Newbie needs some advice

[css49015]

I have a 10 gallon fresh water tank:

(Fish)
2 ghost shrimp.
3 Albino Corys.
8 neon tetras.

(Plants)
I have about 8 asst live plants, not sure what they are.

(Substrat)
Small pebble rock.

(Filter)
Aqua Clear mini 20 with 3 stage filter.

(Light)
Fuval Eco Bright Freshwater LED light


I just ordered a Santa Monica Drop.2 to install in my tank, what I would like to know is:

With my filter do I still run all 3 stages "IE" Foam, carbon, Bio max Balls if not what stage do I take out and why?

I Run my LED lights from 10AM to 10PM should I change the time for having the lights on and why?

Once I get my Drop.2 how long do I run it each day and how should I coordinate it with my Tank lights?




Thanks in advance for the help, I want to make sure I do this right and have a happy tank, once I master this I will move on to a bigger tank with nicer fish.


Chris
Battle Creek, MI

[SantaMonica]

Welcome.

You don't really need to change anything; just run the DROP.2 for 24 hours to start with. Freshwater grows much easier, so 24 hours would be good if it grows; if not you can add a timer later. The foam removes food particles; the carbon removes food coloring; and the bio balls remove ammonia. The scrubber will be your only remover of nitrate, unless you water change.

Just let the tank run for a while and see how it goes.

[css49015]

So run the DROP.2 24 hours a day until I start to get growth then bump it down to 20 on and 4 off or just keep it on 24/7?

I will do a 20% water change weekly when I clean the filters and the DROP.2

I purchased it last night from you guys so hopefully you send it out Monday :-)

Thanks so much

Chris

[SantaMonica]

If it grows 24 hours, no need to add a timer. And if nitrate does not become a problem, you won't have to water change.

Yes should go out Monday :)

[css49015]

Thanks, I will keep an eye on the nitrate through out this process of getting everything dialed in.

[css49015]

Ok I am moving up to a 55 gallon tank with Fluval C4 filter, will the DROP.2 Still be a good choice for this setup?

[SantaMonica]

Not at all. Even it packed full, it's just a small amount of algae. Nice to watch though :)

[css49015]

So your saying the drop.2 will be ok with a 55 gallon?

[SantaMonica]

No it's way too small. But it will prove that you can grow and harvest algae.

[css49015]

Ok cool, I have it installed on the 55 gallon right now lets see what it does!

[css49015]

Put a screen in it and left it on 24/7 for 7 days and was growing a some nice green algae, removed the screen and lightly brushed off the growth and put back in tank on a 20 on and 4 off timer, will check it in 7 days.