Help with a basic questions - first planted tank

[KLKelly]

Tanks been planted for almost two weeks now. I absolutely love it and the plants look very happy.  I think I have too much lighting on it.  One is an 11K T8 and the other is just an ordinary strip light.  I think it works out to 3WPG (I'm still a no go for CO2).  I have to cut the lighting down somehow but still light up the whole tank. The lights are resting on the glass top.  I planted it with about an inch to an inch and a half of eco complete and then topped it off with a single tiny layer of pea gravel.  I wish I hadn't bothered with the gravel now but I like the way it looks.  I totally misread Dan's instructions too.  Since I don't have any big root plants I should have done the 2" of gravel and mixed in eco complete <<band head against wall>>

I am still having trouble with the filtration idea.  The thought of those worms that pistol pete posted on spooked me.  I haven't put Bubbles my Betta in his planted tank yet.  Even if I put a filter in there - sponge filter or HOB seeded or not.  If its just a single male betta in a 10 gallon planted tank - there is no that just my betta could keep a 10 gallon tank tank cycled - let alone a planted one.  How does fertalizers play a role with ammonia/nitrite and nitrate? What does a HOB filter/sponge filter have to do with fertalizers (ie do fertalizers result in ammonia or anything) or if its irrelevant why do I need one???

And I assume because of the depth of the eco complete I will need MTS snails?

Sorry for beating a dead horse.  The last thing I want to do though is put a filter on there and have the cycle die off or possibly deal with blips (if the small amounts of fertalizer if needed would ever cause this).

[dan2x38]

If you use MTS make sure you do not over feed or they will run rampent. Remember Bettas need very little food they have a very slow metabolism. I have a couple Otto Cats with ours. As for filtering... remember we measure things in parts Per Million - ppm. Yes a single betta fish can support a bio-filter. The bio-load controls the bio-filter. If you want a healthy fish: heat, treat, & filter... big mistake folks do with Bettas & Goldfish throw them in a tank or bowl they will be fine just change the water now & then - wrong.

This is a 10g tank right? That is a lot of light... you don't need a lot of light if no CO2. More light you will need CO2. When there is lots of light the plants start to grow but if there are not enough nutrients like CO2 plus macro/micro ferts then they stop growing since they are a complex plants. Algae is a simple single celled plant it will start using the light and small amount of nutrients supplied by the fish so it blooms as the plants starve. As the light increases so must the nutrients. If you have low light put a little Seachem Flourish in after a water change and your plants will do just fine.

[KLKelly]

Thanks Dan   I can't believe how complicated I make things.

He has a heater now and I have a stealth 50 watt for the 10 gallon.  I'm happy with these heaters so far.

I'll fix the lighting instead of going CO2.  I'll pick up some of that fertalizer this week also so I have it on hand.

Karrie

[dan2x38]

Thanks Dan   I can't believe how complicated I make things.

He has a heater now and I have a stealth 50 watt for the 10 gallon.  I'm happy with these heaters so far.

I'll fix the lighting instead of going CO2.  I'll pick up some of that fertalizer this week also so I have it on hand.

Karrie

Filter?

[Laura]

I remember BD saying that the wpg rule falls apart with small tanks, so your lighting levels may be fine.
You would want to ask him though as I don't know.

[KLKelly]

Filter will be a hydro1 sponge a hang on the back Penguin 100.

[KLKelly]

Thanks Irene. I'll look into that and also search the history.

[charlie]

I remember BD saying that the wpg rule falls apart with small tanks, so your lighting levels may be fine.
You would want to ask him though as I don't know.

That is correct, the WPG rule of thumb is only applicable to tanks from 20 - 75 Glns , a 10 gln tank needs more light than a 20 gln @ 2 WPG to be on the same level.

This link is an amazing resource for starting planted tanks, it covers most if not all newbie questions & will put you on the right road of success.
http://www.rexgrigg.com/mlt.html
Regards