Thinking about buying another tank.

1003 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Byron, May 11, 2013

llonka

Discussion Starter · May 10, 2013

Hi! I haven't been on here for awhile, but still love fish! We currently just have a 30 gallon tank stocked with Angel fish, Neon Tetras, various danios, and an algae eater (I think he's a pleco).

I am thinking about getting a five gallon tank for my boys' room. Of course it is probably more for me than it is for them, but was wondering what I could stock it with. I would hate to buy a five gallon and only put a betta in it. Not that is anything wrong with bettas, I'd just like some active swimmers. Youngest boy wants some Glofish, would they be okay in a five gallon? Also wondered about putting some harlequin rasboras in a five gallon.
Thanks!

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erinbirdsong

· #2 · May 10, 2013

llonka said:
Hi! I haven't been on here for awhile, but still love fish! We currently just have a 30 gallon tank stocked with Angel fish, Neon Tetras, various danios, and an algae eater (I think he's a pleco).

I am thinking about getting a five gallon tank for my boys' room. Of course it is probably more for me than it is for them, but was wondering what I could stock it with. I would hate to buy a five gallon and only put a betta in it. Not that is anything wrong with bettas, I'd just like some active swimmers. Youngest boy wants some Glofish, would they be okay in a five gallon? Also wondered about putting some harlequin rasboras in a five gallon.
Thanks!

I would not suggest Glofish in a 5 Gal. They are a Schooling / Shoaling fish and you need 5 fish Minimum. You could maybe get away with 5 in a 10Gal with frequesnt water changes but do not go smaller and what ever you do do not get the Glo Barbs...

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jentralala

· #3 · May 10, 2013

I can't really think of any fish besides a betta that would be easily managed in a 5 gallon. There are 'microfish', but they are generally a more expensive fish with incredibly specific needs. You could always do shrimp?

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thekoimaiden

· #4 · May 10, 2013

I agree. A 5 gal isn't a good tank for glofish or harlequin rasbora. Both are active shoaling fish and would be bouncing off the walls. A betta is the only fish I'd recommended in a tank that size unless you are experienced with small tanks and small fish. Shrimp are an option, tho

And of course there is always the option of getting a larger tank.

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llonka

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 11, 2013

Thanks for the replies! We had a ten gallon tank, it got tipped over because the stand was crap. So I have a hood and filter for a ten gallon. I may have to just try and see if I can find a ten gallon again. I had guppies in the ten gallon I had, any recommendations for fish that do well in a ten gallon? I really need to brush up on my fish keeping!

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jentralala

· #6 · May 11, 2013

The Walmart near me usually has a basic empty 10 gallon for sale for $12, if that helps

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Byron

· #7 · May 11, 2013

A 10g will give you more options than a 5g, but it is still very limited. It is sometimes difficult to imagine that a group of 7-8 "small" fish will be too much for a 10g, but fish are sold in stores when they are very young, juveniles, since this is less expense for the hatchery; and we forget they will (or should) grow, and different species need space for swimming if they are active, natural behaviours, etc. Not to mention the water quality that will always be easier to maintain the larger the tank with the fewer and smaller fish.

If you could indicate your water parameters out of the tap, namely GH (hardness) and pH, it will help us narrow down the possibles. As others have mentioned, the issue with smaller fish that suit these tanks is frequently specific water parameters. The basic run-of-the-mill fish like many of the tetra--and the Glofish mentioned--are not suitable in anything under a 2-foot tank. But there are many that are, depending upon parameters.

Byron.

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