6 gallon Eclipse tank for my son

[koimom]

Okay, here goes:

My special needs son has been allowed to only have bettas so far; they have usually lasted about a year each. Our last one passed away and to help encourage him in better behaviors (as a reward) I purchased a 6 gallon bio wheel Eclipse tank. I've not set it up yet; we still need to buy gravel, plants, etc. and cycle it for 24-48 hours, etc. (I'm not a full newbie on tanks!) But I would like suggestions at what might be a good combination for the tank, as he would like to try having more than one fish at a time. So...should it be 3-4 White Clouds and 1 Otto, or what? Any ideas? The fish need to be relatively hardy; I know that sometimes they just don't make it but I have successfully medicated and quarantined in the past. But I don't want to worry about fancy fish dying.

Any suggestions?

 

[cometcattle]

I like the white clouds (3-4), but instead of ottos, I would get a couple of small corys, or an African Dwarf Frog.

If you decide on corys, wait a few weeks to add them. You want to be sure your water parameters are stable.

Edit: Be sure to buy a heater. 25 watts is what I use on my 5.5g.

 

[cutechic]

3-4 white clouds sounds good. Otos should be kept in groups, so perhaps get a trio of them. As cometcattle suggested, wait a couple weeks before adding otos or corys since they need stable water conditions.

 

[Sky042]

Just make sure you read the article on Avoiding new tank syndrome. Cycling isn't completed in 24-48 hours thats impossible.

That said I have a 5G eclipse hex and am current sucessfully keeping 2 honey gouramis 2 corys and 2 otto's with live plants and things are perfectly stable.

 

[Sky042]

also i'd reccomend going to wal-mart and buying a compact flourescent for it they're MUCH better than the incandescent they come with

the one at wal-mart is $4.49 and looks like this

If you can't locate that All-Glass does make a simlar product for a bit more that you can buy from bigals.

 

[koimom]

Thank you for the suggestions. I read the article for fishless cycling and would like to try it. Which kind of ammonia should I buy? Is it the same kind of ammonia I would find in the cleaning section of a grocery store, or do I need something different?

 

[tstenback]

Same kind just make sure its clear ammonia. if you shake it and it does not foam up then it should be fine. HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Do you have a mature filter in another tank? If so, there should be no need to cycle as such. I never cycle my tanks, I simply take filter media out of a mautre tank and put it in the new one (putting the new media in the old filter) gove it a few months or whatever and switch them.

Et voila!

 

[koimom]

The filter we used for the betta bowl was an in tank filter called a SHARK, but the filter's been left in the garage to dry, so I doubt it's still usuable.

 

[cometcattle]

Another easy way to get benefical bacteria is to buy a small potted plant from a reputable Aquarium Shop.

I would recommend a java fern, they don't require bright light and they are virtually "bullet-proof". Plus, I think they look great!

 

[koimom]

Good, will try the java fern. Also, can't use the Walmart light as the light that comes with this is 12" long and 1'/2" thin flourescent, so will stay with it instead. Off to the LFS with son to try to beg established gravel and get potted plants and start cycle...

 

[koimom]

Went to LFS that I usually go to, told them I planned to do Fishless Cycling and they acted as if I were crazy. I am wondering though, if I added some gunk off the filter from my koi tank, (like I did for the emergency pond's filter outside), if this would help and sort of work like Cheese Specialist suggested?

 

[cometcattle]

I don't see why not. But I know NOTHING about ponds.

Personally, I would ask in the "chit-chat" section if it would be wise to do that. Many people have tropical tanks and ponds on this forum.

What chemicals do you add to the pond? If you use any type algae killer you probably could kill your plant.

 

[kittybug]

there are also products that you can buy at walmart or your lfs that are supposed to do the cycling. might be better then guessing if you are buying the right kind of ammonia at the store

 

[Sky042]

there are also products that you can buy at walmart or your lfs that are supposed to do the cycling. might be better then guessing if you are buying the right kind of ammonia at the store

Those products still need something to feed off which is where the ammonia comes from.


you'll want to get pure clear ammonia. I found it at wal-mart for 97 cents.