best aquarium brands?

[saskiasmith]

Hello,

I'm new to the list....I live in Los Angeles and want to start up a 5-12 gallon tank for freshwater (warm) fish. I would like some puffer fish (the less agressive kinds) and would like to know the following:

What would the best kind of aquarium be (for puffers but also all fish)--acrylic or glass, and what kind of filter? I have been reading that the bio-wheel is a "must" but is this something I can put in any filter or only available in the Eclipse filters?
Can I keep large neon tetras with the little puffers? If I get two or three of them will they squabble amongst themselves and leave the other fish alone? How big of a tank is recommended if I want two or three puffers, and a few other similarly sized fish and possibly 7 or 8 tetra?

Thanks,

Saskia

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I wouldn't know the answer, though you'll probably get quite a few good ones. This site is a good place for information.

 

[Bol]

Glass vs. Acrylic

Acrylic is more expensive, but stronger. This is mainly a benefit of large tanks, because the acrylic for such tanks will be much thinner (and lighter) than glass in the same situation.

Acrylic scratches more easily, but the scratches are much easier to get rid of.

For a 10-ish gallon tank, I think it's mainly a personal preference.

Bio-Wheel

As far as I know, the "Bio-Wheel" is a patented product of Marineland or Marineland Labs. They offer it in their Eclispe hoods, Penguin and Emperor 'hang on back' filters, and as an option for thier Magnum canisters.

A Bio-Wheel is not a must (obviously, since there are plenty of successful fish-keepers without them), but it does probably help. Especially for a beginner, as it provides a bacteria bed that you can't remove -- well, not accidentally, anyway.

Can I keep large neon tetras with the little puffers? If I get two or three of them will they squabble amongst themselves and leave the other fish alone?

From what I've read, the answers are "most likely not" and "most likely not".

Most people will suggest keeping puffers by themselves, and usually recommend 2 or 3 for a 10g tank.