desk top aquarium

[Gretchen]

I wanted a little friend to keep me company while I was working so I got a 2.5 gallon aquarium. I know it is small, but there was not a lot of space and I thought that there would be enough room for a little fish or two. I planted it with some easy to grow plants. For a filter I got a HOB with a 100 GPH. I know it is a kinda large for a 2.5 gallon, but it is all they had. Now the problem is what do I put in it. I going to go with a beta, but I am worried the current will be to strong. I don't mind doing more frequent water changes. Any suggestions for some fishy friends?

Oh the filter is running on my 125 gallon right now. So I will not be doing a fishy cycle. :dance2:

Thanks for any ideas.

[echoofformless]

That filter is pretty strong....too strong; and far far too strong for a betta.

Try one of those Red Sea nano filters or an Azoo Palm filter. They're pretty cool.

[justintoxicated]

I rubber-banded a filter sponge to the area under where the water flows out of my HOB filter, it Basicaly eliminated ALL strong current.

(Water flows to sponge and spongge slows down and disipates the current)
Give it a shot.

Downside is rubber bands don't last forever :P And my filter is 200gph ona 10 gallon so your ration is even farther off. but give it a shot and see what you think before you buy somethine else, when I did this I'm getting WAY more current from my 80gph internal filter partialy submerged (whisper 10i) than my 200 gph filter. I'd say the whisper has about 4 to 5 times the current of my Aquaclear at 200 gph after the sponge mod.

[Gena575]

What about an apple snail? The pomescea bridgesii (most common type sold) gets to about golf ball size and wouldn't bother your plants. I don't think the current would bother the snail either. Or you could try using justintoxicated's sponge modification with fishing line instead of the rubber band (it doesn't rot :) ) and go with an ADF or two or some shrimp maybe. There is a thread on General Freshwater right now about small tanks...some nice tanks there!

[Gretchen]

Thank you.

I will check out the tread about small tanks.

I am guessing I have to do something to the filter or buy another one because the flow is really strong.

[mvigor]

Yes your filter moves the entire contents of the tank every 40 seconds. :)

Same thing as having a 2,200 GPH filter on a 55 gallon tank.

[mooman]

I've heard of nano-reefers using HOB filters as refugiums. To do this, they need to slow down the flow a ton. They have suggested snipping off two of the four impeller blades.

[mvigor]

Yeah, good idea. Cut off two opposite blades. That's a good thought!

[Emg]

Here's a link to a thread about small tanks if you care to check it out. Some info on stocking and taking care of the nano version of our favorite hobby !

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71486

[UncaBret]

I use a Nano on my 2.5. Even on low it does the job.

[joephys]

Some people might shun this, but I would put a betta in there and not have a filter, and do frequent water changes. I would keep like a 1 liter bottle and change out that much water every coulpe of days.

[minnesotagal866]

Another option is a couple of shrimp-amano shrimp are fairly large and interesting to watch. Add a few plants, change water weekly, and there's no need for a filter or heater.

jackie

i second the motion for a red sea nan filter if you go that route.

[mykidsmylife]

Some people might shun this, but I would put a betta in there and not have a filter, and do frequent water changes. I would keep like a 1 liter bottle and change out that much water every coulpe of days.


actually....I don't have a filter on my 5 gallon betta bowl. I could...but chose not too. Instead I have some live plants in with her and do daily water changes. She is doing just great! I think as long as you keep your water changes up and water quality at it's best...it is probably best NOT to have a filter on a betta tank.

Where is our Mighty Queen? She is our resident betta expert!

[Gretchen]

I rubber-banded a filter sponge to the area under where the water flows out of my HOB filter, it Basicaly eliminated ALL strong current.

Thanks. I used a sponge where the water flows out of the HOB. It worked like a charm. The water is no longer disturbed by the flow. But the flow should still be the same right? Well, it does not matter--even if it was cut by half or more it would still be more than enough for my little environment.

Thanks for all the suggestions.