ollyaaa

Hi!

New to these forums, looks like its full of very knowledgeable people, so thought I would try to get some advice.

I have kept fish for a number of years, but got rid of my large tank because I left for uni and couldn't look after it anymore.

Since then I come home every weekend and would like to set up a low maintenance, cheap, small but healthy tank.

Unsure on tank capacity in terms of liters, but from what I remember its about a ft and a half wide, a ft deep and about a ft high, so its very small.

I want to set up a tank that replicates a real habitat for the fish I keep in there, I would ideally like to replicate a habitat that has barely any plants, not sure how feasible this is though.

I know this is a big ask, but could some people please please recommend the following things

- pH, Nitrogen levels etc.
- Possible Habitats to replicate
- Species of fish (including ground feeders etc)


I will use my existing heater and filter (the type that uses a sponge and creates a current, sorry forget the name).


Please bear in mind I would like a realistic, interesting, non ambitious project that I will come home to on the weekends (I can get my family to feed them during the week).

ALSO - harmony between the inhabitants is my main goal, nothing more frustrating than having a nice looking tank, but a pair of gouramis fighting constantly!

Many thanks in advance

Olly


PS - Although I want to keep it simple, the more obscure the suggestion the better + I would favor keeping less fish that are slightly bigger than keeping schools, however this isn't a bit issue.

UPDATE : ok the tank is ABOUT 31 liters or 7 UK gallons (I think thats about 8.5 us gallons)

jsalemi

I'm following a South/Central America theme in my 56g (pics in the Member's Tanks forum); the current inhabitants listed in my sig are all from that part of the world. I'll be adding probably more platys and 2 angels in the near future.

There's also South Asia themes, and African Lake themes that some folks here follow.

pH depends on the fish you decide on, but with few exceptions, most fish adapt to the pH that comes out of your tap. This is especially true of fish you buy locally, since they're already used to the same or similar water you're going to put in your tank. As for 'nitrogen levels', read this about the nitrogen cycle: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

And welcome to FishLore! You'll find a lot of great info and helpful folks here.

Rbacchiega

Sounds to me like your tank is a 10 gallon, which in some regards limits you but not alot. If your looking for something out of the ordinary, look at puffers. 1 or 2 figure eight ot green spotted puffers would do well for a while in a 10 gallon, but you'd have to upgrad later. Or get 2 oe 3 dwarf puffers. these little guys stay pretty smal, but have attitude!

I like Sparkling Gouramis for a 10 gallon. Full size for these guys is 1.5 inches, so a group of 1 male and 2 females would do well along with 3 ottos and 3 dwarf corydoras. Then it's up to you what you can add if anything else, but keep in mind they need to be the same size or smaller than the gouramis

other than that, standard fish IE guppies, mollies, platties would work, any assortment of them.

Depending on which ones you pick will determine water characteristics, but if you'd like I can let you know about dwarf gouramis

ollyaaa

Thanks for your replies.

I haven't seen what puffers look like, and I don't know anything about them, but i will take a look now!


hmmmmm, i'm not so sure about 10 gallon, may be slightly smaller, I need to find out.

jsalemi - thanks for your suggestions, nice tanks too!

keep the advice coming!

Olly

ollyaaa

ok the tank is ABOUT 31 liters or 7 UK gallons (I think thats about 8.5 us gallons)


Olly

ollyaaa

Ok, I like the idea of puffers.

I would only bother with the dwarf ones though, and only 2 of them.

Im not sure if they are totally suitable yet, so my mind isnt set at all.

Could I house them with any catfish?

Also, I cant be dealing with the fish fighting, so these well may not be for me?

Regards

Olly

ollyaaa

Ive read a fair bit, thinking they might be a bit difficult to keep, shame.

Barbrella

Glad you're reading about this. Dwarf puffers must be kept alone as they are very aggressive and require quite a bit of attention.

I assume you don't want any livebearers dropping fry constantly, so In 10 gallons, you could have

- a school of 6 small tetras or rasboras and 3 cherry barbs. This would make for a very active, colourful, yet very peaceful community that is super easy to feed and care for.

- a female betta and 3 small corydoras.

- a school of White Cloud Mountain minnows/pencilfish/zebra danios.

To the above, you could add 3 or 4 oto cats, but only when the tank is fully cycled with excellent water parameters and algae for them. OR, 3 dwarf corydoras.

ollyaaa

Whats the best UK online distributor if anyone can help please

Rbacchiega

with enough hiding spots (ie each has it's own territory) I'v successfully kept two dwarf puffers in a 10 gallon for over 2 years. Making sure each gets food and providing plenty of cover I think is the success. Mind you, this could be just a lucky chance.

ollyaaa

What gender are they both?

Thanks

Barbrella

Anything is possible, even keeping two dwarf puffers together. But for someone who wants minimal maintenence and who won't be there to monitor them all the time, I think a more easy-care community is better.

Any petstore will have the species I've named, since they are staples in the tropical community choices.

ollyaaa

Yea, I agree.

There is the possibly of keeping some small chiclids in there, but again, might be a bit tough.

I tend to get carried away when it comes to setting up tanks, and this time, im really trying to stay modest!

But also interesting and realistic....

Barbrella

If you want cichlids, apistogrammas could live in a 10 gal, but need attention as to specific water qualities, mate selection, tanks for extras, yet more tanks for fry to grow out etc.

Some species, like A.Borellii, are hardier than others, but again, not exactly the kind of easy-care setup you're looking for.

ollyaaa

Sorry about yet another question but...

Im thinking it would look much nicer with an external filter + I need the room.

Any suggestions on the most suitable?

Im trying to find out this myself but there is a lot to take on board and research!

Barbrella

Everyone has a preference, but I've been using Auquaclear filters forever and have had no problems with them.

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....b24+1196641684

ollyaaa

Right, I think I might try getting a pair of Cockatoo Dwarf chiclids now.

I need to establish the best way of filtering, and if I can also house 1 or 2 algae eaters.

Any help please?

I have a much larger 50g tank if it all goes **** up.

ollyaaa

can someone please explain how a hook on filter works?

And is there anything else u need to buy to go with them?

Do u get a strong current?

Rbacchiega

and see, I wouldn't keep apistos in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long...

ollyaaa

and see what?

Ive read elsewhere its fine to keep them in a 10G, besides, I have a backup 50G tank that will house them easily.

I need urgent advice re:how this hook on filter works though, im totally clueless.

If anyone could spare a couple of mins I would be grateful, Ive done ltos of reading but still cant picture hwo it works.

Barbrella

IF you got a hang on the back Aquaclear type filter, there's only one way to hang it on the back. Only the intake tube should be in the water. Don't bother putting the charcoal insert in. You only need the filter sponge.

Plug it in and it will start sucking water in until it flows out back into the tank.
Do you have the instructions with it? Here's how it should look when it's set up.
http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2007/09/...r-filters.html

You said you're only home on weekends and wanted a small tank with easy care, peaceful fish which is why apistos aren't a good choice, especially in such a small tank. They aren't the easiest fish to maintain properly.

jsalemi

Simple -- hang-on-the-back (HOB) filters have an intake tube that sucks in water from the tank (usually in the bottom to mid-tank area), using a small pump called an impeller to provide the suction. The water flows into the filter body (which is the HOB part), and then through the filter media to an outlet that puts the water back into the tank at the top. Think of it as being like a stoppered sink -- if you keep the faucet running (the input) the sink will eventually fill and overflow the edge (the outlet). HOB filters work on the same principle, adding some type of filter media between the input and outlet.

The major difference between brands is usually in how the filter media is designed. Whisper filters have a replaceable cartridge that slides vertically into the filter and contains 3 types of filter media (sponge, floss and carbon). Marineland Penguin/Emperor filters have a cartridge like the Whispers, plus a bio-wheel at the water outlet that serves as a wet/dry home for the bacteria to provide constant bio-filtering. AquaClear filters have three (or more) media baskets with different components that stack vertically, and the filter box is designed so the water flows into the bottom of the filter box, up through the media, and then out the top.

That help?

AggieYen

Also just a note, so you don't make the same mistake that I did... if you have one of those tanks like the AquaOne tanks, with the hood and the light that's built into the tank, don't get a HOB, because you can't hang the HOB on the back, unless you cut into the hood. You'd have to use an internal filter if you have one of those.

Attached Images

aquaone_175.jpg (17.7 KB, 5 views)

ollyaaa

Yea that helps loads thank you.

Nice to know I don't need a power filter or anything else with it.

I think i ll buy that one i linked.





Yea, you have a point, BUT, im not going overboard here imo, im keeping it simple and also I have backup plans and have the ability to return the fish if need be,

I'm aware the welfare of the fish i the most important thing!

One of the whole points in me doing this is to replicate a certain habitat, so works fine.


I WELL may change my mind yet, but def want to at least set up a tank that would be suited to them before I add anything. May well end up with tetras or something.

ollyaaa

Good point,

I havent got the lighting yet, but its just a normal cheap tank with a flimsy plastic lid, so cutting into it wont be an issue.


Any other suggestions of inhabitants would be welcome.

AggieYen

I'm thinking... get a betta and a couple of otos... they're really fun to watch. They may require a bit of work and monitoring to acclimatise them initially, but once they're settled in past the first month, they should be alright. You'd probably need to get the betta in first, then once algae has built up in the tank, put the otos in. I have a 21 litre, and I'm getting a betta and 2 otos.

ollyaaa

Hi nice suggestion, but I'm not too keen on bettas because they look so man made.

(im aware the cichlids are bred for colour!)

im really just after a mini version of the amazon river or another habitat.

I want all the species etc to come from that area.

ollyaaa

Suggestions on substrate most welcome!

ollyaaa

Is keeping a single cichlid a bad idea?

jsalemi

My 56g is South/Central America themed (fish all, plants mostly) -- I went with a fine river rock that I got from DFS: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=12134 -- the deep river one, though the nutmeg one is good looking too. It's very small, so the corys like it. You can see how it looks in my pics in the Member's Tanks forum.

I've seen it in LFS too, though not PetSmart -- I believe Petco carries that brand, too. It's name begins with an 'E', but escapes me right now.