I just bought an Eclipse 5 gallon hex to use as a tropical tank and was wondering how many and/or what type of fish I can keep in it. The tank will be moderately planted. I know about the guidelines for goldfish,but it has been so long since I've had tropicals, that I can't remember the requirements of a tropical tank. I was thinking of having guppies possibly.

To be honest the only fish you could keep in that size of tank happily would be a male betta. Though small, fish like guppies need room to swim in and arent happy if kept in small aquariums.
If you want one fish then a dwarf male gourami would do ok.


Maybe some one else has other options for you.

How about a pair of african dwarf frogs? Sandy's right, most of the small fish that would fit in there are very active and need buddies to school with, hence, they need a bigger tank.

I was also considering a betta. Are there any special requirements for keeping a betta? I've never had one before.

Bettas will need a stable temp around 77-81*F (a 25W heater should be adequate) , a very gentle filter (preferably with an adjustable flow rate) and specialized betta food. Its a good idea to cycle fishlessly before buying your betta and stay away from sharp or poky objects in the tank.

Thanks for the help. The Eclipse system I bought does not have and adjustable flow rate. I don't know if the filter outlet can be rotated like the eclipse 15 I used to have. I've read a few reviews on other web sites that most people use this system for a betta and their betta's seem to love it. I am planning on cycling before I put any fish in it, but I was thinking of putting some plant bulbs in before it cycled. Would that be a good or bad idea? I also intend to get a heater when I go to wally world tonight.

If you can not adjust the flow rate, you can always put a solid ornament in front to disperse the flow if it is too much for your betta. Bulbs and plants are fine to have while cycling

That's good about the bulbs. I have 3 aponogeton, 2 lilly (dwarf?) and 1 onion plant bulb in my oranda tank that will do better as soon as I can get them away from those little plant shredders

I've had the new tank running for about a week. The apon and dwarf lilly bulbs have been moved from my oranda's tank and have really taken off. One of the bulb's leaves have already grown about 5 inches in height. Before, it had just a couple of short, deformed looking leaves. I don't know if it's the warmer temp, brighter light, fertilizer (goldie tank was fertilized), or no orandas to nibble at the leaves. Or maybe all of the above. I'ts nice though to see them growing.

Your tank sounds great! Any chance of pics?

Here's a picture of my new tropical tank. The plants may seem a bit disorganized, but they are the drop in bulbs that are growing where they have dropped. 5 of the bulbs are aponogetons, possibly two different varieties. 2 of the bulbs are dwarf lillies. The tank has been running for about 2 weeks.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/br5...ewplanttank.jpg