Filter Setup for 10g tank

**justynk** · 21st Jun 2011, 02:38

Hi,

Currently my 10g tank has a built-in filter pictured below:

Filter

Was wondering if I could replace the sponge media with something something like biohome, but as you can see it seems to be very small. Are there any bio filters i can add to facilitate better filtration?

Also, was thinking of getting a backup sponge filter setup in the tank, is it a good idea as my tank is already quite crowded with plants. But the zebra danios keep going to the surface to get more "air", not sure if it's lacking oxygen!

This is how my tank looks like:

Tank

Thanks guys

**limz_777** · 21st Jun 2011, 08:07

try a hang on filter ,is also good for small set up

**justynk** · 21st Jun 2011, 09:09

Thanks, but would that mean my tank lid cannot be closed as well?

**justynk** · 21st Jun 2011, 21:38

Ok so now I have an additional sponge filter with an air outlet beside my tank's original filter, both suction running side by side.

I've noticed the fishes like to crowd around the filter area and only occasionally swim away.

Is it a problem?

**limz_777** · 22nd Jun 2011, 17:52

the lid might have to be modify if you intend to use a hang on

**justynk** · 22nd Jun 2011, 18:42

roger that! thanks!

**stormhawk** · 28th Jun 2011, 02:27

You don't need a HOF or a sponge filter for a tank this small. Adding in a HOF will mean you have to modify your hood somewhat. This is not necessary. Add in a small plastic grid thing on top of your white filter wool and put some BioHome or another layer of wool above it. You can use an airstone to increase aeration of the tank, since from what you mentioned, the danios are suffering from lack of oxygen.

I would remove that sunken barrel deco thing. I never trusted painted items made of plastic resin for tank usage. You never know for sure if the paints will leach into the water or not. Removing it frees up space for you to place a small driftwood or plant other smaller creeping plants like E. tenellus or hair grass.

Please ask someone to identify the plants at the left and right corners. From what I see, I only trust the plant in the middle and the 2 towards the front. Also, the plants should have been individually rooted, instead of being kept in the plastic grid pots with the rock wool.

**justynk** · 28th Jun 2011, 08:12

Hi stormhawk!

Thank you for you valuable advice, really appreciate it.

I've changed the tank layout a bit since I first posted this thread. It looks like this now:
Tank

I've added more wisterias and the fishes tend to like to swim inside and through it. The barrel is a popular place for them to hide, is it really necessary to remove it? I have a java moss driftwood cave setup infront as well.

By the looks of it I might just remove the last plant in the corner...

**justynk** · 28th Jun 2011, 10:02

Originally Posted by stormhawk

You don't need a HOF or a sponge filter for a tank this small. Adding in a HOF will mean you have to modify your hood somewhat. This is not necessary. Add in a small plastic grid thing on top of your white filter wool and put some BioHome or another layer of wool above it. You can use an airstone to increase aeration of the tank, since from what you mentioned, the danios are suffering from lack of oxygen.

I would remove that sunken barrel deco thing. I never trusted painted items made of plastic resin for tank usage. You never know for sure if the paints will leach into the water or not. Removing it frees up space for you to place a small driftwood or plant other smaller creeping plants like E. tenellus or hair grass.

Please ask someone to identify the plants at the left and right corners. From what I see, I only trust the plant in the middle and the 2 towards the front. Also, the plants should have been individually rooted, instead of being kept in the plastic grid pots with the rock wool.

Have taken your advice and removed the unknown plant. Realized that the wisterias were already crowding and removing the extra plant gave it more room. Now I have a new problem, since removing the plant, all the zebra fishes do are to swim behind the wisteria!

**stormhawk** · 29th Jun 2011, 00:32

Let the wisteria grow up to the surface since they are fast growing plants. Trimming them will make the scape look nicer. Because it is such a small tank, the working space is small. I fear eventually the words at the back may not be visible. Option however is to replant the wisteria to the sides, so it looks like a curtain of sorts, and plant the shorter plants in the middle so they don't block your words.