2.5 Gallon Tank Ideas?

[WBAC88]

So, I have a 65 gallon tank cycling at the moment (almost done!). While I was getting things together, I found an awesome little 2.5 gallon tank from the '60's or '70's with chrome on each corner and a slate bottom. At the moment, I'm using it to keep excess Java ferns and a few snails that snuck in with them.

What I would like to do eventually is set up a little desktop scape in it. I haven't been able to find much information on tanks this small so I wanted to ask around here for advice. I would probably want more of a planted tank, but with a creatures (shrimp, I guess?) in the mix as well. I'm up for trying about anything, so any ideas, links, etc. would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Andy

 

[Fishkeeper26]

I'm doing the same thing with a 2.5 I bought last year. I made my own filter for it that is completely under the gravel except for the intake. The water pump that powers it heats the tank in the mid- 70s.

I plan on have some snails (most likely pond because they snuck in on plants like yours). And shrimp either RCS or Amano, I haven't read a lot about Amano which is why I'm still undecided.

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

You can have a little colony of cherry shrimp. Or have a little school of neon tetras.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Would neons work in a 2.5? Because I have a small school of three in my 20 long, mayb I'll transfer them if it's not too small

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

I think 5 would be the most you could put in there lol

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Haha it would still work, I guess the bio- load wouldn't be an issue

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

No not really.

You could also put a couple of Endlers in there.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

True, but IME theyre hard to find at lfs

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

Ya, I've actually never heard of them up until a couple of days ago, and I heard of them on here.

 

[WBAC88]

Wow, thanks so much for the replies! What kind of equipment would I need to keep something like this going? Are there any decent filters, etc. for small tanks like this? From what I've read, 2.5 gallons is small for most kinds of fish. Would something like 3-5 tetras be too much? Or would adequate filtration take care of that? Thanks again!

 

[Fishkeeper26]

The neons bio-load is very small, so in that aspect theyd be ok. As far as size idk, maybe three would be okay. I have a single compact fluorescent bulb on a regular desk lamp (I think its a 16 watt made by marineland). I made my own filter using tubing, water pump, and parts from an old filter. There are nano hang on filters, but I have a glass top so I don't use them. But I'm sure you could find one

 

[JennaSimpson]

What about a betta they naturally live in warm shallow water pond so I think it would be ok for one . Also they are beautiful and interesting to watch . I have a blue and red crown tail that seems to have taken an interest in me . I love him!

 

[adadkins1]

Don't put tetras of any type in a 2.5 gallon tank. It is essentially torture, even if the fish seem happy, they may not be. A Red Sea Deco Art filter can be found on amazon.com for 15 or so bucks with shipping included. I have two and they do a great job for tanks under 3 gallons. If I were you I would stick with the shrimp. In a 2.5 you could have 10 or so comfortably. I don't think any fish should be in there, even a betta is pushing it.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

I think that fish place has the filter for even cheaper

 

[jetajockey]

I'd make it a dwarf shrimp tank, most fish are a bit too large for that tank. There are a few nano species that would work though.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Endlers?? Would one or two guppies?

 

[WBAC88]

Does anyone have any good resources on keeping aquarium shrimp that they'd recommend? This is something that's totally new to me, but I like the sound of it. I found a good filter for it a couple minutes ago, thanks for the advice.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Red cherry shrimp

 

[jetajockey]

Red Cherry Shrimp .:. Neocaridina heteropoda sp. "Red Cherry" .:. Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Species Information Page

 

[Fishkeeper26]

Would Amano shrimp work?