What Would You Do With A Spare 5.5gal Tank

[syntax_error]

Hi all,
Anyone have any ideas? I'm open to SW, FW and even inverts (except frogs and newts).
Currently I have 29 gal SW reef and another 5.5gal dwarf puffer setup.

 

[aly_starh]

betta tank?

if not a mini reef would be cool, seen as your experienced in saltwater fish!

 

[Assaye]

I'm a betta addict so it'd probably become another betta tank, although a pico planted or pico reef would be pretty sweet.

 

[Curiosity101]

High tech planted, black background, dark substrate. Lots of plants and wood etc.

Then livestock wise I would got for crystal red shrimp grade A or above. But any of the bright shrimp would be good. Blue tigers shrimp look quite impressive aswell.

If shrimp weren't your thing, then a shoal of something very small such as ember tetras could be nice.

Then on top of either shrimp or fish I would probably add a nerite or two.

 

[syntax_error]

Oh about the betta, I've been thinking of a separate 2.5gal on my computer table.

 

[Honeythorn]

In which case you need your head examining.

2.5 gallons is not only a far too small amount to keep a betta in permanently, you have a 5.5 gallon tank which IS the correct minimum amount. Why on earth would you try to cram a betta into an unsuitable amount when you have a decent suitable tank which is perfect for a bettas minimum needs?

2.5 gals will be more of a faff to look after since a decent flter and heater to fit it will take up a good bit of the already too small space, and the water parameters will be even more difficult to keep stable because you have a lot less water to work with. Even with a filter you'd be needing to do large water changes every 3 days or so . You'd be making a lot more work for yourself and keeping a fish in what is effectively a puddle in a box.

on my computer table.

A betta is a fish like any other, not a desk ornament. Would you keep a dwarf or honey gourami in 2.5 gallons?

 

[Inchworm]

In which case you need your head examining.

2.5 gallons is not only a far too small amount to keep a betta in permanently, you have a 5.5 gallon tank which IS the correct minimum amount. Why on earth would you try to cram a betta into an unsuitable amount when you have a decent suitable tank which is perfect for a bettas minimum needs?

2.5 gals will be more of a faff to look after since a decent flter and heater to fit it will take up a good bit of the already too small space, and the water parameters will be even more difficult to keep stable because you have a lot less water to work with. Even with a filter you'd be needing to do large water changes every 3 days or so . You'd be making a lot more work for yourself and keeping a fish in what is effectively a puddle in a box.

on my computer table.

A betta is a fish like any other, not a desk ornament. Would you keep a dwarf or honey gourami in 2.5 gallons?

Let me direct you to this thread for some good information about keeping bettas:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=308000

As a matter of fact I bought a 2 1/2 gallon tank just yesterday to move my betta into. It's an excellent size for a betta, or for that matter, for honey gouramis. Unfortunately I also bought two African Dwarf Frogs, so the betta will have to wait until they get some more small tanks in stock.

 

[llamalord305]

Lets all have a cookie (biscuit) before this develops into something bad. Some say 2.5s are too small, some say its okay. Opinions, people.

 

[Truck]

Lets all have a cookie (biscuit) before this develops into something bad. Some say 2.5s are too small, some say its okay. Opinions, people.

yes opinions, and surely its okay to debate them!

i also agree that 2.5 gallons is fine if it is filtered and heated

 

[Inchworm]

Thanks for your comments, llamalord305 and llamalord305, but in all fairness to syntax_error we should try to stay on his topic. But, feel free to start a thread in the betta section about this.

 

[matchstickman47]

we have a beautiful half moon betta at wildwoods enfield


haha its blue and its got white tips to the fins

 

[eschaton]

5.5 gallons is too small for most schooling fish. One possibility is a shoal of one of the Boraras species.

But, if I had a 5.5 setup right now, I'm pretty sure I'd want a breeding pair of scarlet Badis. Nice way to polish off the bloodworm cube the dwarf puffer starts tearing into.

 

[Inchyally]

I would go with a Betta and I would try to seek out some of the beautiful Green Midget Shrimp.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

A pair or trio of small killifish.

 

[loraxchick]

I'm a betta addict so it'd probably become another betta tank, although a pico planted or pico reef would be pretty sweet.

that would be a nano- not a pico. picos are like a gal.
you could make the 5.5 gal into a combo planted/shrimp/snail/betta tank. ive got one just like that! plants, then inverts after lots of waterchanges (in case they were treated with copper) then the betta. a win win
cheers