Desktop Aquarium

[0live]

So I've been looking at picking up a small aquarium for my office. Maybe a small planted shrimp tank. I know there are a lot of small tanks on the market but I was hoping you guys might have some ideas on brands/models to lean towards based on what I'm doing.

My plan is to put this lil' tank on my filing cabinet (the green thing next to my desk.)

 

[OrionGirl]

i have 2 Evolve 4 gallon tanks running right now, and they're nice. Easy to setup and access all the relevant bits, plus the include a decent cover. I also have a Spec 5, and really like it. What are the measurements? What else is on there? Easy access to outlets, secure from being bumped?

 

[0live]

well I don't have a tape measure on me.. but i'd guess about 14" wide 30" deep.

Right now All I've got on there is my water bottle, a bottle of aloe for my sun burn and a small lego spaceship.

It's a pretty solid filing cabinet, and because of where it is, I don't see it getting knocked around.. I'm the only one who walks by it. If mu boss comes in the office he likes to sit on the opposite filing cabinet while we chat..

There are outlets to the left of my desk.

 

[0live]

I like both of those tanks.. Hows the lighting on them? Plant friendly?

 

[0live]

I'm actually at the point where I'm considering building my own nano tank. That way I could do something fairly shallow (8 or 10 inches maybe?)

Thoughts?




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[authmal]

I like both of those tanks.. Hows the lighting on them? Plant friendly?

Those setups both have surprisingly good lighting. I've seen many an Evolve tank that had pico reefs (including corals), and if I recall correctly, the Spec 5 has pretty similar lighting.

 

[authmal]

I'm actually at the point where I'm considering building my own nano tank. That way I could do something fairly shallow (8 or 10 inches maybe?)

Thoughts?




Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

I think it's a bit risky at that depth. As I understand it, most heaters have the safety equipment installed at the top, triggered by unusual heat rising. You would be forced to install horizontally (rendering the safety mechanisms useless) or use one (or more) of those heater pads that are preset to raise to either a specific temperature or a specific value above room temperature, and are not adjustable. Also, at that depth, temperature changes would happen pretty quickly, and the more surface area there, the greater the amount of evaporation. That depth also makes it more difficult to use anything beyond a sponge filter or low pressure canister filter system.

 

[bobsaget]

i have a 6g fluval edge. i love it, it looks great. it doesnt come with a heater so you will need to buy one. and my heater i have in there, i have to lay horizontal ish.. the tank is only like 12ish inches tall. i have 8 of these boraras maculatus (sp?). they're like super tiny rasboras..they'd get along with the shrimp just fine too. hes what they look like http://www.seriouslyfish.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Boraras-maculatus.jpg

 

[0live]

I think it's a bit risky at that depth. As I understand it, most heaters have the safety equipment installed at the top, triggered by unusual heat rising. You would be forced to install horizontally (rendering the safety mechanisms useless) or use one (or more) of those heater pads that are preset to raise to either a specific temperature or a specific value above room temperature, and are not adjustable. Also, at that depth, temperature changes would happen pretty quickly, and the more surface area there, the greater the amount of evaporation. That depth also makes it more difficult to use anything beyond a sponge filter or low pressure canister filter system.

good point, though tetra i know makes small <7" heaters..

 

[authmal]

The lighting on the Edges is typically insufficient for much of anything to grow.