[oakleyhoma]

OK, your post is clear, thanks. So maybe I don't need a new HOB. I could just get a Rena 400 (??), a Hydro II (or next larger maybe) and put the air pump in a little box or something if it's noisy. If I don't like the blurb, blurb from the large bubbles produced, I can get a compatible, quiet air stone for it. But I have one other question: since it'll be a smallish tank and I want to be able to see the shrimp well, I'd be thinking "some plants" but not too many. I'm thinking a tiny driftwood just off center with one (two at most) java fern, I do hope to use mesh to make moss sidewalls (where it's to be located, you can't view the tank from the sides anyway). Oh, and a black tank background and black substrate, probably sand, maybe flourite black sand, for a limited amount of carpet (such as guppy grass/Najas or something easy and low light). Guess I could also keep a little floating hornwort in there for extra nitrate removal (except it would block light from my already skimpy 15W fixture). So really, my question is How many plants and what type does it take in a 10g to have them benefit water quality "enough" but also not turn the tank into an overcrowded "sponge/plant jungle"?