Should I Buy Jebo 5 Gallon Micro Curved Glass Aquarium?

[H2OGarden]

I'm an American, bigger = better...more more more!


EDIT: What I meant to say was, I've got both male and female bettas in both 10 and 20 (tall) tank and neither of them have any trouble breathing at all. I'd probably not worry about the height constraints for that particular reason.

My king betta didn't seem to like having to swim so far up (18"). He would take half the journey, pause, and then complete it to catch a breath.

Plus, I like the looks of the EcoPico, and so close to me it'll feel smaller. Bigger won't fit on my small desk! And it would make me feel 'smothered' too.

It's not settled, but i like the way it looks. Paying for looks is just as valid as the function in my book, within reason. That partly why i keep fish - for looks, though I like bettas for their personalities as well.

 

[H2OGarden]

Maybe it's just me but I don't understand why you would pay so much for a tank that is half the size of one you can get for MUCH cheaper.

Anyways, if you are set on a 5g then you have more options...

http://www.google.com/search?source...pw.r_cp.&fp=d72f337985aac0f1&biw=1366&bih=643

Thanks for the search links.

If I could have just a plain $10 5g glass tank that I could fit with a quality all-in-one hood with LED or decent flourescent lighting, decent 3-stage silent filtration I would. I used to see cheap 5g glass tanks all the time before those acrylic kits were sold. I've looked for a while but now can't find one. :headshake2:


For various reasons, I like none of those tanks in the link, except the EcoPico though I'm still open to a good competitor.

I previously owned the acrylic Mini Bows and gave them away. I didn't want the acrylic Eclipse Hex because I want glass after the experience with the Mini Bows. Plus those tanks are taller than I want - wrong dimensions for the capacity.

I can't tell what the Marina kit includes. I had already investigated it but couldn't tell what sort of filtration, hood and light it has. Also, I didn't like the dimensions or the price. To me, $45 is too much for a low-end tank kit. Penny wise, pound foolish (said nicely, not being snarky ). I'd rather pay more for attractive quality components without the extra junk that kit includes. If it's actually worth the price, please let me know.

I never liked the looks of the Fluval Chi or the open top, but the new Fluval Ebi (shrimp) and Plant kits are pretty nice, though not as quite as pretty as the EcoPico. At their high prices, and specialization I don't need or want, I'd be better off with something else.


Plus, none of those tanks, except the EcoPico, have LED lighting, which I've wanted since they came out on the Nano Cube. My tank is currently 82+ degrees F because of ambient temps, so I can't run my CF lights or heater. No lights, no plants, and it's hard to see coloration of the fish. So LED, no-change-for-50,000-hours-lights sound good to me.

If you can find a comparable kit or components for cheaper, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks.

 

[H2OGarden]

I don't like low-end acrylic like Mini Bows and Eclipses. I've found they can look nice at first, then they get scratched no matter how careful I am. And I don't like incandescent lighting they use. Actually, I think usually they look cheap. I did like the All-Glass colorful translucent Mini Bows, but I'm not fond of the materials used by their new manufacturer. :headshake2:

If I could only afford the expensive acrylic but alas, I can't! So glass it is! And all my old tanks growing up were glass anyway, so I'm used to it.

 

[teigan666]

i say just go get a fluval edge and your set may have to put diff lights in but its all up to you seems like a very nice allround tank

 

[H2OGarden]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

[Rev_Jim_Jones]

A note on the Ecoxotic Pico While it may says its 5G after some substrate, minor decoration, and the filter it is more like 4 Gallonsish of Water. I bought it for my daughter because it looked good, went well with the living room, and I didn't have to pay extra for the glass top (I was going for something a little different actually). I'll post pictures tommorrow, mind you it is a bit garish after all a 7 year old girl scaped it.

 

[H2OGarden]

A note on the Ecoxotic Pico While it may says its 5G after some substrate, minor decoration, and the filter it is more like 4 Gallonsish of Water. I bought it for my daughter because it looked good, went well with the living room, and I didn't have to pay extra for the glass top (I was going for something a little different actually). I'll post pictures tommorrow, mind you it is a bit garish after all a 7 year old girl scaped it.

lucky girl! Looking for ward to the pics!

Is there still enough water to cycle the tank after adding substrate? What about if I use the minimal amount for a plated tank or no plants if necessary.

I just prefer to cycle to save stress and wear and tear on both the fish and myself. The bettas I had in small tanks hated total water changes and cleaning when I had to remove them from the tanks and I lost two to shock. The one in my cycled 8 g loved water changes, and liked to look at the detritus rising in the tube and to play with my hands.

 

[Rev_Jim_Jones]

Yes plenty to cycle with I swapped the Carbon bag filter insert with coarse sponge and did a canned bacteria/ ammonia cycle on it. and to be sure I dumped my wild type RCS (that is red cherry shrimp that have no red) in there.
And actually The Betta and Shrimp seem to ignore each other.
I have some guppy grass in there and it is growing but I still do a 25% change a week. the Betta ignores me when I change the water

 

[H2OGarden]

Thanks, Rev_Jim_Jones.

I contacted Ecoxotic again about the filter after i saw this, and here is their response:

1) The sponge is not permanent, you can add biofilter material if you like.
2) It does not include any media, the mechanical sponge material can be found at any local aquarium store.
3) It [the filter] is not adjustable, however with media inside it works fine with betta's for slower water movement.

Sincerely,
The Ecoxotic Team

Sounds perfect. No added expense of proprietary media, and I add could anything I wanted! Yippee! Best of all, i could slow down the flow for my betta!

I looked at the ADA and Fennix (sp), and other similar tanks and this one seems best for the betta, plants (can add extra light strips to light arm for medium and high light plants), space, and I have for it, price, and looks. I do wish the silicone wasn't black - those ADA tanks are just so much better looking with the clear seams.

Thanks for showing me such a nice rimless tank. I was trying to make myself like the looks of the Fluval Ebi (there's just something about it), and just not use their stuff except the filter. I never again want a tank with a tray across the top for filtration after my boy got in it and died.

Terri

 

[H2OGarden]

I decided to go with an ADA Mini M rimless tank. 5.5g high clarity glass, long shallow rectangle - $50-70. Can buy lid - $15

I decided EcoPica 12,000K lighting wasn't so great for planted tank. That was the turning point for me. The ADA tank has a 8,000K light made especially for planted tanks. I plan to use their Aqua Soil Nano Substrate system for $45 total.

I'll just have to fill in aftermarket where necessary (filtration, DIY CO2), as it doesn't come in a kit or is too expensive.