suggestions for new tank?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank that I want to put a pair of Blue Rams and some Ottos in. I would also like to keep live plants.
specs
10g all glass tank
2 x 15w compact fluorescent bulbs
50w heater
Aquaclear 20 filter
Rena 20 pump w/ airstone

I would like to aquascape but don't want to spend loads of money on substrates. I'm working with a budget of about $100 CAD which has to include the substrate and fish. I have Fluorish and Fluorish Excel.

I really want my aquascape to look like this: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i6/planted_aquascaping/full_size_pics/4-30_front.JPG

He uses eco-complete for the black part and regular river sand for the middle. In my middle of my tank I'm going to have rock work for my Rams.

Any suggestions on substrate types for good plant growth? Suggestions for cost cutting? suggestions in general?

Answer 1

Great looking tank in the picture, I can see why you want one that looks similar. For cost cutting try to find your own rocks. Clean them with a scrub brush and hot water and allow them to set over night in a bowl of water and a cover over the bowl. If there is an oily film the next day, discard that rock. Dry the rock a bit and put a few drops of vinegar on it. If it bubbles or fizzes at all, discard the rock. Any others should be safe for a tank.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about special substrates, all of those plants look like fairly inexpensive plants and also like one's that can make good use of liquid fertilizers. Regular aquarium gravel works well as substrate for those plants.

You will probably need to upgrade your lighting significantly to get really good growth out of the plants, but for now it will probably do ok. I would suggest more like 5-6 watts per gallon for best plant growth.

Remember, most of those plants will reproduce very well in a tank, so buy only a few and let them grow and cover the areas you want covered in time. That alone can save you quite a bit of money up front.

MM

Answer 2

I'm not too brilliant when it comes to plants, but you are going to need alot higher wattage in your bulbs than 15 per bulb to grow any of those plants. You can get them at your local pet store. For substrates, you will want to get some aquarium friendly fertilizer, I can't remember the name of the stuff I have, but you should be able to find some on google or something.

Rocks, you can find anywhere, just don't buy them at the pet store, get them from the local farms or ditches, make sure they are washed well.

Sand is a good substrate to use when dealing with plants, they love to root in the stuff.

On a 100.00 budget, you will spend some on the lights, some of the plants, and substrate, nothing on the rocks, and some on the fish, which in this case aren't too expensive. You should be fine.

Ryan

Answer 3

I would prefer for you to keep all the quipment and get at least a 55 gallon tank. The tank might cost less than $50 and the aquascape will be atleast $40-$50 so that's a $100 budget.

Answer 4

Guppies are good, approximately 3 to 5 could be good. in simple terms make constructive they're male(extra coloration, skinnier our bodies) or you have toddlers, they arrive in all diverse colorations. approximately 3 to 4 neon tetras, a bristle nostril pleco(they stay small and could no longer improve outta the tank) and perhaps approximately 3 mollies(lower back make constructive they're male) in case you circulate to an quite fish save, they are going to be waiting to help you extra suitable then like puppy clever. they might additionally be waiting to tutor you different factor which could circulate interior the tank. could be extremely extra in value, yet in maximum situations, extra suitable fish. they actually guard the fish extra suitable then at those all puppy shops. the topic approximately getting a ill fish is significantly decrease at a fish save, because of the fact that fish are there substantial factor. wish this facilitates. Cyndi

Answer 5

eco-complete is a great substrate for plants . flourite is a pain in the behind to rinse, and will cloud a tank if not rinsed properly before adding to tank .. the thing about rocks you pick yourself is this .. you are goin to have to acid test them to see if they are compatitable for a tank . use muratic acid (found at hard ware store) (cation , this is very acidic, and will eat your skin so dont spill it on you or anything else. ) if you put a drop of the acid on the the rock , and get any sort of reaction (bubbling ) you cant use it in a tank . i would go to a local creek or river to get stones for tanks but still acid test them in several spots . no reaction , then rinse the rock under water , and scrub it clean , you could also boil it to remove crap on it .. the air pump is goin to be conter productive to adding excell to it , since air input removes carbon dioxide from the tank , wich plants need to grow .. as well as the (hang on back of tank filter) as this also creates bubbles that release the gasses your trying to keep in the tank .. look at the picture of what the tank you posted has. it has an internal filtering system , that filters with out much surface tension breaking of the water. this is not a undergravel filter as plants dont do well on UGF's a internal filter will do a great job filtering . as for the lights, are the bulbs that the hood has screw in type bulbs?? if so , your in good shape ,and need to make a quick stop to walmart. go to the lightbulb section , and find compact floresent bulbs wich say DAY LIGHT bulbs. they are cheaper here then pet stores (around 8 bucks), look at the hood to find out the max wattage of bulb you can use in it , and get that wattage but make sure that its a daylight bulb , and not a plant bulb, or atinic wich does nothing for plants..

sand is a good substrate for plants but its difficult to vacumm without sucking it all up, and needing to replace it .

here is a few pictures of the wifes tank with plants in it ..

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/slweins/trinsfins.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/slweins/t138tf.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/slweins/t22.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/slweins/shellies_tank_9_4_06-1.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/slweins/shellies_tank_9_4_06.jpg