New 10 gallon planted tank

[barbarossa4122]

Hello,

My wife decided to start a new 10g planted tank with 6 Cardinal Neons. She has the following: 1 240gph hob, 1 Koralia Nano, 2 18w T8 lights (6500k and 5500k) with very cheap white plastic "reflectors", 1 20lbs bag of Eco-Complete black and some plants that she "stole" from my other 2 tanks. Should she get a T5HO 20" light fixture (if there is such a fixture) or this will be enough? Btw, she wants to do a full plant carpet, I think.
No CO2 just Excel. Lol, I will not be allowed to touch her tank.

 

[Left C]

Why no CO2? It really helps with carpet plants. A simple yeast/sugar DIY would be easy to do.

She may have enough lighting. But, I found a freshwater 20" 2x18w T5HO fixture with individual German made reflectors for each bulb for around $100 plus shipping. They are linkable too. Also it can be suspended with the optional kit.
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/index.html
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/AL_DualLampManual.pdf
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp57011/si5071421/cl0/2x18wt5holinkablelightfixturefw20

 

[barbarossa4122]

Why no CO2? It really helps with carpet plants. A simple yeast/sugar DIY would be easy to do.

She may have enough lighting. But, I found a freshwater 20" 2x18w T5HO fixture with individual German made reflectors for each bulb for around $100 plus shipping. They are linkable too. Also it can be suspended with the optional kit.
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/index.html
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/AL_DualLampManual.pdf
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp57011/si5071421/cl0/2x18wt5holinkablelightfixturefw20

Hi,

I saw the fixture you mentioned in your post but, I'll have to convince my wife to get it (I WILL). For the diy co2 we will try to do something this weekend. Thanks for the reply and the links.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Why no CO2? It really helps with carpet plants. A simple yeast/sugar DIY would be easy to do.

She may have enough lighting. But, I found a freshwater 20" 2x18w T5HO fixture with individual German made reflectors for each bulb for around $100 plus shipping. They are linkable too. Also it can be suspended with the optional kit.
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/index.html
http://www.aquaticlife.com/t5ho_dual/AL_DualLampManual.pdf
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp57011/si5071421/cl0/2x18wt5holinkablelightfixturefw20

I can't seem to find replacement 18w bulbs for this fixture.

 

[barbarossa4122]

It's OK to use a Koralia Nano 240gph for this tank with 6 Cardinal Tetras and 4 Neon Tetras? They are kind of small and I am afraid that I'll have too much current. My Whisper EX45 HOB (240gph) makes a real nice surface ripple in the tank right now but, I am thinking that I will need some extra current for the plants.

 

[Tug]

The Koralia Nano was a little much for my 10 gal. although you could have it on a timer, point it more towards the surface. For about the same money you could use the Duetto DJ 50 (60gph) and modify it to run your DIY CO2. It's not that much larger then a Hagen ladder and the modification for a 10 gallon tank would be removing all the filters and drilling a hole in the filter housing.

 

[barbarossa4122]

The Koralia Nano was a little much for my 10 gal. although you could have it on a timer, point it more towards the surface. For about the same money you could use the Duetto DJ 50 (60gph) and modify it to run your DIY CO2. It's not that much larger then a Hagen ladder and the modification for a 10 gallon tank would be removing all the filters and drilling a hole in the filter housing.

Hi Tug,

I already have the Nano from another tank. I guess I'll stick it in the 10g when it's fully planted and see what happens. The tetras are in as of 3 hours ago and hope they will survive. Plants (micro sword, crypts, anubias, cabomba green and hornwort) will go in later tonight when my wife gets home. I am lucky I had the hob fully establish.

 

[Left C]

I can't seem to find replacement 18w bulbs for this fixture.

Good question. I found this 12,000K bulb. You may want to ask Big Al's about them. 12,000K: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18371/si4793353/cl0/truelumen18w12000kt5holamp18

Current-USA.com has 12,000K and pink freshwater T5HO bulbs for 20" fixtures. The are 20w for some reason. http://www.current-usa.com/truelument5ho.html



Go to 24" fixture??? I used a 24" fixture on a 20" 15g not long ago. It worked fine and the 2" extra on each end didn't bother me. There is a very large selection of 24" T5HO fixtures and bulbs to choose from. Would you want to go with a 24" T5HO fixture?

 

[barbarossa4122]

Good question. I found this 12,000K bulb. You may want to ask Big Al's about them. 12,000K: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18371/si4793353/cl0/truelumen18w12000kt5holamp18

Current-USA.com has 12,000K and pink freshwater T5HO bulbs for 20" fixtures. The are 20w for some reason. http://www.current-usa.com/truelument5ho.html



Go to 24" fixture??? I used a 24" fixture on a 20" 15g not long ago. It worked fine and the 2" extra on each end didn't bother me. There is a very large selection of 24" T5HO fixtures and bulbs to choose from. Would you want to go with a 24" T5HO fixture?

Hi,

This is what I use now, 2 24" T8 fixtures and the 2 extra inches does not bother me either. Looking at Hoppy's chart about light I think even with one T5HO bulb will put me in the high light range unless I raise the light about 8" from the top of the tank. Right now according to the chart I have medium light.

Would you want to go with a 24" T5HO fixture?

Yeah I would but, remember I do not have co2.

 

[barbarossa4122]

I heard that the guys at Catalina will custom built almost any type of light fixture you want.
I do not want to make a mistake and get too much light like I did for my 30g.

 

[Left C]

It may be a good idea to give Catalina a ring.

Or, you could use what you have and go with some slow growing cover plants like Marsilea minuta and other Marsilea species, Cryptocoryne parva, Anubias Pygmy Nana, etc.

I like Hoppy's chart.

 

[barbarossa4122]

It may be a good idea to give Catalina a ring.

Or, you could use what you have and go with some slow growing cover plants like Marsilea minuta and other Marsilea species, Cryptocoryne parva, Anubias Pygmy Nana, etc.

I like Hoppy's chart.

Hi Left C,

OK, I just got of the phone with Catalina. They will built a 24" fixture with one 24W, 6500K T5HO bulb for $65.00 including hanging brackets and shipping. I am going to hang the fixture about 8" from the top of the tank which is 28" from the substrate.

 

[Htomassini]

Catalina is great. I had ordered my 72 kit with 10k and 65k but by mistake they sent it with acticnics. I called them and they sent me replacements second day. Nice quality too.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Catalina is great. I had ordered my 72 kit with 10k and 65k but by mistake they sent it with acticnics. I called them and they sent me replacements second day. Nice quality too.

Yep, I heard real great things about them.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Well, 2 Tetras died fast but, the others are quite good. I have 8 left and my wife just bought 6 Harlequin Rasbora to add to the tank. I hope 14 tiny creatures will not be too much/overstock for her tank.

 

[barbarossa4122]

One Giesemann Midday 24w 6000k T5 be OK for this tank? Catalina will send me 6500K T5 with the fixture but, I like the Giesemann.

 

[barbarossa4122]

OK, I got the Catalina single bulb 24W t5ho this morning but, splash guard is not included. Where can I purchase one? Btw, the fixture is just beautiful and it will be raised 8" above the top of the tank.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi,

I am thinking of ordering this co2 system for my wife's new 10g tank. Any pros and cons advices before I spend the money will be appreciated.
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/complete-co2-systems/waterplant-co2-system-premium.html

 

[Tug]

Let us know. You will end up getting it anyway. It does take up less room then a diy generator. I would be interested in how long one of the CO2 cartridges last. By the way, how is that Koralia working out?

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi Tug,

Sure I'll let you guys know if I buy it. I called GLA and I was told that one 95gr cartridge will last about 2 months with 8 to 9 hrs/day of co2. Right now I am getting a lot of headache trying to choose/pick one. Ppl are suggesting to DIY paint ball system for 1/2 the money. Now, how the heck one can do this for $60.00 everything included ? No way, imo. Btw, I want a small system since this tank is in our bedroom and on her side of the bed. I wonder if Excel will be enough but, I doubt it. Lol, now I have co2 addiction. And my first custom built kick butt "big" system is due to arrive in about 2 weeks.
The Koralia Nano is just perfect. I placed it in such a way that the fish and the red cherry shrimps can swim with no problem.