2 gallon unheated/unfiltered tank

[yvez9]

Hi

I just got this 2 gallon tank. I want to bring it at work but they won't allow me to use a heater or filter.

I also put my plant eating snail in it so it would stop doing damage to my main tank.

The temp at work is a steady 22-23 degrees with pretty much no variations.

I will provide lighting to the tank.

Anything I could keep in here?
I know a betta is a good option. Goldfish is pretty much out of the question as it will outgrow this after a few months.

Is there any other kind of fish I can keep without filtering and heating in such a small environment?

 

[The-Wolf]

I think you are limited to either a beta or perhaps a few shrimp.

Another idea is sea monkeys, which you could breed in the tank at work and then feed to your fish at home.

 

[sylvia]

Without a heater or filter you pretty much have no choice but a betta. You could try 2 SMALL male guppies (male guppies don't always get along in small spaces though) as they can withstand slightly lower temperatures but without filtration this is major over-stocking (as is the betta mind but so many people still do it). Goldfish are DEFFINATELY out of the question! 20 gallons per fish and 10 per smaller fancy goldfish.

 

[yvez9]

Shrimps would certainly be funny! lol

I'll have to talk about it with my co-worker because this is our project.

As for a betta, I got one yesterday but I think the temp is too cold at my place (i brought the tank home for the first few days) and the fish died after a few hours. (It must around 20 in the room where the tanks are).

 

[shadow]

Depending upon the constant temp I was able to keep a betta and 1 mollie in a 2.5 gallon...until I went fish crazy and bought a 10 gallon! Maybe 2 small guppies or a betta would be the best choice. Just make sure whichever fish you decide on 1-won't outgrow the tank and 2-if you only get one, make sure it can be kept alone. I know mollies and platys like to be in groups.

 

[kev_kb]

Please don't keep Mollies in such a small tank, they can get to 3" and like to swim a lot. IMO your limited to a Betta, Snail and Shrimps.

 

[yvez9]

All right then
I'll find a way to keep it warmer than it is right now and put a betta in there again

 

[Slyspy]

Could you not put a couple of dwarf frogs in there?

 

[blue_ram]

What ever you do, don't add an apple/mystery snail! They will pollute the tank like you wouldn't believe. I added a 1.5" snail (Pomacea bridgesii) to my 10g, about a week ago just to see if they will eat my algae. In just a week, my nitrate reading went from 5mg/L to 15+mg/L! At first, I couldn't figure out the cause of nitrate spike. It couldn't be the snail, it's too small to cause that much increase in nitrate....or so I thought. I, then see my snail, happily munching away at the algae, while leaving a massive trail of excrement behind him. The snail is producing more waste than all my fish put togather! Looks like I'll have to double the water changes.

 

[modernhamlet]

Could you not put a couple of dwarf frogs in there?

I wouldn't without a filter.

 

[yvez9]

This is getting complicated

Why is it that some people can keep a betta in a bowl on there desk and I can't keep one in a 2gallon tank?

I think the temp is hot enough here anyway to keep a betta, it must be a good 5 degrees warmer than at my place.

Also there is a neon fixed right underneath the shelf i put the tank on so it heats it up a bit...

I'll go get a new betta during lunch time

 

[gale]

Why is it that some people can keep a betta in a bowl on there desk and I can't keep one in a 2gallon tank?

I think the temp is hot enough here anyway to keep a betta, it must be a good 5 degrees warmer than at my place.

Also there is a neon fixed right underneath the shelf i put the tank on so it heats it up a bit...

I'll go get a new betta during lunch time

well....just because people keep a betta bowl on their desk doesn't mean it's good for the betta. I am hoping to get a betta soon but I'm going to get a 2.5-3 gal tank and heat it. If you think the heat is fine, then just monitor it and maybe you can figure up a way to warm it if it gets too cold. I think bettas like it fairly warm.

Good luck with your new betta.

 

[Nisha]

Keeping a betta would be just fine.
Aclimate your Betta to the water before adding him. Float the bag with the betta in the tank before moving him in. This prevents shock for the Betta.
Also, adding a quarter teaspoon of aquarium salt to the water helps the Betta keep healthy. Make sure you are adding a dechlorinator such as stresscoat to the water as well. Regular water changes are important.
Adding a silk plant or small java fern would give the Betta something to rest on too.

Hope this helps.

 

[sylvia]

What ever you do, don't add an apple/mystery snail! They will pollute the tank like you wouldn't believe. I added a 1.5" snail (Pomacea bridgesii) to my 10g, about a week ago just to see if they will eat my algae. In just a week, my nitrate reading went from 5mg/L to 15+mg/L! At first, I couldn't figure out the cause of nitrate spike. It couldn't be the snail, it's too small to cause that much increase in nitrate....or so I thought. I, then see my snail, happily munching away at the algae, while leaving a massive trail of excrement behind him. The snail is producing more waste than all my fish put togather! Looks like I'll have to double the water changes.

Out of curiosity... did the snail do a good job of ridding the tank of algae?
Algae uses up nitrates...

 

[yvez9]

I finally went and bought a betta during my lunch hour

I took the most active one, as active as he could possibly be in a small cup.

He is all blue and has a few faint red lines on his fins. I let him rest in the bag for over an hour while pouring in some tank water , maybe 1/2 cup at a time.

When I put him in, he kept looking at his reflections on the side of the tank and flared just a little bit. I put a mirror right next to the taml to see his reaction and by god, he flared!

I fed him later in the afternoon 3 small pellets which he ate after a few seconds. He.s been exploring his new home.

I put in one silk plant that came with the aquarium and I got him a little ceramic decoration that says "No Fishing" with two little sharks holding it

I hope he'll still be as lively tomorrow!

Any other questions I have regarding this fish wil be posted on the Betta board but thank you all for your help!