Will it work?

[squealor]

I have a 5 gallon Hex that I was thinking of bringing in to my work to put on my desk (so I can enjoy my fish at work, too!!)... I need something that wouldn't require care over weekends and was thinking of bringing in some of my baby/young guppies. If they start multiplying, I can bring some home for my bigger tanks so as to not overcrowd. Do you think this will work, or should I think of something else for the 5g?

 

[spyyro]

There is a lady at work that has a 5 gal tank on her workbench and she has just a single Betta inside. She has the whole setup on an electrical timer and she's there everyday, except weekends, to take care of it. I don't see why it wouldn't work for you... even with the guppies. (That is as long as it's ok with who you work for)

 

[Sidi]

Most fish do fine periodically missing a few days of food, although I'm not sure how much stress it would cause on a weekly basis. You could always set up one of the timed vacation feeders to cover the weekend if you were worried about it.

The timer for the lights...well, personally I feel like that's a necessity for any tank I set up, especially planted.

You could go for something unusual and just get a couple of cherry/fire shrimp for it. I've always loved to watch crustaceans move. I think it's under the recommended size for a figure 8 puffer in brackish water, unfortunately...but someone with more experience might be able to chime in about that.

 

[squealor]

Could I do a betta with a few shrimp?