GentryRacing
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
It looks like I may be getting back into the hobby after 20+ years of not having a tank. I feel like I will have to re-learn everything.
I started off with the idea of getting a betta for my desk. I bought this really cool glass bowl mounted on a piece of driftwood like I had seen in Bali recently... and then when I started reading about bettas, I saw that most sites recommended against using bowls. I've now scrapped that idea, which kinda bums me out because the bowl looks really cool. When I realized a bowl was not going to be the right choice, I started thinking about a 3-5 gallon tank to put on my desk... Then I looked at a 10G, then a 15G... You know how it goes, right? (I do remember this progression from the first time I had tanks so many years ago! )
So, I've come to these 3 options, and I wonder if any of you have used them or like one of them in particular:
Fluval Specter V (5 gallons)
This would probably be great for a betta, plus a couple of shrimp or catfish to help keep it clean. A simple, affordable kit. $80
Marineland half moon 10G aquarium
This would probably also be good for a betta and maybe a small group of mid-water schooling fish. The rounded shape of the front does look very nice, and it's a little more vertical than horizontal in shape. $99
Aqueon 15G Column Deluxe Kit
This is a tank and stand combo that I saw at Petco. I like the size of it, and the vertical column shape is cool, but it is definitely going to be at the high end of my size range. It gives a few more options for those fish that like to hang out mid-level and school a bit. $150
One thing I need to consider is temperature. I'm notorious for not running my heat or air conditioning very much. In the winter the temperature in my place might be as low as 67, in the summer it might be as high as 82. (I'm simply more comfortable using fans or wearing layers than I am using dry electric heat that messes with my sinuses.) This is going to have an influence on my tank, and I'll likely need a decent heater. What fish would you recommend that are hardy enough to potentially stand a little bit of temperature fluctuation? It shouldn't be too dramatic if I'm using a heater, but you never know...
Hopefully, some of you can weigh in regarding the 3 tanks I'm considering, and maybe some fish choices for getting started.
I started off with the idea of getting a betta for my desk. I bought this really cool glass bowl mounted on a piece of driftwood like I had seen in Bali recently... and then when I started reading about bettas, I saw that most sites recommended against using bowls. I've now scrapped that idea, which kinda bums me out because the bowl looks really cool. When I realized a bowl was not going to be the right choice, I started thinking about a 3-5 gallon tank to put on my desk... Then I looked at a 10G, then a 15G... You know how it goes, right? (I do remember this progression from the first time I had tanks so many years ago! )
So, I've come to these 3 options, and I wonder if any of you have used them or like one of them in particular:
Fluval Specter V (5 gallons)
This would probably be great for a betta, plus a couple of shrimp or catfish to help keep it clean. A simple, affordable kit. $80
Marineland half moon 10G aquarium
This would probably also be good for a betta and maybe a small group of mid-water schooling fish. The rounded shape of the front does look very nice, and it's a little more vertical than horizontal in shape. $99
Aqueon 15G Column Deluxe Kit
This is a tank and stand combo that I saw at Petco. I like the size of it, and the vertical column shape is cool, but it is definitely going to be at the high end of my size range. It gives a few more options for those fish that like to hang out mid-level and school a bit. $150
One thing I need to consider is temperature. I'm notorious for not running my heat or air conditioning very much. In the winter the temperature in my place might be as low as 67, in the summer it might be as high as 82. (I'm simply more comfortable using fans or wearing layers than I am using dry electric heat that messes with my sinuses.) This is going to have an influence on my tank, and I'll likely need a decent heater. What fish would you recommend that are hardy enough to potentially stand a little bit of temperature fluctuation? It shouldn't be too dramatic if I'm using a heater, but you never know...
Hopefully, some of you can weigh in regarding the 3 tanks I'm considering, and maybe some fish choices for getting started.