Best desktop tank ideas

I finally got approval to have a fishtail in my cubicle at work with a few caveats.

1. It can't plug in, so that means no filter or lights. I have florescent lighting for my desk that I can use.

2. Has to be small and closed

I was thinking of doing some kind of plant filtration system with a few small fish. Something to look at while working that will put me at ease.

Has anyone had experience with something like this? I've looked but haven't really found any aestically pleasing aquaponic systems. Is the florescent lighting good enough for plannts? Any tips, suggestions, ideas, or pictures would help tremendously. Thank you

 

So I think you can go with out filter if you are very very heavily planted and do super frequent water changes. It would be a lot of work. How big are you thinking?

 

Number one is the whole reason I don't have a tank at work. You could do pest snails, they seem to do well in just about any conditions, and actually are rather interesting to watch.

 

I personally wouldn't do fish without a filter. From what I have read a filterless tank with fish is a lot more complicated then just having a heavily planted tank.


Will someone be able to take care of the fish when you are not at work?

 

I was looking into one of those cubes that are being sold that have plants in the top with the roots in the water to filter and 1 or 2 guppys. So basically the plants would be the filter. I work 9 hours 5 days a week so the weekend they would fast. The more I think about it maybe it's not the best idea..

 

I don't think a single plant like that would be enough to keep the trank clean without daily water changes, how many gallons if the tank you are talking about?

 

I think I know what your talking about, and as I recall those cubes are pretty small and aren't really self-filtering system that they advertise they are.

 

I would have to agree with everyone. No fish can live without some sort of filtration system. I have seen people do it with betas and that's not good for then either.

 

The tank would be a gallon or less with 3 plants on top with the roots growing into the water. Fish fertilize the plants, plants filter the tank.

I don't think it will work honestly and will most likely just keep pushing them to allow me to have a running filter haha.

 

Yup exactly what I thought you were talking about, yeah those are not going to work at all. No fish should go in a less then a gallon, and the plants won't actually filter the tank. They like to advertise those where I live as being completely hands free (no filter, no water changes) just feed the fish.

 

The tank would be a gallon or less with 3 plants on top with the roots growing into the water. Fish fertilize the plants, plants filter the tank.

I don't think it will work honestly and will most likely just keep pushing them to allow me to have a running filter haha.

Yeah I'm afraid those wouldn't work, especially for a guppy. Guppies need at least 5 gallons if I remember correctly.

 

What about doing a shrimp tank? Some shrimp and plants in a small unfiltered tank might be more manageable than fish?

 

What about doing a shrimp tank? Some shrimp and plants in a small unfiltered tank might be more manageable than fish?

That's an interesting idea! Maybe some crystal red shrimp. Would they be able to handle a non filtered tank?

 

I'm actually not sure! I'm a newbie, have only had my first shrimp tank since March. Mine does have a simple sponge filter, and a small heater though. Maybe post over on the invert topic page, they may be able to help?

 

I've had ghost shrimp in an unfiltered tank with a few strands of elodea. They did well and even bred in there.

 

Look into the Fluval V. Ignore the 3 gallon one.. It is a 5.6 gallon tank with a good built in filtration system. You should be able to do snails, shrimp, or a beta. You might get away with some small fish like a few tetras but that could be pushing it. Check it out!