View Full Version : Recommendations for a coldwater tank?
Chenell
10-14-2003, 9:13 PM
Any recommendations for a 2 gal coldwater tank with an undergravel filter and no heater? Other than goldfish.. blegh!
Thanks,
Chenell
Matt W
10-14-2003, 9:39 PM
You could probably get some white cloud minnows in there....2 gallons is pretty small though...
guppies?
how cold?
i think they do better with cooler water.........
aquariumfishguy
10-15-2003, 3:47 PM
I'm glad you mentioned "other than Goldfish" as goldfish would need a minimum of 15-20 gallons per fish. :eek:
...To be honest, I wouldn't even put a minnow in a tank of that size. Perhaps a snail with a few plants growing out of the top? :confused:
Chenell
10-15-2003, 5:59 PM
The water would be room temperature... maybe dip below 70 in the winter. I live in Colorado, and it can get quite chilly in winter in our house.
It's one of those 2 gal gumball aquariums. I know it's for kids, but I've always wanted one... besides I'm a kid at heart. :) I already have a 10 gal tropical tank, and wanted something a little different for the office.. plus I don't have much room.
Chenell
aquariumfishguy
10-15-2003, 6:42 PM
Well since you have no interest in changing your mind might I suggest a SINGLE betta? I would add some plants for looks and security purposes and try to get a small sponge filter for the tank if at all possible.
...like I said, I wouldn't subject my fish to a 2 gallon tank. A 10 gallon can sometimes cost less than all the extra crap you need for a smaller tank and its really less stressful. Tell me, why can't you get a 8,10,12 gallon eclipse system for the office?
Chenell
10-15-2003, 9:22 PM
It gets too cold for the betta... I've had a few of them. They really seam to like heated water. I even had one die because it got too cold. I guess I will wait on getting another tank, untill I can get something a little bigger.
Chenell
Perhaps you could put some plants and some ghost shrimp into the tank. They could be fun to watch and are pretty cheap. I don't really know about their temp requirements though.
I wouldn't keep white clouds in anything smaller than a 5 gallon, preferably a 10 gallon minimum.
Chenell
10-16-2003, 5:54 PM
What do you guys think about a 6 gal Eclipse system? They look fairly inexpensive. I've looked into them and it seems they are only available in 3, 5, 6, or 12 gallons. I really don't want a tank thats over 10 gal.
How many, and what type of coldwater fish would you roccomend for the 6 gallon?
Chenell
You could probably do 4 white clouds in that tank. They can survive down to 55F and do well in the mid 60's and can survive as high as 80F in the summer. Very hardy and nice fish. Put some easy to grow plants like Java Fern in with them and things should be great.
Chenell
10-17-2003, 2:52 PM
What would I be able to put in a 12 gal eclipse system?
Does the biowheel filtration increase the ammount of fish able to be safely kept in a tank?
Chenell
RClarkofNC
10-17-2003, 3:34 PM
In the 2 gallon, you could try a couple of African Dwarf Frogs. They do well in unheated tanks. Check out http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/mypets/dwarfs.html for info on them.
tricksterpup
10-17-2003, 6:41 PM
Well if you mean cold water you mean room temp without a heater? I would recommend the Heterandria Formosa the smallest live bearer in the US. They have been kept in one gallon containers and I keep a colony of 10 in a 2.5 gallon tank with live plants. These guys are tiny, and like cool water, i mean 60-70 basically room temp. A picture can be found as my avatar.
jim
Chenell
10-17-2003, 7:21 PM
I have a list of coldwater fish from about.com, does anyone know much about these fish ad their availibility? Which ones would be best for a small tank?
Barbs
Bloodfin Tetra
Buenos Aires Tetra
Croaking Tetra
Hillstream Loaches
Pearl Danio
Weather Loach
Wimple
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Zebra Danio
I have seen Zebra Danios around, but that is about it.
Thanks,
Chenell
aquariumfishguy
10-17-2003, 8:28 PM
I dont consider Pearl Danios to be coldwater fish and some of the tetras there wouldn't make "my" list for coldwater fish either.
Chenell
10-17-2003, 9:15 PM
Would White cloud mountain minnows and zebra danios be a good combo for a coldwater tank?
Chenell
aquariumfishguy
10-18-2003, 8:08 AM
Well whatever you choose, I'd choose just one specie of fish rather than multiple species because you dont have the room to mix fish. Naturally peaceful fish would be turned into territorial fish in this setting. IMO, I would pick minnows before zebra danios.
Iced Galaxy
10-18-2003, 9:32 PM
well, i have kept weather loach before. they are fun to watch and hardy too. they also like cooler water too.
for more information go to Loach on-line (http://www.loaches.com/index.html)
Traci
10-21-2003, 11:49 AM
I have a school of white clouds in my unheated 30g, and added a pair of paradise fish. The paradise fish really steal the show, mating displays, vibrant color, elegant fins and body shape. Two would probably be a pretty big load for a 6 gallon, but if you go with a bigger tank they are very nice and fun to watch.
White Clouds are a great cold water fish. In a 6 gallon I wouldn't put more than 4 or 5 of them. I keep 5 in a 10 gallon and they are great fun. Very colourful and hardy. They do best in temp near 70F but can go as low as the high 50's for short periods of time. Not picky eaters either.
tricksterpup
10-21-2003, 1:22 PM
Chenell
None of the fish you listed will do well in a 2 gallon tank. There are cool water fish out there that will fit in a tank like this but are for the more advanced aquarist.
But if you get a 10 gallon then you could try the schooling fish (of atleast 6 each), such as danios, white clouds or some barbs.
But there isnt much you can add to a 2 gallon that is safe.
So the safest fish you could add is either a betta, paradise fish or a small colony of dwarf livebearers.
jim