Changes.

[cer]

I want to change stuff in my 10 gallon. Right know their is a plastic bowl, plastic pyramid, and fake plants. The gravel is blue. The entire tank looks unnatural. I thought I could get rid of it all. Then I would add a piece of driftwood, slate or rock chips, larger pieces of stone, and 3-4 beginner level plants. And I do not want the stones to boost up the hardness. What do you think?

[Ryuu]

I suggest you change the gravel to a natural color, find a small peice of driftwood, and start with some java moss, and java ferns, there easily grow. And it will compliment the driftwood, and gravel

[Dave66]

cer,
If you douse the stones in white vinegar, and any part of them fizz, don't use them, since they will harden your water. Might want to change out the blue gravel and put in something more friendly to plants, like Eco-Complete. Fish will look better over the dark of the Eco.

Dave

[cer]

What about the larger rocks? Is the Eco thing rock, peat, or sand?

[Dave66]

It's a fine, iron-rich substrate cer, and shows up a sandy, dark slate-grey color in a tank. If you've seen DougZ's 75 gallon, that's Eco-Complete in his tank.

Dave

[cer]

I have seen it. Can I try amazon sword plant?

[Dave66]

What lighting is over your tank, cer? Total wattage and color temperature, please.
If you can manage 2 watts per gallon full spectrum, and have at least three inches of substrate where the swords will be planted, you could grow sword plants no problem. I'd suggest getting Echinodorus parvaflorus, the so-called black amazon sword (though it isn't black, it's a rich green), as it only tops out at 10 inches tall, and wouldn't completely dominate your little tank.

Dave

[cer]

I do not know specific watts but it is a middle level light.

[Dave66]

Should be on the bulb, cer, the wattage.

Dave

[cer]

It is 15 watts.

[mac]

IMO I would think it would be a bit to little light for Amazon Swords. But I may be wrong.

You new plan sounds great. can't wait to see it.

mac