Need some advice

[mat]

Hello all

I got out of the fishkeeping hobby a while ago due to the high cost of maintaining my four tanks (it was also very time consuming). Well, after seeing a friend's beautiful 30g Hex tank, I decided I want to get back into the fishkeeping business, though I don't have the time/space for a large tank.

What I would like is a small tank that could sit on a bedside table in my room. I'm talking maybe 3-6 gallons, just enough for a few fish. I like the look of the Marineland Eclipse System 6, it comes with a florescent light and a decent filter, and they're not too expensive (money isn't really a huge issue for me). You guys have any opinions on these tanks?

The main question I had though is what kind of fish I should be looking at getting. Most likely I won't be getting a heater (though I might get one of those 25W submersibles if I really have to) so I would like to know what kind of fish can live in room temperature water (my room stays around 18-20C). I definately don't want goldfish, so could I put something like Danios or Neon Tetra's in there? Or would it be too cold for them? Any suggestions for some colourful/interesting tropical fish that can live comfortably in a 6 gallon tank?

 

[TomK2]

Well, thats a tough one. The smaller you go, sometimes the more difficult it is to stock and maintain. A betta would love a set up like that. You could also go with a standard 10 gal tank, an aquaclear mini filter, a small heater, a standard 15W light hood for a 10 gal, and a few neons, even a few low light plants. I have such a set-up right now, it is pretty low maintenance.

 

[mat]

Well the problem is that I don't have the room for a 10 gallon. I realize that the smaller the tank, the harder it can be to maintain, but I just don't have the room, sadly, for a larger tank.

 

[fishygurl]

Depending on the lighting in the eclipse hood, you could plant the 6 gallon with some really easy plants. That would be really cool for a betta, or a few guppies. (same sex though to prevent having waay to many lol) Other options for a 6 gallon could be mabye a school of 3 white cloud minnows, or mabye 3 harliquen rasboras, although im not sure about those, some one else could confirm.

 

[Japola44]

you could also consider a paradise fish. They are similar to gouramis and betas, and get about as big as a betta. If you can find them they are far more colorful than a typical betta. You would have to keep them alone like bettas, but you could get an african dwarf frog to keep in the tank with it.

 

[An t-iasg]

A betta would definitely need a heater. Paradise fish and white cloud minnows would be comfortable with your room temperature.

 

[fishygurl]

I meant to say that about the heater, but i completly forgot. LOL