TripleB

After getting the 6 gallon Eclipse tank set up in my son's room is was obvious that it was too large for the space we had set aside for it....therefore I took it back and picked up the Eclipse 3 gallon aquarium (perfect size): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...%20gallon&Np=1

I have acouple more questions and then I'll try to leave you alone for a while:

1) Can you recommend a heater that would be appropriate for the 3 gallon tank? The only one I've found locally is a Top Fin model and it gets horrible reviews. There are several I've found on the internet but was hoping to have the tank up and cycling by December 27th. The ones that look like they might fit my needs are: A) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=12087, B) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...5&pcatid=18445, C) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=11368, D) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=12060. If I have to order one, which of those four do you feel is the best bet for my needs?

2) What type of fish and how many would you recommend for the 3 gallon tank?

3) Would a snail or an algae eater do a better job of helping "clean" the tank?

4) Would it hurt the tank any to go ahead and set it up (water, plants, decoration, filter running) and then wait about 5 days before I start the cycling process?

Thanks for all your tremendous help over the past couple weeks. I couldn't be this far along without you.

TripleB

Barbrella

Those 7.5 and 10 watt heaters might be okay if the room is kept very warm - over 75 degrees.

But I would get the 25 watt you linked. That's what I have in my 2.5 gallon tanks and it works great.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=11368

You can't put much in a 3 gal tank except a betta, or maybe 3 neon tetras.

With the tetras you could put a small snail, but you must be vigilant about water changes. Some bettas will allow tankmates, others will allow nothing alive.

How are you planning on cycling it? The very best way is with used filter medium from an established tank. Do you know anyone who could give you some?

TheEssigs

Hi, I think that you might find that with a tank that small, the light may provide all the heat you need. I find that happens with my Eclipse Explorer (2g). I need to watch how long the light is on, otherwise the water temp gets up near 80-82.

But should you need a good little heater... the mini heater you listed in your original post (item A) should work fine!

on the site the have it listed as:

Mini Heater:
*Especially for small 2-5 gallon desktop glass or acrylic aquariums
*Flat, compact, space-saving design hides easily
*Completely submersible, safe, and easy to use

susitna-flower

If you want to start the cycling process without messing around over the Holiday, you could set it all up, and drop in a chunk of raw salmon. Just let things go then, you won't have to even test the water till you have free time. When your ammonia and nitrite are back down to 0 and the nitrates up around 5 you then take any of the meat out, and change 50% of the water, and add your fish. Good Luck

0morrokh

You're sure you can't get anything bigger than a 3gal? The problem with small tanks is that they tend to be unstable and a lot more difficult to maintain than a bigger tank. Even if you could get a 5gal it would be better.

With just 3gals you could get a betta but Only a betta. Algae eaters tend to produce too much waste for smaller tanks. That small of a tank isn't ideal for a betta but it would be ok.

TripleB

I've purchased, or ordered, everything I need for the 3 gallon aquarium I'm putting in my sons room except for the fish.

What fish (and how many) would work well in a 3 gallon aquarium?

I was thinking possibly 3 Neons and a snail?? Any other options?

Thanks.

TripleB

TripleB

Thanks.....I ordered one this morning and it should be here Friday.

TripleB

TripleB

That's my absolute MAX right now.

TripleB

Barbrella

I mentioned the neon/snail thing in your other thread.

You could put 5 White Cloud Mountain fish instead of the neons, but that's about the limit.

As for the snail, some will eat algae and also leftover food, but in a 3 gal tank the mess they put out might outweigh any benefit of having one.

0morrokh

Ok, it'll work but you might have to keep a closer eye on the parameters to make sure they don't get out of whack.

Nessie!!!

Neon Tetras defentily, or Guppies easy fish to begin with. And they fit the tank size.

≈ D ≈

Here's my on how to stock that 3 gal tank. Put in your gravel, decor etc but no water and don't turn the heater on just yet

Now use a measuring jug to fill up the tank taking note of how much water you end up using to fill it - it will be less than 3 gallons due to the gravel and decor displacing some of the water. Once it's full you can switch on the heater.

Use the 1" of fish per gallon of water rule to find out the maximum number of fish you can have; this will probably be near 2½". Find fish that at adult growth, will be 2½" in length or less. After the tank's parameters have settled and you've done the partial water change, purchase your fish, acclimatize it/them, pop it/them in and enjoy.

0morrokh

The inch per gallon rule doesn't necessarily work for a tank that small because most fish, even if technically they're small enough for the tank, need a lot more room, or else they need to be kept in groups. For those reasons the only fish I'd recommend for a tank that size is a female Betta.

TripleB

Nessie!!!

With Guppies I would personly try to go with the same gender because if you don't thier most likely to reprouduce. I'm not sure with the neons or the Zebra Danios. Read on the home page about them but they make great pets!

Nessie!!!

It depends on what kind of Guppy. The ones at Wal Mart, where I got my fish because of the Holiday Rush, and the lack of Pet Stores, have nice tiny, and pretty male guppies. They are fairly small and would do nicely in a 3 gallon tank I think

Rbacchiega

If you go the guppy route go only males or only females. One of each will spawn and you'll be buying a new tank for the fry or culling them. A 3 gallon would look nice with two or three white cloud minnows (not just a feederfish anymore!) and a snail of some sort. Nerite snails are good as they don't reproduce unless they are placed in a marine environment (salt water)

But I would definately take a look at white clouds

TripleB

COBettaCouple

3 Neons would overstock a 3g tank and a snail would make it much worse with the waste they put out.

You could put some cherry shrimp in there or a trio of endlers in it.

COBettaCouple

2 (or more) females to each male is the ratio to keep them in, but al 3 of those fish would overstock a 3g tank. You could still put a trio in, but would need more frequent water changes and cleaning. Neons would be the best fit. Danios are bigger and Guppies would quickly breed.

Barbrella

You should never keep any tetras, including neons, alone. They are schooling fish and do not do well if there's only one.

metal_fish

I would suggest putting a betta in there and nothing else, others may disagree but my betta is in a 2.5 gallon tank and is thriving so its personall choice. But Probably the way to go is a betta just make sure to keep up with maintence to keep it healthy and happy.

COBettaCouple

A Betta could work in a 3g tank, especially if there is activity in the room. Bettas are very curious fish that enjoy interaction with people. They love to watch things and being talked to. The Bettas we have near the computer screens even will spend time watching the screens.

One thing I just thought of - any sprays or powders that could go up in the air would be best to be done away from the aquarium as stuff can drift into the tank through the air.

0morrokh

I would never put gups in a 3 gal tank. They are active fish and need more room to swim around-I wouldn't put them in less than a 10gal. Fish like minnows or tetras need to be kept in shoals of 6 or more, and 6 fish is way too many for a 3gal, so I wouldn't put them in that small of a tank either.

susitna-flower

All my Betta friends here on Fishlore would probably agree, that they are hard to beat when you are limited in space, as they make up for it in personality!

It is sad we can't talk you into a larger tank, but for the purpose at hand I am sure you know what you can use. NOW, that we have that settled, WHAT are you going to get for the living room?

Isn't there some piece of furniture you can move out to slip in a 150 gallon tank? Maybe next year

Merry Christmas

TripleB

Rbacchiega

I guess this depends on the dimensions of a tank as well. A taller three gallon would not work too well, but if it's a longer one, possibly.

Either way tripleb, you're going to have to be dilligent with water changes.
I've had 4 white cloud minnows in a 5gallon with an otto cat and some small live plants and they are thriving. Yes, thriving. I've had them for over 2 years.

Anyways, you'll always have people telling you various things in a setting such as a forum... but the best way is to take everything said here, plus information you have read yourself, and draw your own conclusions. I go by what has worked for me, where as someone else might have something else work well for them.

Best of luck

0morrokh

Don't worry about it, I don't think there are any of us here who didn't need a lot of help at the beginning. I know I did.

Bettas are better off in 5-10gals but they can be kept in 3 gals as long as you make sure to keep the water nice and clean.

Gups aren't happy alone, they need to be kept in groups, and 3 gals can't support a group of them...so I would say no to this option.

Again WC's need to be kept in large groups, and plus they are active fish and need more room to swim around, and they get to 2" so even 2-3 would be overstocking the tank.

You couldn't put shrimp with a Betta cause they'll become lunch....but you could do a shrimp-only tank, that'd be pretty cool.

TripleB

Thanks....with all the questions I've been asking recently I'm sure many are getting upset with me....I hope they'll put up with me until I get my tank set up and running.

Is there anything that can live in the tank with a Betta?

Thanks for your help.

TripleB

TripleB

I had narrowed the possibilities of fish for my son's 3 gallon tank down to the following: A) 1 Betta, B) 1 Guppy, C) 2 or 3 White Cloud Minnows.

After some reading and some input from others it seems like "A" would be my best bet. Does anyone feel differently?

My question is: if I go with option A is there anything else that I can put in that tank with the Betta? Another fish or something that roams the 'deep' of the aquarium floor?

Thanks for all your help. I'm going to try to make this my last post. Christmas is upon us and all the items for me to start cycling my tank will be here on Friday.

TripleB