Hello

I was surprised tonight when my sister and brother in law came home from a trip to buy their dogs some new chew bones.
They had a small 2 gallon hex aquarium for me. Here's a link to the type: http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/f...ktop/101050.asp
(I hope it works) Does anyone have a tank like this? Is it a decent tank?
They didn't know what type of fish I'd want, so they didn't buy a fish. I know it's far too small for a goldy, but I wondered what could go in it? I was hoping for some ideas and suggestions. And what else might I need for whatever fish I get?
I guess I must talk about fish a bit, so they thought of me when they saw these. Bless their hearts, they're so good to me.

Please help! I don't want to wait too long to get something, so they won't think that I don't appreciate their gift.
Thank you in advance!!

Debbie

I've never had one, but it seems to me that a betta would be a lot happier in a 2 gallon tank than those little cups in the LPS.

A betta, or perhaps a few tetras? The general rule for trops I believe is 1 gallon per fish inch... so four 1/2" tetras would be nice.

I'm glad they got it for you!! Let us know how you stock it-- and of course pictures Debbie.


edit for preposterous spelling errors

My sister kept 2 male guppies in one of those before. They would be the only tropical I'd put in there because they can do ok without a heater

Thank you for you advice!

I remember seeing some nice white tetras in stores that are pretty, but temperature would be an issue in time. My sis is comfortable in temps that are cold for me. Not wanting to use much oil for heating over the winter, they got use to the house temp being 60º (F) where I'd been used to 80º. Lately it's been in the 70's in the house, and I'm always grabbing a sweater!

Anyway... what temps do bettas and tropicals need?

Debbie

I'd go for a single betta. Just because I think they have so much personality.

What a sweet gift they gave you hun. I know you don't have much of your own money staying with them and they know you miss Dot, it's perfect Can't wait to see what you decide

I vote betta! Mine is in a 2.5g tank and he's so much fun. He greets me at the door when I come in and says bye when I leave. He also likes to watch tv with me.
Ok not really, he's probably just attracted to the flashing colors, but he does have quite a personality.

Yay Debbie!

Your first fish in CT!

BTW, did you bring this heat to CT from Florida?

I had that for my goldie when I didn't know, about the 10-gallon rule..... it was the worst experience I have had with goldies. But tropical fish would be bad too, because the poop will collect under the filter and ammonia will always be there... A betta would be fine though...

I suggest White Clouds, being coldwater and all, they dont need a heater, Also, they reproduce easily.

What?? Sebastian hun that makes no sense at all. Tropical tanks have a nitrogen cycle just like goldie tanks, and the filter will clear the detritus just as well if not better than a goldie tank. Regular water changes/gravel vacs just like w/goldies will take care of all that.

Trop fish create a LOT less waste than goldfish, so yeah. Much cleaner than a goldfish tank.

Well, let me clear it up: The poop collects under the plate for the under-gravel filter and causes BAD stuff to happen. When all the fish died they disassembled the tank and found this huge brown sludge was in there, just making water parameters to go crazy. Even in tropical fish. I think I read that on Goldfish Paradise... But a small Tetra Whisper 3i Filter should help for a betta...

Well then that is a problem inherent in UG filters, not in trop tanks. You can use HOBs or canisters/internals in trop tanks. I don't ever recommend UG filters... yuck.

I agree, go for a Betta!

Thank you everyone!!!

I decided that I'll get a betta! The tank come with a UG filter - that I didn't really want to use - but from what I've been reading, it isn't recommended to use a filter in a tank so small. I've read it's best to do weekly 100% water changes instead. This would be much easier, and would be less items I'd have to purchase and find a place to store. (buckets, siphons, etc.)
Does that seem right to all of you? From past experience (that most of us have had with fish) I'd rather learn all that I can before I get my new fish.

Does anyone have any other advice, tips or comments on the proper care of bettas?


JoH, I don't know if I brought the heat, but I'm glad it followed me! 20 years in Florida must have really thinned my blood... I hope it thickens up before it gets cold again!

Thanks again everyone!!

Debbie

Hi Deb !!!! it's good to see you!!!! ..well not see you , . but to hear from you!!.I vote betta too!!!!!! they are fun to watch ..and thet LOVE bubbles..mine did anyways

Do you want a male or a female?

Bettas love anything from flakes to bloodworm to peas.

Also a tip never place the tank by a mirror(this will stress them out)

Hello!

It's nice to be here, Heidi - asking for fish advice again!
I want a male. They're a bit fancier. I have read that it's okay to put mirrors by them once in a while to give them exercise. Not left too long, just for a while. Is this true? Has anyone here done that?

Debbie

he should get enough exercise swiming around..if he gets too big then cut down on feeding. I feed mine 4 pellets twice a day

I use a butter knife to get him to flare and he is rewared with food after fighting off the evil butter knife

You're funny!!!

my mom thinks i am being mean...i just don't want to have a sissy betta

My female (which i got from a friend) is very agressive and doesn't like any other fish around her..

Hi Debs!

As I've already said earlier, I vote for a betta also, but be sure to get a male. The females are nice, but not nearly as beautiful as the male bettas. Be sure to get a look at Daniels' betta in his thread. He is stunning! I have a pink betta in my tropical tank, and he does just fine.

Before I moved my betta into his own filtered 5 gallon tank he resided in a 2.5 and I did the weekly 100% water change thing. It went pretty well, and was fairly easy for me. When you get the tank setup and have picked out your fish you gotta post pics for all of us to swoon over.

I have always liked the male bettas but I have seen some pretty stunning females, too. Just take a peep and see who 'speaks' to you, and that will be the one you need to take home.

This is going to be so much fun Debs. A fish again! And something a bit different from before too. No more huge long painful cycling!! I look forward to seeing who you pick out and hearing ALL about his/her settling in

I would vote for a Betta too and please make sure dont over feed them. I lost several of them from bloated stomach disease because I overfed them. Maybe just feed one pellet a day.

For a 2.5g tank, it's better to do 100% w/c twice a week and the water has to be de-chol using Prime.

Yay I agree with getting a betta! I have two bettas and they each have their own 2.5 gallon and they seem to love it. It's funny to watch the way they eat. They always look like they are attacking their food. Like "oh look at me I got it!". They'll kind of sneak up on it like it's going to go somewhere lol. If you are looking for a filter, I use these little Tetra Whisper filters that are made for 1-3 gallon tanks. I don't know if anyone else has had any experience with them, but I like them. I think they are like $4-$5 and they come with their own pump. I actually used the pump that came with it for an air stone and bought a different pump that I liked better to power the filter though. I actually even saw this tiny heater and I bought it but I've never used it. I've noticed they survive fine in the lower temps but they just seem happier in the warmer water. When it gets colder again I am going to test it out in an empty tank to see how it works. Supposedly it will maintain a temp of 78 degrees. It's the first small heater I've seen that has some sort of temperature control. We'll see though. I am very unsure about using it in a small tank. I will do lots of testing before I put it in with my guys. And let you know how it works out. AHHH I wish I was like you and needed a sweater in 70 degree weather. I am always hot! I went to a concert a few weeks ago and everyone was in line to meet the guy (it was Josh Gracin from American Idol..anyone remember him?) and everyone was FREEZING and complaining and bundled up and I was in shorts walking around thinking "what a nice day!". Right now my thermostat is set to 70 and I am burning up. lol

Thank you everyone, for all of your help!!

I am training this week for a new job (nothing exciting, really, but it is to me ) and once I get settled, I will go fish hunting!!
I will post pictures when I do, and I hope everyone will be as happy with my purchase as I will be!

My sister went outside today, and said it was "Heaven" outside. She found out it was 48º (F) and said "Oh - it's definitely Heaven!" I told her that I never realized that it was so cold in Heaven.


Debbie

....that is nice !!!!....and congrats on the job and good luck

All my bettas are in 2.5 gallon tanks, a couple of Eclipse Explorers and a few plain tanks. In the plain tanks I have one with a HOB filter designed for small tanks and on a couple of others I have the Whisper 3i filters. They work great, the tanks are cycled and I change about 50% of the water once a week.