Mini tanks and the new fishkeeper

[webcricket]

There are some pluses to the small tank setups you find in pet stores. For one thing, the presence of an actual filter makes them a much better choice than the always-popular goldfish bowl or tiny plastic 'betta keeper' that are usually found in these stores.

Some small tanks now come with 9 & 11 watt CF lights, which is perfect for growing many species of live plants--and plants are an excellent way to improve water quality if they're well cared for.

IMO water quality is dependent more on stocking levels and feeding amounts than whether the tank is large or small. For example, a moderately stocked small tank that is not overfed can be easily maintained with weekly water changes. Conversely, an overstocked or overfed new 20 gallon can become a toxic mess in a short time.

Maintenance and cleaning of a small tank may be challenging for some who are used to larger tanks, but the bonus is that it only takes a few minutes to do!

Temperature control in 2 to 7 gallon tanks is easy to achieve with a 25 watt heater.

I began my journey into fish keeping with one of these tank setups, and had success. I adore small tanks in general and to me bigger is just not better. As the saying goes--"it's not the size that matters, it's what you do with it!"

All very valid points! I am also a fan of smaller tanks! It sounds to me though like you did some research starting out with your tank, or even if you made mistakes early on, you stuck with it and learned. But many people will listen to what the pet store tells them and never go looking for another source of information. They'll fail, be discouraged, and give up the tank. They'll see that the tank has a filter, and possibly assume they won't have to do water changes at all (how many posts have you seen here with people looking for that magical filter to cure them of water changes forever). They'll read that the kit includes "everything" and not bother with a heater.

I just think these small prepackaged set-ups make it too easy for people new to the hobby to fail right out of the gate.

 

[bettagurl]

And does this little Betta appreciate all my efforts? No, every time he comes over to my side of the tank and sees me, he flares at me. The little ingrate.

QUOTE]
he probably gets scared and mad that you are in his tank all the time,anyway,great thread!

 

[jm1212]

good job! :dance2:

this reminds me of my brothers 5 gallon and my sisters 2 gallon. it was EXTREMELY hard to get the ammoina down when i was trying to keep the ammoina and nitrite where i wanted them after they would add a fish and set the tank into a semi- cycle. everything worked out in the end and both tanks look great

 

[fishcatch22]

nice article, I think the mods should move this to the article corner, though, or make it a sticky here.

 

[Max]

I think that this is excellent Captn! bump
this should so be a sticky at least!