Powerhead For 8 Gallon

[mantella]

I'd like to connect a rather eccentric 8 gallon tank I have (8x8x30inch) to a standard 10 gallon tank with a powerhead and some clear tubing. The 8 gallon is shallow and long which I think is conducive to a stream-like setup (smooth rocks, no plants, and moderate flow). To counter balance this I was planning on basically choking the 10 gallon with vigorously growing aquatic plants. Originally, I came up with connecting the two tanks because I wanted to make a stream biotope in the 8 gallon, but I didn't want the hardware clogging up the already limited space. The powerhead would be in the 10 gallon and tubing will run from the output of the powerhead to the 8 gallon with a return tube running back to the 10 gallon. I guess it's basically like the 10 gallon is a sump. This idea is just in the infant stages and I don't really know many details at the moment. I do however believe I'll be able to solve engineering problems, and am more interested in fish oriented questions

Questions:
8 gallons is small. What size (gph?) powerhead should I be looking for such that the flow in the 8 gallon is moderate.

What are some vigorous, low maintenance aquatic plants that work in moderate lighting?

If I populated the 10 gallon with only, say, cherry shrimp and placed some sponges at convenient locations could I get away without a filter? (Assuming I stocked the 8 gallon like an 8 gallon and not an 18 gallon)

What are some suggestions for small fish right at home in a steam biotope?

 

[fm1978]

Questions:
8 gallons is small. What size (gph?) powerhead should I be looking for such that the flow in the 8 gallon is moderate.
Not sure here, it could depend entirely on stocking, perhaps a more expert member could comment on this type of setup.

What are some vigorous, low maintenance aquatic plants that work in moderate lighting?
Riccia (fluitans) is very easy to look after and really requires no maintenance at all save for pulling it apart when it gets too much. It's very bushy rather than plant-like, though. It floats but can be held down with other decor. Banana Plant (Nymphoides) is lovely too, with bright green leaves, and like riccia doesn't need dosed with any ferts or CO2 - in my experience. Anubias (bateri, nana) though not as vigorous as the 2 mentioned above is also very easy, I even planted mine incorrectly and it still found a way to grow. Lovely rich dark leaves to contrast the bright green of the banana and riccia. There are lots and lots of types but these are some that I have personally found to be almost care free! A lot of mosses tend to grow very well without much light or additives. I have flame moss that grows very nicely.
If I populated the 10 gallon with only, say, cherry shrimp and placed some sponges at convenient locations could I get away without a filter? (Assuming I stocked the 8 gallon like an 8 gallon and not an 18 gallon)
No, shrimp are even more sensitive to unfiltered, poor water conditions than most fish, a filter is a must. A sponge filter running on air is good and low cost as well as being (baby) shrimp safe. Also, it's extremely preferable to only add shrimp to a mature tank giving time for a natural biofilm to form on which they feed.
What are some suggestions for small fish right at home in a steam biotope?
Sorry, not sure on this one.

 

[nortonmad213]

just place some sponge in the inlet of the powerhead, you may lose some flow rate but you will have a filter without adding another item into the tank