Ideas for a Unique, Small Hex Tank

[tomm10]

I've just found out that my sister still has our first aquarium in storage. It was a gift from our aunt who bought it in the Phillipines.

I think its about an 8 gallon tank. Its 11" deep, 14" across (flat to flat) and each side is 8". Those measurements were relayed to me over the phone so I'm taking them with a grain of salt.

What is unique about the tank is that it is bamboo. The tank itself is glass but it is completely sheathed in bamboo with rounded corner, rectangular cut-outs on each side to view the fish. It comes with a pedestal base that is also made of bamboo and a six sided peaked canopy/roof. The Canopy has one side that opens to gain acces to the tank and the small stoare area in the canopy.

Here's where I need help:

1. 8 gallons is an odd size and rather small. I want to keep decoration to a minimum. Maybe just one centralized piece of driftwood or rock and one or two taller plants with some microsword. I don't want to jam fish into this thing. I could go for one school of smaller fish or one or two medium/small fish with some shrip or other bottom feeders.

2. Filtration will be an issue since there is no way I can use a HOB I don't think. The canopy doesn't allow for it as memory serves. what are my options?

Any ideas will be appreciated. I'll be picking it up from my sister this weekend and will post pics. Its a really pretty tank and I want to do it justice in its set up.

[OrionGirl]

I'm not a fan of hex tanks, since they have a relatively small surface area to depth ratio--and this can cause problems. I would setup a internal filter that is run by an airline. Minimal stuff going in and out, and the small filter won't take up much room, but the bubbles will help improve gas exchange.

For stocking it, look at licorice gouramie, and some cherry shrimp. Small, simple, easy. Add a low light plant like an anubias on a chunk of rock, and you're set.

[tricksterpup]

I am with Orion Girl on this, I would use an internal filter with an air pump. As for choices on the fish, I would stick with an Asian theme. :) If you can not find the gouramie, try either a Betta (wild form or even domesticated form) or a Paradise fish along with the shrimp named, but if you can not find those, try Amano (alage eating) shrimp. I like anubias too for a plant, but you can also try other low light plants, Java Fern or Java Moss.


jim

[TKOS]

8 gallon is enough for a small school of 5 white cloud minnows. They are a cloud water fish so keep that heater turned down if you have one. Otherwise they can survive fine down in the low 60's F. Still get a bubble filter and some plants and maybe a cleanup crew of shrimp or snails. They actually get to be close to 2 inches in size but require less swimming room than fish of a similar size.

[tomm10]

Here's a picture of the tank with stand. I just brought it home and it needs to be cleaned and checked for leaks.

I think I'm going to go with one of the Fluval internal filters (unless I hear some bad experiences).

I would really like to go with a sand in the tank but I've heard some bad things about it. Gravel might work if I could get it really small but I don't really want the rocky bottom of normal gravel.

Is there a small tetra I could get a school of in this size tank? I like the idea of a single betta with some shrimp an snails.

What about a bottom feeder/algae eater? Is there one small enough to be happy in this tank?

When I think about the fish we had in this thing when I was a kid it makes me cringe now. Two big gouramis, an algae eater probably a CAE), and a couple others I can't remember. What a crowd.

[sumoschro]

you could definitely ptu some panda cories or something like that in there, 2 or 3 of those would fit nicely, because they dont get big by any means. along with those you could get a pair of dwarf gouramies or a small school of tetras, like silver tips, would look good in that tank.

p.s. that IS a very interesting tank, i didnt imagine it like that!

[tomm10]

Thanks, sumoschro. I really like the tank. It would look good even without fish in it!

Okay, how's this plan sound:

1 Betta
3 Panda Corys
3-4 Ghost Shrimp (or amanos if I can find them here)

Black Gravel
1 simple, tall rock or driftwood in the center.
1 anubias or sword next to the rock
3-4 clumps of micro sword.

I'm going to have to rig up some lights. There's a cross bar in the canopy that I can mount some lights to. I may end up using a double incandescent fixture with compact flourescents unless I can find a cheap strip light under 15" long. The goal is 2 wpg or more.

[Rometiklan]

That's a really nice tank. I'm envious.

I like the plan you just laid out for this tank. Sounds like a cool project putting it all together.

I would also go with the Fluval internal power filter. Normally I recommend the AquaClear mini for a tank of this size, but seeing that this is a unique set-up, the internal filter is a good way to go.

Have fun!

[Dapple2]

I'm not usually a fan of tacky ornaments, but I've seen a buncha decent looking pagodo ones that would look really cool in that tank.

I'm thinking that the panda corys might not like the limited floor space, but other than that it looks like a neat idea.

[sumoschro]

i wouldnt worry about it if i were you.....the panda cories will have enough floor space i think, because that tank doenst look like it is too much taller than it is wide...i had a ten gallon hex and it was pretty tall but my 3 cories are still alive after two years of being in that tank. That tank setup sounds awesome, and the black gravel will look good in contrast to the brightly colored betta and those distinctive pandas. i cant wait to see the finished project!

[tomm10]

Ya, sumoschro, I'm not too worried about the pandas. The tank is 14" across (flat to flat) with 8" sides. There's a surprising amount of floor space there. I definitely wouldn't have more than three there though.

I hoping the sparse decoration and high contrast will make for an interesting tank. I can't wait. Hopefully I'll be up and running in a couple of weeks. I'll post pics when its done!

Thanks for all your help, everybody!

T

[Hans]

get a really wide solid tube, from home depot and put it in the middle making your tank a life saver shape, the fish would swim around for hours thinking they are getting somewhere ill bet

[sumoschro]

i dont know about that...not only would it decrease the space in the aquarium, but the tank is a hex, not cylindrical. that would also destroy tomm10's plan of putting in the centerpiece, which should look great btw:D

[Hans]

think about it man, it would be like a fish race track, just tie some frozen food to a stick and make htem chase it around the cirular tank hehe