prospective 10 gallon setup

[Rprafferty]

hi, I'm new to the forum but not the hobby...just getting back into it. Anyways, wanted to run my tank parameters by anyone who might want to critique. btw, all critique's appreciated:
The plan is to do a 10 gallon planted tank with a pair of cacatuiodes and 5-6 tetras (not sure what kind)
-lighting is a Catalina Aquarium prefab 24" T5 HO strip (24 watts)
-a substrate consisting of 10 0z laterite/pool sand topped off with a couple inches of pool sand
-whisper 20 power filter

I have a few questions. Could I do more than a pair of cichlids? like to two females and a male
I'd like to do a central area of substrate covering plants (chain swords) and an outer "rim" of val's or swords....not sure on plant species
I'd like to stay away from filter media, for the sake of simplicity, but is carbon a good idea?
lastly, I really like the look of sand, but it seems like 3 mm size gravel is far more accepted, should I reconsider?
thanks!

 

[slimbolen99]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like an interesting setup. I think the pool filter sand will work real nice; it's nice and light and doesn't compact. Your apistos will pick at the sand, sifting, and spit it out, so be prepared with that with your chain swords (I like using dwarf sag because it roots deep - BUT - the dwarf sag and vallesneria will possibly kill each other).

No, I would not do a second pair or additional cichlids in a tank this size.

I don't think the carbon would be worth the hassle after the tank is established; because it's filtering out some of the same components in the water that the plants will need (although, I doubt it would filter out everything the plants would need).

I would find some way to provide several caves hidden / tucked behind some of your plants, facing different directions, to give the apistos places to hide.

Tetras will be a good choice; make sure you understand that they will eat any fry you would get from the apistos.

 

[Mike Wise]

Personally, I don't even recommend a pair (1 male; 1 female) in small tanks - unless you have another tank where 1 of the pair can be moved when aggression occurs. 2 males of different species might be better, more showy and with less trauma. As Brian says, carbon isn't a good idea. Not only will it strip some nutrients that your plants use, but is an expensive filter media. Even the best activated carbon will be exhausted in a few days and it can't be regenerated at home, either.