Dwarf Puffer Planted Tank Newbie Chcklist

[Otter]

Hello everyone
I have decided it is time to get a 10g fishtank. I am going to do a live planted Dwarf Puffer tank. I have been doing some research in a lot of different places but I still want to confirm that I am not missing anything and I still have a few questions.

-I have narrowed down my equipment to the following;
-Marineland Bio-Wheel Penguin 75
-Aquatop GH-50 Heater
Will that work for 2-3 puffers? Any other recommendations? I am not married to the above, they just happen to be on sale right now

-If I am going to do live plants, what water treatment/start up/cycle stuff should I use?

-Is it ok to plant the tank first, get it stabilized, and then add fish or do I have to add fish first and plant later?

-I would like to use black sand substrate. Any recommendations?

Once the puffers are happy and comfortable, I am then going to want to add some species of fish to help keep the tank bottom clean and/or algae free. I have read that this is always a gamble with puffers. So I will try, in this order;
-Cherry Shrimp (if they get eaten, well, then I guess it was just an expensive snack)
-2 Otos
Are there larger shrimp or snails that the puffers won't/can't bother?

-It was suggested to me to use a 20" finnex stingray and I still may go that route. It is just on/off? Does it have a night setting? Does it have a timer? Etc
What other hoods/lights are out there that people like that have the above features if the stingray does not?

-Back when I was into herpetology, feeding invertebrates you find in your garden to your pets was ok if 1/ you don't use and are not in an area that has a lot of pesticides, 2/ you provide whatever invertebrates you find with some time to empty their guts of parasites, and 3/ you know whatever insect or snail you find does not have natural defenses like being toxic
Does it work this way with fish? If I find, say, snails/slugs/earthworms is that an exciting and different snack for dwarf puffers? I do not plan on this being their normal/daily food source.

Thank you for whatever help you can provide
Jeff

[Pufferpunk]

Forget the Biowheel, they're crap. Get an Aquaclear 50.
Always best ty foshless cycle your tank: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/lib ... s-cycling/
Most folks have had luck with ottos--forget snails.
Outside foods are fine, you know seem to know which are safe.

[Otter]

Thank you. I did switch to the Aquaclear

Forget the Biowheel, they're crap. Get an Aquaclear 50.
Always best ty foshless cycle your tank: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/lib ... s-cycling/
Most folks have had luck with ottos--forget snails.
Outside foods are fine, you know seem to know which are safe.

[Pufftastic]

I wouldn't do, as you're planning, 2-3 DPs, plus cherry shrimp, plus Otos. WAY too much bioload for a tank that size.

I'd have one DP in a 10 gallon tank. Two if I could guarantee a M/F or F/F combo. And that's it.

[pollypuff]

also cherry shrimp will be eaten. If you want shrimp go with amano instead but you're still taking a chance they will get eaten when they molt.

[Otter]

Thanks everyone
I am going to try a couple feeder shrimp first. If they get eaten, then they were just an expensive snack. Then I will try a couple of Otos.