[DefStatic]

Tank: 10 Gallon Aqueon
Light: Finnex -R
Filter: Aqueon 10 (going to put in different media or switch to a AC20)
Substrate: FloraMax
Heater: Aqueon 50w
Stones: Zebra

Plants:
Golden Jenny
Rotala Roundtifolia
Pogostemon Erectus
Water Wysteria
Some sort of Ludwigia

Fish:
6 Glowlight Tetras
6 Pygmy Cories
1 Dwarf Gourami

Plans:
Just wanted to start a journal for this. I really have no idea what I am going for at this point. Any help or feedback appreciated. This is my first time at attempting anything I would call a real hardscape. All my other tanks I basically would just stick a rock and a piece of driftwood in and plants. This time I would like to semi-create something. I know if it not quite what I see others doing, but a guy has to start someplace right! Trying to attempt something somewhat unique too.

Start 4/21/2014

So the whole thing crashed. Somehow I had a massive nitrate spike. All my guppies got sick and died. The plants just fell apart. I was testing all the time for other things, but was out of Nitrate test kit and hadn't replaced it yet. I think I had used some bad root tabs. It is the only thing I can think of. That and just being negligent with my testing.

Took me two months to get it back under control.

UPDATE 10/31/2014

 

[DefStatic]

You could make that really cool, I think the larger single rock would make a better focal point if it was swapped with the othe two, or just turn the tank around....

Thanks, I might give that a try. I got the single rock after I decided to do something like this.

 

[DefStatic]

Looks good, I like the rocks. I have an ac20 in my 10 gallon they are so worth it and you can adjust the flow. I put purigen in place of the carbon it keeps it crystal clear. Question about your light I wanted to get an finnex R, I thought they were for rimless? Did you have to modify it to get it on?

They technically are meant for rimless, but you can get it to attach without modification. It was too much light for my Evolve 4 so it had been sitting around for a year doing nothing. If you REALLY needed to, you could just easily cut into the rim to make a slot, but I didn't. I suppose if it gets bumped the wrong way it could fall, so I may end up doing that.

I really wanted an AC20, as I use an AC50 on my 30gal. I haven't used this Aqueon yet so I may return it (I was going to replace the cartridge with a custom media setup).

I am very interested in ditching the carbon inserts I use in my filters (I have an Evolve 4 that I basically have the exact setup for an AC30 inside the media chamber) and using Purigen, but I do not know how to use it. I do not have any water clarity issues, but I hear it is still better regardless. Did you have to make your own bag for it?

 

[DefStatic]

Interesting info on the light thanks. Carbon doesn't last to long, I only use it for removing meds. As for the purigen I have the 100ml pre bagged stuff, it says it treats up to 100 gallons. At first I thought that was a lot for a 10 gallon aquarium but I contacted seachem and they said it was fine to use in a 10 gallon tank, so I use the whole bag. If you feel like you won't have enough room in the filter, then you should get the purigen in the plastic jar and a separate filter media bag and put as much as you want in it. I love that purigen is regenerable.

Thanks, I am going to look at doing that in a week or so. For some of my setups, the stuff designed for AquaClears works great. But for others I need to be able to have more customization.

 

[DefStatic]

Updates posted to original post, thanks!