Seavision Bubble Aquariums

[tawnylane]

Please don't scold me!

I haven't keep fish in a very long time - but my husband's practice has move to a wonderful new building with lots of natural light (some very direct, but will probly screen with plants). The waiting room is long and we have divided it into 2 separate areas. As it is a pediatric practice, we needed something that the kiddos will not likely climb on and that will attract their attention - soooo - looked on the net and saw: double bubble aquariums. 25g, acrylic, uses ONLY UGF (no way to hang anything, but could place internal filter). DH is absolutely bent on having SW, but the more I read, the less it seems possible. Orandas would be quite striking in there, or maybe going brackish? The tanks are just sitting there, driving me crazy until I get enough info to make a mostly-fully informed decision! The ambient room temp is fairly stable, but the heat gain from the light might make it too warm for the carp?

HELP!!!

 

[Prometheus]

I take it you've already bought the double bubble?

Only thing I can suggest is with that size tank (and probably type donno anything about double bubble sounds like that plasma fish tank thing) don't go SW.

If you haven't gotten it, go bigger in a DR.'s office a 25g tank (unless it's in the wall, and even then..) looks tiny and skimpy so to speak...

Bigger tank are also easier to tank care of...

As far as using only UGF thats gonna be a bad idea (in almost all cases) unless they have some kind of new fangled tech. I haven't seen yet... All that fish waste and junk probably will just decay trapped in the rocks and will lead to a world of problems...

Also direct sun light on a tank is VERY bad (read : algea is out of control no matter what).

Your heater(s) in the tank will keep your temp proper (unless the office air temp will be above the desired tank temp, which is unlikely).

Give us some more info...

 

[tawnylane]

Okay - yes we have the tanks - 2 of them. DH is very particular about the 'look' he wants and he doesn't want an actual 'wall', so a 55g or so is out. These 2 (or possibly 3) will be staggered heights next to each other with plants between them, so will not be just stuck out there. They have UG with power heads, but I am looking at some internal filter systems. As I said, I thought SW would be completely out of the question. What about brackish though?

 

[Aquarius0015]

I take it that you prefer salt water because SW fish are bright and beautiful? I might be making enemies here, but from what I understand brackish tanks combine some of the extra upkeep of SW but the fish still resemble FW fish more (dimmer colors in general). So brackish is not an ideal situation if you are looking for colorful, easy to care for fish.

Also, most LFS do not carry as wide a selection of BW fish as SW and FW, so stocking the tank would be an issue. You could keep puffers in a BW, but they require live feedings and that is a bit of a chore for an office environment. If you want easy, inexpensive, colorful fish, try platies, swordtails or tetras. Shrimp would probably really amuse the kids, if you can keep them alive (grumble....).

 

[tawnylane]

Originally posted by Aquarius0015
Shrimp would probably really amuse the kids, if you can keep them alive (grumble....).

LOL Shrimp might be an excellent idea. Never tried to keep them before tho'. Are we talking freshwater species here, or are some brackish? Are the freshwater (if that's what you mean) easy to find - both to purchase and in the tank?
And yes, DH wants SW because they are bright and colorful. We have looked at mollies, swords, orandas, goldfish, gourami, cichlids: none are 'pretty' enough for him. Personally, my last long-time tanks (5-6 years with almost no loss-of-life) was a 20g H with UG, some sort of hangon Power filter, with blackwater tetras - very pretty, easy to keep. And let's not forget my poor baby oscar who finally had to find a new home at about 6"! Very tame....
So, I have no problem with tetras - it's going to take some doing to convince HIM.

BTW, even tho' they're only 25G, these things take up quite a bit of room: they are completely spherical, with a wide rhombus frame that supports the sphere. There is very little surface area exposed to air, since the 'cover' is only about 10"x8". Since it is SO amazing how little attention parents pay to their own children, things have to be as child-proof as possible (I can't imagine what would happen if any sort of filtration were even a little exposed:argh )

Thanks for all your comments. Any more advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by tawnylane


LOL Shrimp might be an excellent idea. Never tried to keep them before tho'. Are we talking freshwater species here, or are some brackish? Are the freshwater (if that's what you mean) easy to find - both to purchase and in the tank?
And yes, DH wants SW because they are bright and colorful.

I have 6 Ghost shrimp (aka glass shrimp) in my 55, they do fine in FW. I haven't seen a need to added even a dash of aqarium salt. They are all over my LFS's (live fish store) and range in price from 12 for $3 or 25-40 cents a peice.

Neon tetras are cheap and very colorful as the name suggests and range from 75 cents for tiny babies to $1.25 for 'jumbo' (hehehe a jumbo neon tertra :laugh: )

Diamond tetras are really pretty (IMO) very shinny and 'glittery' esp. under the right light. ($3.00-5.00)

One tank with a few ghost shrimp, 10 neons and 3 diamond tetras would make a really nice looking tank.

Anyone else have suggestions for the one (two)?