TheEssigs

I have a 6 gallon eclipse tank that I keep on my kitchen counter.
I was using the tank for fry. However, the fry are ready to be released into the main tank, and now I am looking to re-do this little tank. I am going to leave the substrate in the tank, (mainly, so I dont have to re-cycle) its a natural, cream, tan and brown small size gravel, but I want to remove everything else and start over...

So, I thought that I could come in and get a few ideas from you guys. There are two issues... how to decorate it, and then what to put in it. What would you do?

bhcaaron

Freshie or Saltie?

TheEssigs

Fresh.

bhcaaron

Are you wanting planted or fish only? Thinking of theme or just select pieces? What about plants only and keeping it as a refugium for when fishies need alone time?

TheEssigs

Well, I have 8 tanks, soon to be 9. We already have a hospital/QT tank so I would rather not have another possibly empty tank and this tank sits on my counter in the kitchen so its in full view from both the kitchen table and the family room. The counter also is a breakfast bar, so there are two chairs that are very close by. I wanted something different, that will be worth looking at in full view. All of my tanks are "natural" in design... ya know - river rocks, plants, drift wood... blah, blah... so I kinda wanted to pick a theme that would match the inhabitants... kinda thing... ya know?

bhcaaron

Well, instead of going with a fictional theme, such as sunken ship etc., why not a regional theme? Pick a fish that you like, read up where they are found in the wild. Preferably pick one that is found in a few places in the world. Then look at pics of their habitat and try to recreate it using same or similar looking plants and debris. Maybe even splurge and import items from the area if you cannot find the same kind of items near by. (In case I'm confusing you, here is an example. If there are three kinds of plants that are found on the river or lake where they are from, get those three. Find out what kind of trees are found in the area and get driftwood of that same kind of tree etc etc etc)

TheEssigs

All my tanks are currently "natural" settings of just different plants, roots, woods, rocks and the like, but none have any ships or buildings or any type of fictional decor... This tank is small, so I really cant go overboard either... maybe a dwarf or pygmy somthing.

bhcaaron

Well, I don't know anything about freshies, so I guess this is my chance to learn. I'm lookin! I'm looking! lol What kinds of fish doy ou have thus far?

Sorry for my spelling. Alcohol is such a prohibitor (in spelling that is lol)

COBettaCouple

you could put a couple of dwarf puffers in there with some natural decor. Those little puffers are cool and full of personality.

bhcaaron

Is 6gallons big enough for them though?

COBettaCouple

yea, i think so. Dwarf puffers need 3g each. i love how the little guys swim right over to us when we are at petsmart and i've heard from dwarf puffer owners about how much personality they have.. and they LOVE snails!

bhcaaron

I'm hoping you mean they snuggle up against them

COBettaCouple

well, they'll snuggle up to the shell and suck them out..

bhcaaron

At this point I'll keep my mouth shut... wait... umm... nevermind! lol ahahahahahaha

TheEssigs

Puffers... That sounds like a cool idea.

Ive read that they are very active fish, so thats a plus!! I wanted something that would be very different and very active because of the placement of the tank.

They are a species specific tank fish, that require live or frozen foods (especially snails - do they sell feeder snails?)... various articles also say they need plenty of caves/hiding places as well as lots of plants. I hope a 6g would be adequate.

Anyone have em? What do you think?

Bonochick

Poor snails...

COBettaCouple

have you read over the old posts in the puffers forum?

TheEssigs

Yea, I did this morning! Thanks CO!

COBettaCouple

cool.. they're what got me interested in the little guys.

TheEssigs

Im going to see which LFS has them... If not Ill ask the one near by to order me a pair. Now... I have to figure out how I am going to re-decorate... as I said Imn ot a big fan of fictional decor, so it will be some sort of natural design, just dont know how or what yet. When I am all done Ill post a pic. Thanks for all your input guys!

COBettaCouple

Petsmart might be good to check, i usually find them there along with natural looking decor that would be good for a puffer tank.

TheEssigs

Well, so far... I revamped the tank this morning, so now I have to locate my new inhabitants... I added some new stones, and took out some old decor and added a new plant... so, hopefully Ill be up and running with our new additions by tomorrow evening.

COBettaCouple

looking forward to new pics.

TheEssigs

me too!

Kevin

my petsmart always was puffers...if youre looking for a live plant, try the green modo grass...it looks pretty cool

TheEssigs

The tank is ready to go, all I need now is the fish... the hunt is on... Im going to go to Petsmart and Petco tomorrow, as they are right across the street form each other!

If they dont have them there, Ill just order them from the LFS.

TheEssigs

The only bad part about going to my Petco/Petsmart... is that my MTS always gets the better of me when I get there. They always have really nice deals on tank packages! But hey... there is always room for one more!

Kevin

yeah...if you have the money...there's gonna be a new petco opening not far from my house, i'm trying to get a job there cause they pay $11 bucks an hour (for starters)...and im only 17, so thats about as much as i'm gonna get paid at the best places in town

TheEssigs

we are looking to upgrade our 20 to a 50... we are going to do that within the next two weeks... so that would make our MTS-8 a 9

Kevin

two weeks,thats way too long...why make two trips when it only takes one?