New tank for dorm

[shamilton1021]

Hey I am looking to invest in a tank for my dorm room I figure that no more than around 5 gallons would be what I am looking at as far as size. I was wanting some advice on set up such as what to really do before I put fish in, what fish are best, what to do to maintain the tank properly. I plan on investing in a BIG tank when I get into my apartment off campus in january. I had an idea of some fish I would like. Please give your feed back and maybe what fish would be best.

Fish I think are cool:
Black fin sharks

pictus catfish

plecostomus

african cichlids

Hi-fin black tetras

algae eater

tiger barbs

beta fish


Like I said I am open to suggestions from those who have a lot of experience in this area. I am willing to maintain how ever I need to.

Thanks for your time.

 

[New]

the only thing on that list would be a betta...and for algae eater if u mean snails i hav a 5gal w/ a betta and 2 snails in it, its great

 

[agwats]

Most of the fish listed are way to big for a 5 gal. Actually there isn't much you can do with a 5 other than a betta. I would suggest a 10 gal as an alternative. Its still small but there are lots more fish suitable for a 10 than a 5

 

[shamilton1021]

I mean an algea eater like the fish lol....... and I was wanting something more than just one fish swimming around lol........ 10 gal is a lil to big for my dorm room as far as space goes so I am going with a 5 gal till I get out of the dorm room

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Use the 5 gallon. Buy a betta, live plants, snails, and shrimp. That would look cool.

 

[agwats]

There are several different fish called "algae eaters" and I don't know of any that are suitable for a 5 gal. Most small fish are schoolers which should be kept in groups of 6 or more and thus wont fit in a 5. Idk maybe someone will have better advice but all I can think of for a 5 would be a betta

 

[shamilton1021]

I forgot to mention my only resource is walmart for now. so shrimp and stuff like that is a little out of the way for me

 

[agwats]

Use the 5 gallon. Buy a betta, live plants, snails, and shrimp. That would look cool.

I agree. Think this is your best option for a 5

 

[shamilton1021]

If I was just going to get a beta I will just go with the 3.5 gal round tank instead of the 5 gal. I really want a cool tank

 

[agwats]

I forgot to mention my only resource is walmart for now. so shrimp and stuff like that is a little out of the way for me

Ouch. Personally I wouldn't buy any fish from walmart. You could get lucky and get a healthy betta. And that pretty much kills the idea of shrimp and live plants

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

You don't even have a petco or Petsmart. They are much better than walmart even if it's a little far away go there.

 

[New]

If I was just going to get a beta I will just go with the 3.5 gal round tank instead of the 5 gal. I really want a cool tank

bettas need 5gal minimum, and if 5 is the biggest you can get, a betta is pretty much the only "fish" that will fit in there

 

[maxwellag]

bettas need 5gal minimum, and if 5 is the biggest you can get, a betta is pretty much the only "fish" that will fit in there

Actually some small killies and some nano fish can

 

[New]

idk if walmart would have any of those though

 

[BakerBoy17]

You could always order fish from online

 

[shamilton1021]

You could always order fish from online

how much is it to buy them offline

 

[absolutangel04]

I agree that you can buy fish online. How much depends on who you buy from.
There are not many fish that will fit in a 5 gallon. Bettas are actually quite active when they have space to swim in instead of being in one of those ridiculous little cups. Another option would be a dwarf puffer. Or a shrimp tank. Or ember tetras, or sparkling gourami. I don't think WalMartn carries any of those species however. If you have to go with WalMart, a betta is probably your only option.
And I agree that none of the other fish on your list would fit into a 5 gallon.
Also, make sure to chekc with your RA that tanks are allowed. Some places do not allow them at all.

 

[shamilton1021]

what fish would be good for this tank then besides a beta...... how should I decorate it ....... does anyone know a website to buy fish from thats good

 

[absolutangel04]

what fish would be good for this tank then besides a beta...... how should I decorate it ....... does anyone know a website to buy fish from thats good

Well, you can buy fish on this website sometimes. Also, people say aquabid.com is good.
If you don't want a betta, you can get 6 ember tetras plus a nerite snail and some colored shrimp. There are also chili rasbora.