Planning: 10 Gallon Tank

[Sylvia123]

Hi everyone!  I plan on keeping a 10 gallon aquarium holding a few fancy guppies (starting with one male and two females) in my dorm room this coming semester and wanted to double-check everything with y’all. There’s a 10 gallon limit on any aquariums in our dorms, so I sadly won’t be able to get anything larger than that.
 
The municipal water hardness ranges from 15 to 20 gpg with a pH hovering around 7.7.
 
Here’s what I plan on getting:

• 10 gallon Top Fin Led Aquarium Starter Kit Tank (includes the tank itself, a thermometer, hood with lights, filter, and net)
• 50 watt heater (Tetra HT Submersible Aquarium Heater)
• Siphon
• Water conditioner (Top Fin®Tap Water Aquarium Dechlorinator Water Conditioner)
• Water testing kit (Tetra® Quick Dip Aquarium Water Test Kit)
• Fish food (TetraColor Tropical Flakes)
• 10 pounds aquarium gravel
• A few plastic plants
• A terracotta pot

After setting up my tank, I plan on about a month of fishless cycling following the Fishless Cycling Guide on the Beginner Starting Point thread.
 
Once the fish have been added, I’ll be doing weekly 25% water changes.  Rather than using an algae scraper, I plan on using just a simple sponge.  I’m only about an hour’s drive away from my college, so over breaks I'll take them home with me.  My roommate is totally fine with the idea of keeping fish in our dorm.
 
Does all that check out to y’all, or have I overlooked something?

 

[LyraGuppi]

It looks like you're all set, except for a couple small things. Dip strips aren't very accurate for testing water levels, since they are exposed to humidity in the air and such. I'd recommend something like API drip tests. 
On a second note, it might be easier on you to only have all male guppies or all females. These guys breed like rabbits, so you would have to cull or rehome the fry often.
 
Welcome to TFF c:

 

[Sylvia123]

Okay, thank you!

 

[squidneh]

I agree, you sound like you pretty much have it down. I agree that drip tests are better and that you'd be better off with a single sex.
 
Have you thought about a betta at all? Just throwing it out there. Depending on what type of light your tank comes with, you might be able to set up a low-tech planted tank with a nice fancy male betta. I'm very partial to tanks like that, I just think they are very beautiful and tranquil, so whenever I hear someone is setting up a 10gal I like to throw it out there. Up to you of course!

 

[Sylvia123]

Okay, thanks for the input!
 
I've considered it, since I actually kept a betta for a few years when I was a kid, but decided against it since I'd like to keep a few fish at once who I won't have to worry about dividing.

 

[Fishmanic]

I have a 10 gallon tank (as well as 2 other tanks) and in the 10 gallon, I have 5 harlequin rasboras, 4 julii cory, and 1 dwarf neon blue gourami.  Moderately planted and several rocks and a cave.   It is a very nice active tank and I don't have to worry much about frys as much as you would with your stocking.    Rasboras are a very hearty fish and are interesting to watch as they swim a lot and tend to school.  
 
just thought this might give you some ideas for your 10 gallon tank
 
https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYlKOsFO3Wk

 

[Sylvia123]

Oh, what a gorgeous set-up!  Definitely inspired!