Small tanks

I have both big and small tanks and enjoy them equally. I have a 125 gallon, 75 gallon, 55 gallon, 29 gallon, 20, 2 tens, and I just started a 2.5 gallon. I think they are all great. It is too expensive for me to plant my larger tanks, so I plant the small ones and really like the plants. (They are low tech but still very nice plants)

Glad to see so many people enjoying tanks of any size.

By the way, great thread---lots of good information!
 
Since my BeeGobie Died, im wondering what to stock in my 3 gallon now.

I wanted to put a dwarf puffer in there but I'm getting mixed responses on doing this. the 3 gallon has quite a good filter and lights so I can plant the tank very easily.
 
I'm thinking of getting a 5-6 Gallon Eclipse tank to go in my kitchen area but can't decide what to put in it. Dwarf Puffers are too tiny, a Betta would work but I'd like something that moves around more. I was thinking of getting a couple of Cories to go in there, would be nice to see them zipping around while preparing dinner at night.

Getting a small tank is easy, the hard part is finding fish that will stay small and be happy enough with a small tank.
 
Check out: http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/ for info on dwarf puffers. There is also a forum for specific questions that you have. Forum: http://dwarfpuffers.com/forum/

I couldnt handle it any longer and bought a second 5 gallon "minibow" tank. And am also looking at dwarf puffers. From what i have read from that and other sites is the recommended 1 dwarf puffer for every 2-3 gallons. Allowing you to have one in your 3 gallon. With a 5 gallon planted tank 2 are usually recommended.

Tankmates that go good with dwarf puffers are:
Otos
Ghost Shrimp
Success varies but many people have had good success with keeping ADFs with there dwarf puffers.

If you really want dwarf puffers check out the site and post a question on the forums.


- Jighead
 
Emg said:
Five gallon "river" tank:
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Emg:
Would it be possible for you to post a little how-to on this tank? It looks like a really cool small tank project. I'm wondering specifically how you created the land section, how it is filtered and where is the heater hidden? Very inspirational setup by the way.

Oh yeah . . . and how is it being lit?
 
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mrgrudge said:
a Betta would work but I'd like something that moves around more.
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I have bettas in both my 55g and my 10g and they both swim around constantly. The 55g is a community tank, but the 10g has only the betta and a couple of snails. Most bettas dont swim much because they are not provided the opportunity.
 
I guess so. I just feel bad for all those bettas sitting in cups whenever I go into a Petsmart. The one by my home has them in bad condition, the bottoms of the cups are covered it filth. The one by my work must be actually changing the water as they always look fairly clean when I inspect them.

That mini-river tank is awesome. I have a 10 gallon in the basement (old terrarium) that I was thinking of using for something like that but I though it was probably to small.
 
I have heard that when bettas are kept in those little cups or very small tanks for too long it actually causes their muscles to break down and it is harder for them to swim. Similar to someone who has been bed ridden for a long period of time. Once they have been in larger quarters for awhile they build up their muscle and therefore can swim better.
 
I wish I had taken pics of the tank while I was setting it up....but I didn't :huh:

I used a piece of plexiglass/lexan for a platform. I made a form from cardboard and my husband cut it to size at work. I siliconed it to the side of the tank by laying the tank on it's side and putting a heavy bead of silicone along the bottom edge of the platform and also the top edge. I proped it up with something, can't remember what, until it dried. It seems to be on there solid enough, but I am careful about pressing down on it anytime I fuss around with the plantings. If I were to do this again I'd make little plexiglass stilts for the platform, siliconing a few thin 'legs' under the platform just for good measure.

I have a sponge filter along the back wall under the platform, there is no heater. I have ADFs, a few endlers and one male betta in there, along with 2 redbellied newts, who stay up on the platform.... we keep our thermostat set at 70-72 in our house during the winter so the temps stay warm enough for the betta. I had tried to put a heater in it when I added the betta, but it didn't work out for some reason....temps wouldn't stay stable. Figured a steady 70-72 was better than 85 one day, then 70 the next.

I scooped some echo-complete for planted aquarium from one of my tanks and put a layer of it on the platform, along with a little bit of flourite. Picked a few small plants for it and set them in the substrate, putting a layer of moss that I got from my backyard...over all of that. I have many types of moss to choose from back there...lol...

That's it ! I do have to occasionally replace the moss with fresh, which is no problem at all. I just did a trimming and moss replacement in the tank this past week. I'll take some pics after I get back from NC.

I really like this tank as well....it's a no muss no fuss setup, just take the sponge off the filter from time to time and rinse it in the old tank water and wipe the sides down on occassion as well. All the fish in there are doing very well, also the frogs, which I've had for about 2 or 3 years now !

The only thing I would change in this tank is the gravel. I'm not happy with the color of what I have in there...not sure what I would replace it with if I ever do...but something less "brownish/orange"....maybe small river pepples with more of a greyish color, with a few larger pepples here and there.....

Anyway.....glad you enjoy it Tuvok !

OH...forgot to answer the "how is it being lit" question.............This tank has a light over it that comes with the hood. I can't remember what the wattage is, but I believe the bulb is a 12inch bulb, not sure....and I'm in NC right now and can't check...lol....
 
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