3 Gallon Fish Tank?

[Mikaila31]

Three gallons is not too small for a betta, an African Dwarf Frog or two, a pair of guppies or other small fish. Just take care that it is cycled properly and receives regular water changes. With a tank that size, it's easy to do.

I really don't agree with this, except maybe the frogs, but only one in the tank.
I see it as anything less than 5 gallons shouldnt have fish in it.

Everyone has their own opinions. I think its easy to find fish that will go in a 3 gallon. I see no problem as long as the tank is cared for. I currently keep a 1 gallon with a fish in it.

 

[BritishRider]

Get the 3 gallon tank sold on eBay and buy a bigger one, you and your fish will be a lot happier. Bigger tanks don't always mean more expensive.

Search for "Aquael Classic Kit 40"

That might be something you will be interested in.

P.S. imo larger tanks look better to.

 

[hanny93]

I think its always better to spend less than £10 extra to get a tank that will be much better to look at and much easier to care for.

 

[Mikaila31]

I have both a 55 gallon and a 1 gallon. Both are nice and TBH the 55 gallon requires more time to care for then the 1 gallon. Small tanks just require a better understanding of what biological processes go on. If properly done there is rarely a problem.

 

[hanny93]

Alright okay well this is obviously a battle of opinion!

In my eyes I really dont think anything less than 5 gallon tanks should be used for fish, but obviously others have differing opinions.


By the way, no offence was intended and I hope none was taken.

 

[Inchworm]

Alright okay well this is obviously a battle of opinion!

Please understand that there is no battle going on here. The purpose of a forum is to provide a place for every member to express their opinions so others can learn and understand what makes the hobby work. It is ever so much more helpful to explain why you think your statement is correct than to try to force your beliefs on anyone.

Have you had a bad experience with keeping certain fish in a small tank? If so, let others learn from your errors. Have you had success with other groupings and tanks? Let us know that too. Like I mentioned, it's a lot more useful than just repeating information that you picked up online. Too many people do that and as a result, there is a lot of useless, even harmful information circulating in the forums.

 

[hanny93]

Yes I've had multiple bad experiences with small tanks.

Unstable water conditions, diseases much more common and water quality much harder to keep good enough for good fishkeeping.


I worded that wrong, I didnt mean battle I just meant it was different opinions and different advice, and i wasnt trying to force my opinions on anyone, I just wanted to get my point across.

I agree that some smaller tanks can look excellent, but IMO are only for very experienced fishkeepers because of the difficulty of water condition being kept stable enough.

My first tank was a 17L orange plastic rubbish thing, and that, coupled with no experience, knowledge or sense and 3 oranda, was nearly enough to put me off fishkeeping, because I couldnt keep it healthy. I still wouldnt buy it because it's just so small.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

My brother has had excellent success keeping 3 ADFs in a 3 gallon tank for several years. He does 100% water changes every week and the frogs continue to thrive. His set up is very simple. 3 gallon tank. Small heater, small decoration in the middle and a sprig of bundled stem plants. The frogs sing and breed constantly. His problem right now is raising the tadpoles.

 

[Caprichoso]

A favourite quote of mine always come to mind when I hear success stories about fish living in micro habitats.

"Yeah but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could they didn't stop to think if they should." ~ Jeff Goldblum

Let's face it, Bettas that live in the cups at the lfs are alive and one could argue that as success. But is it? For who? Just my opinion...don't rage on me....

 

[likescichlids]

ok well i can't help my G-ma with her tank right now cause my mom say to wait in till the summer... And she want a 5 gallon..

 

[hanny93]

Glad she wants a five gallon, it'l be much easier.


And caprichoso - Betta's survive in those cups, but they don't thrive, and is something ever going to be happy if it's just surviving?

 

[james_fish]

My opinion would be no fish in a 3 gallon. But a betta in a 5 gallon would be okay, with some live plants and maybe some shrimp if you like.

James.

 

[Tolak]

It's not tank size, it's aquarist experience. Many breeders of show bettas raise & keep show winners in 1/2 to 1 gallon jars, no filter, heated room. That comes with experience.

Best bang for your buck in the US is a 10 gallon tank, dollar per gallon it's the cheapest, second is a 55 gallon. 2.5 & 5 gallon glass tanks cost more than a 10 gallon, due to the huge volume of 10 gallon tanks being made. It's common for used 10 gallon tanks to be sold at auctions for a dollar or two.

That being the case, for the new fishkeeper I always suggest a 10 gallon. I'm cheap as dirt, and I feel everyone should enjoy this hobby as economically as possible. The hardware associated with a 10 gallon is going to be nearly identical to that used in a smaller tank, the glass box itself is cheaper, and offers a few more possibilities.

 

[likescichlids]

It's not tank size, it's aquarist experience. Many breeders of show bettas raise & keep show winners in 1/2 to 1 gallon jars, no filter, heated room. That comes with experience.

Best bang for your buck in the US is a 10 gallon tank, dollar per gallon it's the cheapest, second is a 55 gallon. 2.5 & 5 gallon glass tanks cost more than a 10 gallon, due to the huge volume of 10 gallon tanks being made. It's common for used 10 gallon tanks to be sold at auctions for a dollar or two.

That being the case, for the new fishkeeper I always suggest a 10 gallon. I'm cheap as dirt, and I feel everyone should enjoy this hobby as economically as possible. The hardware associated with a 10 gallon is going to be nearly identical to that used in a smaller tank, the glass box itself is cheaper, and offers a few more possibilities.

well it not up to me to say what she can get she doesn't have a lot of space of a bigger tank so it going to be a 5.5gallon...

 

[Caprichoso]

Glad she wants a five gallon, it'l be much easier.


And caprichoso - Betta's survive in those cups, but they don't thrive, and is something ever going to be happy if it's just surviving?

That was my point.