[sarahbear1214]

So i finally figured out how I want to redo my 10gal tank.

I want to do an iwagumi style tank with a hairgrass carpet and maybe have some shrimp and tettras or a betta...I havent really decided yet but I will worry about that later when its time to stock.

For light I have two 23w CFLs in dome clamp lamps and my filter is an Aquaclear for a 20 gal.

For substrate I will be ordering black CaribSea eco complete
I want to do a dry start method to get my carpet filled in mostly but was wondering if CO2 will be needed to maintain the carpet once I flood the tank? If so are any of these good options?

http://www.amazon.com/Gulfstream-Tr...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1354232126&sr=1-48&keywords=co2

http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Nutrafi...es&ie=UTF8&qid=1354329585&sr=1-2&keywords=co2

http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Mini-P...es&ie=UTF8&qid=1354329646&sr=1-4&keywords=co2

Also is this enough lighting to maybe grow some plants with red color?

 

[tylergvolk]

From my personal experience with co2, its go big or go home.

I would look on Craigslist or ebay for a decent regulator and cylinder; however, a 10g tank is pretty small and you might be able to get by its DIY co2 made at home.

 

[ngrubich]

The first link looks just like an aerosol can: I don't know how you would be able to control it without spraying out a ton of CO2 at once. But then again, there may be a valve or something.
The second link is just a glorified DIY CO2 kit. The only nice thing is the CO2 ladder, which holds the CO2 bubbles down in the tank so they can diffuse into the water better. I think a DIY hooked up to an airstone/chopstick would give you better diffusion (personal experience with this kit).
The third link is essentially a mini paintball kit. Those are nice because the 20g tanks can be purchased in the air rifle secting of WalMart or Bass Pro for like $12 for a 25pk. What sucks is that the tanks will burn out fairly quickly, meaning you'll have to change them quite often (so the kit will cost you a fair bit in the long run).

Just like Tyler said, if you want to go all-out, get a regulator/tank from Craigslist. You can even find the normal paintball-sized tanks (24oz, etc.)with the regulators for fairly cheap.
If you like messing with your tank a lot, then a DIY CO2 system works just as well, but you can't really control the flow rate of the CO2.

 

[Stinkmonky]

Don’t use the fluval co2 kit. Came with my fluval flora tank. Completely inconsistent co2 output. as previously stated I’ve come to believe that go big or go home is a good motto for co2. I've realized that i need to bite the bullet and put at least 100$+ into co2

 

[seahawkshos040]

I have been told to stay away from all three of those setups by respected shop owners in the last couple of weeks. i have a set up similar to the fluval by ista:

http://www.afishybusiness.com/product.asp?itemid=3323&gclid=CNvtzeC_-LMCFUxxQgod03YAJg

works great and you can get it for less than advertised here but for that kind of money you might as well by a proper set up. i agree go big or go home

 

[sarahbear1214]

oh wow thank you then I will definitely go ahead and stay way from those.

Would diy co2 be sufficient enough for this tank though since its only 10 gal? I also want to add shrimp eventually and read somewhere that i will need to be carefull about too much co2 and run an airstone at night for them. I really just want it as a little bit for the plants.

 

[ngrubich]

DIY CO2 will work pretty well in your 10 gallon, but you can't control how much CO2 is released. With that being said, when I did DIY, I never had a problem with gassing my fish/shrimp