josephdurnal

I'm thinking about adding a small aquarium to my office. I would like to go with something planted, and have several small and active fish, probably neons. I also figure that a small tank would be best probably 10 gallons, so that 25 & 50 percent water changes don't require a lot of trips or equipment. A 10 gallon also keeps the cost down; I can probably get one with hood and light for free without much effort. I'd also trust my desk to hold its weight (I stood on my desk the other day, so, the desk would probably do fine up to 20 gallons!). While I can put all the effort I want to for my aquarium at home, at the office, I need to keep the effort to a minimum.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an office aquarium at minimal cost with minimal effort?

Thanks,
Joe

KyWildFish

I would get light waste producing fish. Something hardy and active are tetras. A small school of bloodfins or something like them might work. The planted tank will require a little more work unless you get something like a java fern.

agabr123

although a 10 gallon is small, you have plenty of options, especially if you're looking for small schooling fish

i've been working on this stocking guide for a while, so hopefully it will help you there's a long list of small schoolers in post #3, and the 10 gal suggestions are the end of post #2
Work In Progress: Freshwater Community Stocking List

josephdurnal

That is a great article. Of course, there are 1000's of combonations of fish, that is the best part, and the biggest problem, because folks don't know where to start, but your advice changes that!

I'll probably go with neons, and again, I hope to use live plants, but I'll probably stick with something easy like the java fern.

josephdurnal

Having an aquarium in the office presents some special problems that I've thought of.

• Turning the light on and off: timer
• Vacations: Train someone else to feed the fish
• Weekends: ideas? I'm sure they can go a weekend w/o food, but is it OK?
• Long Weekends: Hmm, 3 day feeder?

Any other gotchas?

Thanks

SammyJ

A nice 10 gallon office setup, and one that would get folks talking to boot.

Sand substrate (for easy maintenance)
Ferns and Jave moss or a moss ball
Drop a small canister filter on it (silent and low maintenance).

I would say stock it with Blind Tetras, and a Freshwater clam. Two things one does not often see would make for a great conversation piece.

Drew 43920

How about a betta fish, Sand, Malaysian Trumpet snails, Red Ramshorn snails, Anubis plant , Java Moss, Glass Shrimp

fishie freddie

i think you answred your own question there :P

Also is there a store near your office so that you can slip out in your break if there is an emergency

Lucy

I've heard mixed things about weekend feeders. They'll be fine on weekends with out food. Just feed them before you leave the office and again when you return. Same with long weekends. They can go a couple days with out eating.

agabr123

thanks

the java ferns are great, anubias, anacharis, and java moss are easy to keep as well