First, generally I think a 10 is too small for a water feature so a false bottom is usually not done for a tank this size.

If you're set on that.... The main thing is to keep the pump easily accessable. Some section off a part of the background for space behind the background, others cover the pump in water with rocks or you can place a potted plant on top of it, so you just pull the plant out to get to the pump. Cover it with eggcrate and screen, whatever.

How you do it, isnt important, just that you can get to it easily.

I would suggest gravel or leca for a 10 though.

 

Since it's only a 10 gal the gravel won't weigh it down too much, plus it's cheap. I am a fan of the false bottom, which is also cheap.

The cork bark idea for making the pump accessible basically consists of a half circle of cork bark in a corner allowing you to reach your arm all the way down to the pump at the bottom. This can also be achieved with a corner of Eggcrate with an arm space behind. Pvc can work the same way.
some people put pvc around the pum with tiny holes for water to get through but keeping debris out.

goodluck!

 

I have used both leca and egg crate, but I now prefer leca it is easier, no measuring, cutting, attaching, etc. although I do cut the fiberglass screening to go oever the leca. I am also not the best builder and have had frogs get into the eggcrate bottoms again and again. Gravel would be fine for 10 gal but but leca is lighter for larger tanks. The leca also helps wick the water up. As far as hiding a pump..do you mean a way to siphon excess water? If so you could do a small corner pond and just siphon water with turkey baster when needed.

 

leca only. Used to use gravel but once I found leca there was no going back.

I have had more success with leca than false bottoms. They are a pain to make and more expensive.

 

Thanks for your advice everyone. I do realize a 10 gal is small for a water feature, but I'd like to know in general what you all think is better for the bottom. Once I try out my building skills on a 10 gal I'll probably upgrade so I will need to know how to do the false bottom or whatever I choose to have as a bottom. I have gravel and have been using it since I started the hobby, but the leca sounds like it would be a good idea. Where can I get it?

 

i usually do a bit of both. an inch or so at least of false bottom to put the pump under (although i have done water features with no false bottom) and then some leca and gravel mixed in.

 

they recently started selling leca at petco under the name "hydro balls". very flattering in my opinion. I personally hate buying from big pet chains so if i were to get it i'd buy it online from one of the sponsers of this site.