight haze. There are no real particals to be seen. I am treating it with some PH decrese to bring the PH down to betwen 7 and 7.5. I've just unplugged the Elite air pump because it's just too noisy and is giving me a headach. I'll have to figure something else out for that. Temp is about 76 and I'm trying to bring it down a few degrees. I've also put in a small capful (remomended dosage) of Cycle and Aqua Plus Tap Water Conditioner. Is the Haze just things reacting to each other until it finds a ballance?
Also, I'm getting ready to put in a few live plants, how do you feel about "Flouish" plant food.

[Alf]

the haze will probably pass as well after the filtration cleans your water. A little carbon will help. But they do make a additive to clear your water right up. Cost a couple of bucks for the treatment.
There is a product called Proper PH best stuff i ever used in the FW Aquarium. It will say Proper pH 7.5. Cheap stuff too. Just follow the directions dose a couple times if need be an there you go done. ;)

Tell you the truth I haven't done live plants in A FW sytem in years. I couldn't tell you what is best. I only keep one 20 gal FW tank now. It's has a few nice fish, but here lately it's turned into a storage tank for feeder guppies. I'm breeding them for Treats for my Seahorses and Dwarf Lion fish. They love them :D
If Eric stops in he could help probably on that question. But I haven't seen him around in a while. Hopefuly he'll see this and chime in. He's better at the fresh water side than me.

[Red Tar]

Thanks for the advice. I was worried about the haze. I have an aqua clear filter with a carbon pack in it so that should help. I appreciate the recomendation on your favorit chem ballance since there are so many to choose from.

Do you think that just using the filter (Aqua Clear Mini) in a little 10 GA without a seperate air pump and stone will be a problem? The pump is just too noisy for my office (It interferes with the Pink Floyd.)

Erik (Red Tar)

[Alf]

I don't see why not. i use a power filter alone on my FW tank as well. Before i broke my last ten gal tank down and turned into a Q-tine tank. I used a power filter rated for a 20 gal tank, It had UGF in it but i got tired of the pumps my self so i un hooked them. Make sure when you do water changes to vacume the gravel well. And do regular water changes. Keep the Bio-Load low and should do fine.