Looking to add on to my home and researching different options. One idea I have is to go with a tank-less water heater system. The home will have three full baths, around 2700 sq ft after all is said and done. My question is would a tank-less water heater system work with our family of 6 and home?

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> The 10 gal. planted tank is for work: a 400 sq ft room with 6 people in cubes (low noise & traffic), 2 2x5ft windows, flourescent lights on for about 18 hours per day.

> No direct sun.

> No under gravel filtration.

> The plants will be added (java moss, various anubias’, amazon swords) to very fine, gravel-topped substrate (undecided type).

> Lighting will be 2 Flourescent bulbs with regular incandescent sockets (20W, 2000K or so).

> Undecided on CO2 system (must be cheap initially! will upgrade later once aquarium is deemed "success" by boss…)

> Timer, heater, stand, rocks, BOGwood, RO water from Walmart (Culligan?) + Osmoprep, etc

> Stock Filter & media came w/ aquarium "starterkit"

> Fish….
> 1 Betta (already part of our ‘office family’)
> 1 Peppered Cory (already part of office family)
> 1 or 2 additional Cories to join the existing one (since they shoal)
> 1 kuhli loach
> 1 shoal of 3-5 rasboras or tetras
> all added GRADUALLY!

Thx
Wow, thanks for the quick and detailed responses!

I will keep this open for another day or so, but to clear up a couple of things, the betta is currently confined to a half-gallon ornamental tank. I know, I know, I’m an arse, but it is all that I thought I would get away with on my desk at the time–he will like the 10G tank, much more, I am sure; plus it is a heck of a step up from the shot-glass I bought him in

Glad to hear about not requiring the CO2–I will keep the light down until we are ready to upgrade to a high-tech tank.

Regarding the timer, I will be using that to shut off the lights and (would have) the CO2, but with this feedback, I do not think a timer will be necessary. I figure the CO2 was probably a bad idea anyway considering the size of the tank, my inexperience, and modest starter budget, but that is why I am asking you guys, ha ha

Thanks again, so far!
All this advice is really helpful, thank you.

I’ve just found out that we’ll be getting a 30G tank instead of the 10G! I’m very pleased about this, & it opens the door for so many more possibilities.

Obviously I’ll need more substrate, gravel, & lighting, but I’d like to keep the current live configuration, and just increase the shoal sizes (except my betta, of course, ha ha).

It really is hard to pick the best advice, b/c you all have bits & pieces which are really helpful in the overall picture. As a result, I’ll pick the 1st post as the best.

Thanks, BG; Maybe we will be able to fit in a few kuhlis, now. The rasboras are out, though–thxs for the heads up!

Thanks, Artwork; we will be mindful of the amount of fish we put into our tank & keep the light at a reasonable level (1.5-2 W/G) for now.

Thanks, Darryl; we will respect the khulis need for a shoal, & try tying the Java and Anubias to driftwood if we decide to add wood to our aquarium.

Thx again, ev1!

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If you have a water softener installed or have experience in buying water softeners please give me an idea of how much it should cost for me to get a water softener installed. My home is 2400 sq ft.
I was quoted ,000 installed. Does that sound right?

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