melauriga

Hello everyone,

I'm just about to take the plunge and set up my first NPT. I've read the book and I think I have everything I need, but for those with experience, would you mind checking my setup and answering a few questions?

I wasn't able to find plain potting soil so I picked up a bag of topsoil, will this be ok?

As I said in the heading, this is a 10g. I was going to use one regular fluorescent strip light 15w. The tank will get a little morning sun from an east-facing window. I could add another strip light if you don't think one is enough.

I found a box of grit that is supposed to be for caged birds. It contains oyster grit as well as ground gravel I think. The box says it also contains charcoal: will this pose a problem? Should I search around for lime or something else instead?

And finally, the plants. I have available an Argentine sword, crypt lutea, crypt wendtii red, Hygrophila compact, rotala rotundifolia, pond penny (I think its Lysimachia), stargrass, a couple of different kinds of mosses, Pistia statiotes, frogbit, and riccia. Anything I'm missing, or you don't think will grow well?

I haven't decided on the fish yet but I'm thinking a honey gourami and some checkered barbs.