Joined
·
17 Posts
Hi all -
i'm setting up a new 10 gallon planted tank and I had a couple questions before i get things up and running. I just got a cheap topfin 10 gallon starter kit and the ~18 pound bag of fluval stratum, that's all that's in it right now. Tank is filled, filter is running, and i added the "good bacteria" quick starter (or whatever the technical name for it is) and water conditioner.
1) With the wimpy light that comes with the tank, is it even worth trying to get low light plants to grow, or should i upgrade the light right away? and if so, any suggestions for a budget 10 gallon light? I know when i used to keep tanks when i was in high school i just put compact fluorescent bulbs in regular hood lights.
2) Can i go ahead and stock the tank with plants fairly quickly, or should i let the water cycle for a week or so? I've heard/read both. I also haven't added hardscape yet, would adding rocks/wood now set the cycle back?
3) When i do add plants, should I add fertilizer? I've read that adding it too early can lead to algae, and that with the fluval substrate plants don't necessarily need it.
4) I eventually want to get some blue ram cichlids. Will the stock filter + live plants be adequate for a lightly stocked tank? Like, can i add different filter media or whatever into the stock filter, or will this need to be upgraded too? Along these same lines, should I even attempt to keep blue rams? I used to have a couple when i was into the hobby in high school (31 now) and I couldn't get it right with them, so if me buying them is destined to wind up with them dead I would avoid it.
thanks very much for any advice!
i'm setting up a new 10 gallon planted tank and I had a couple questions before i get things up and running. I just got a cheap topfin 10 gallon starter kit and the ~18 pound bag of fluval stratum, that's all that's in it right now. Tank is filled, filter is running, and i added the "good bacteria" quick starter (or whatever the technical name for it is) and water conditioner.
1) With the wimpy light that comes with the tank, is it even worth trying to get low light plants to grow, or should i upgrade the light right away? and if so, any suggestions for a budget 10 gallon light? I know when i used to keep tanks when i was in high school i just put compact fluorescent bulbs in regular hood lights.
2) Can i go ahead and stock the tank with plants fairly quickly, or should i let the water cycle for a week or so? I've heard/read both. I also haven't added hardscape yet, would adding rocks/wood now set the cycle back?
3) When i do add plants, should I add fertilizer? I've read that adding it too early can lead to algae, and that with the fluval substrate plants don't necessarily need it.
4) I eventually want to get some blue ram cichlids. Will the stock filter + live plants be adequate for a lightly stocked tank? Like, can i add different filter media or whatever into the stock filter, or will this need to be upgraded too? Along these same lines, should I even attempt to keep blue rams? I used to have a couple when i was into the hobby in high school (31 now) and I couldn't get it right with them, so if me buying them is destined to wind up with them dead I would avoid it.
thanks very much for any advice!