Hey...Yes a 10 gallon tank is a good starter.
The actual BASIC BASICS are this
filter
heater
thats really all you need start up an aquarium but it looks much better and makes the tank better if you do, like usmc said.
Depending on if you want it to look natural or not. Black gravel is a good starter and it looks more natural than blue or any other colors. Having some live plants in the tank also makes it a lot more natural looking. Some hiding spots are cool too. Thats if you get a bottom feeder/algea eater.
For starters how is your tank being cycled? If it is at all. There is fishless cycling and cycling with fish. Here is a post I have posted in another topic. This has a few bits of information about cycling and etc...
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=34
So lets say your tank has been cycled and stuff. And you think your ready for some fish. The best starter fish, and hardy fish, are some zebra danios, very hardy, platies are good. Some mollies will work out fine too. I wouldnt recomend neon tetra's as they arent very hardy for new tanks.
Also for an algea eater, which you shouldnt have to worry about for a while because there will be no algea in the tank for a while...I wouldnt recomend a pleco, they get very big and will absolutely outgrow the tank. A Siamese Algea Eater should do you well. I'm kind of stumped as to say what for an algea eater, but thats what i came up with. I hope this all helps.
Nick
