Okay, so yesterday I was wandering through Goodwill and came across a pretty cool-looking mini-aquarium, and after making sure the light worked I bought it, figuring that surely there was some fish that could live happily inside it. It's lighted, but not filtered or heated, and holds about five cups of water. But are there? At first, I was thinking a tetra or two, but then I read up on them and they don't do well in groups of one or two. Are there any fish that could live happily in an aquarium that size, or should I invest in robotic fish? Also, what would the maintenance be like on a tank that size? How often should the water be cleaned?
Mini-Aquarium?
- Thread starter Lisa_Moza
- Start date
5 cups as in 1.25 gallons? Not much you can do with that. If you get a filter and the lights keep the water warm enough, you could house a single betta if you do frequent water changes, but even that is pushing it. Best bet is probably a few shrimp. 1.25 gallons is really not enough space for fish and water quality would fall rapidly, especially without a filter.
1 gallon is 16 cups..
so at 5 cups i would say not much..get a small clump of java moss and a small floating plant like salvinia or duck weed...throw in 1-2 ghost shrimp or cherry shrimp.
feed tiny amounts ever 3-5 days and do 30% water change every 3-5 days as well.
even with that little of stocking be sure to not over feed..that is almost no water at all so..good luck.
so at 5 cups i would say not much..get a small clump of java moss and a small floating plant like salvinia or duck weed...throw in 1-2 ghost shrimp or cherry shrimp.
feed tiny amounts ever 3-5 days and do 30% water change every 3-5 days as well.
even with that little of stocking be sure to not over feed..that is almost no water at all so..good luck.
Dope.... Apparently I need to go back to school. I had cup and quart mixed up. But yeah, 1/3 of a gallon I would only do a few shrimp, if that. If you want a nano aquarium you are better off getting a 5-6 gallon, then you can at least put some nano fish or get a good shrimp colony going.
You could probably do 3 or 4. I would get cherry shrimp, they are the hardiest and can accept the widest ranges of parameters. If you do lots of live plants, they will be very visible,especially if you get the sakura or fire red versions. You will probably have to do weekly water changes still though, especially since you dont have a filter. 1/3 of a gallon really isnt much to work with and honestly, you will probably be a happier camper if you just ditch it and get something bigger.
I can sustain about 5-6 adults in my ~1 gallon setup so with that volume I wouldn't risk it, especially without filtration. I'd maybe get some moss and call it good if you want anything.