2.5 gallon powerless desktop

[jibboo]

good point on the company policy thing ... a small air pump is hardly an appliance (in my mind)

it might be wise to run your fish tank idea past your boss/manager/supervisor just to be safe either way. then he might give you the ok to run a small filter or air pump, or he might tell you no livestock/fish regardless

many people keep bettas in small bowls without lighting, heating or filtration ... so a betta might be hardy enough to do what you want

personally, I'd spend $2 at walmat for a small thermometer ... so you can get an idea of water temp and if it changes

i keep a betta in a 1 gallon tank on my desk at home ... no light, no heater, only an air pump that goes into this tube (works kinda like a ugf) he's been fine for months ... my room temps fluctuate based on season by he was fine at around 67-68 degrees (according to the thermometer)

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by JRagg

I'd honestly doublecheck your company policy.

I asked the safety person if I could have an aquarium at my desk, and the response was that I couldn't have any electric appliances. She did not specifically say I couldn't have an aquarium. (Perhaps I should try gas-powered? )

I havn't seen any supplimental desk lamps here. We do use special equiptment in the labs, but it goes through a whole set of paperwork first.

[jibboo]

oh btw ... in only do pwc's in my 1g every other week or so

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by jibboo

it might be wise to run your fish tank idea past your boss/manager/supervisor just to be safe either way.

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Stuart's Law of Retroaction

[src]

About temperature, you might want to consider what happens after hours. Most offices (at least those that don't run 24/7) will cut back drastically on heating/cooling after normal hours. Here at work, by 7:00 PM we can get more than 5 degrees of rise/drop depending on the season. I'm sure the total swing is higher.

Just something to check.

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by src

About temperature, you might want to consider what happens after hours. Most offices (at least those that don't run 24/7) will cut back drastically on heating/cooling after normal hours. Here at work, by 7:00 PM we can get more than 5 degrees of rise/drop depending on the season. I'm sure the total swing is higher.

Just something to check.

Good point. Perhaps I should pick up a min-max thermometer. I didn't notice anything when I was here on Christmas Eve, but I'm known for not being senstive to cold.

FYI, I found two websites (http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/clams.html & http://news.fws.gov/mussels.html) that support the idea that the clam provides it's own current for filter feeding.

I'm kind of stuck on the clam, as I've been interested in trying one for some months now, and this would be a good excuse to pick one up.

[jibboo]

let us know what you decide and how it works out

[dskidmore]

I think I'll go for it. I've decided on a 2.5 gallon aquarium, which I believe is the smallest glass aquarium my local store carries. (May have to upgrade to 5 gallon if that's all I can find.)

Anyone want to help me pick out plants?

Definite includes:
Java Fern
Java Moss
Crypt Wendetti

Choices:
Include some emergent plants to make better use of that distant light? Downside of emergents is that they will not contribute as much to the oxygen supply.

Include Crystal Vals?
I have a ton of these in my 75 gallon, and they could serve similarly to the way the jungle val does in the 75. They may be too big though.

Low light ground cover?
I really have no idea what to pick here that would accept low light, be to scale, and be available.

Hardscape plan:
driftwood and either local round stone or broken slate pieces
beige sand from my already cycled 75 gallon aquarium

Stocking plan:
1 freshwater clam
2-3 shrimp
Malaysian trumpet
ramshorn? snails
blackworms

Timeline:
Purchase tank, fill with water and substrate.
Begin fishless cycle.
Order plants and clam.
Transplant java fern, crypts and vals.
Begin hardscape, plant java moss
Install clam, wait for him to burry himself.
Plant ground cover and remaining plants.
Purchase shrimp locally and add.

I may have frequent re-plantings in the beginning if the clam decides to move around. I hope we reach an agreement soon after his move though.

It is noted that the stability of the tank will be directly tied to the health of the clam. The tank is not large enough to absorb the bioload of a dying clam no matter how many plants I stick in it. The expected lifespan of a clam is 1.5-2 years.

[czcz]

Since it appears you want a long term sustainable tank, I think you should avoid Java fern, C. wendtii, and the Vals. Better would be C. pygmaea, parva (could be carpets), willisii, or any small crypt, Anubias barteri var nana "petite" (could be a carpet), and the bigger Dwarf hairgrass (see Purrbox's tanks).

Other cool plants for your consideration that aren't terribly rare are M. umbrosum, Hydrocotyle sp, the more exotic mosses (could be carpet tied to rocks), Blyxa japonica (can get large), and Elatine triandra (carpet).

Emergent and/or floating plants would be good. While they don't add O2 they'll take up plenty of nutrients since they can draw CO2 from the atmosphere.

I think your stocking plan is great. FWIW, my 2.5gal invert tank (shrimp, snails, had some carnivorous plants) is easy. Only powered component is light. I think you can do anything you want with your stocking.

*edited for typo and grammar

[dskidmore]

Thanks czcz!

I'll definately look into that list more tomorrow. Looking around at my usual sources isn't being very fruitful, so I'm poking around for availability of those species.