College Brainstorming

[Danno]

Well its been just over a year that I haven't had fish and im getting some serious fishtank withdrawls. I really likes having all my tanks running at home but now that I am in college im looking forward to creating a college-friendly tank for where I am. Im looking for some suggesting that would work or ideas that worked for you that have worked in the past. Here are the limitations put aside by the college rullebook.

Rules:
-Only one tank per resident.
-Must be 20 gallons or less. (the dementions of the tank don't matter)
-All subjects kept in the 20 gallon or less must be 100% aquatic (water breathing only)


I was thinking of setting up a 10 gallon tank with some community fish like Harliquin Tetras and putting in a bunch of live plants. I have time to devote to cleaning and waterchanges. Im not looking for a semi-aggressing, betta, aggressive, or goldfish tank. I was really looking forward to make a full community fishtank.

Im in a really great dorm room so I dont have any problems with "Lets get the fish drunk" or "Lets see how long they can survive out of the tank for" type of problems. I do have a lockable lid though for the 10 gallon tank from my past fishy history.

Any suggestions that you have or have had that were successful in your college days?

Thanks!

 

[chibi]

I'm hitting college soon, and was wondering the same thing. If you're setting up a 10-gallon, a nice schooling fish with plants would be nice. I would get a 20-gallon and stick just one really cool fish in it. I'm not sure what fish would be okay alone in a 20-gallon, but I'd figure it out... XD

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

if i were you i would be going for the twenty (actually if i were you id get a 25 gallon just to see if i could get away with it ) and id probably make a nano reef

 

[sylvia]

Just wondering - will you have to dismantle the tank during holidays etc? Some places want you out during the breaks and it'll probably be difficult with a 20 gallon. Otherwise, the bigger the better!

A 10 gallon isn't really enough for harlequin rasboras (I assume that's what you meant? They're not tetras ). But you can try smaller rasboras like spotteds. Endler's livebearers and mosquito fish work in small groups too. You can also have pygmy cories, maybe a single male honey gourami. There's actually quite a lot to choose from! I'd personaly get a male honey, 4 male endler's and 4 pygmy cories - colorful, active and cute .

If you change your mind on wanting a community, seriously consider Neolamprologus multifasciatus - they are little shell dwelling cichlids and extremely interesting to keep.

You may also want to search the beginners section as the 10 gallon stocking question is asked virtualy every other day

If you do have to leave during holidays, you may want to consider going down to just 5 gallons and sticking to some pretty shrimp in a heavily planted tank. Some varieties are just as beautiful as fish (like the cherries). Check out http/www.petshrimp.com for inspiration

If you go for a 20 after all, the options are endless If you want something colorful and active, consider a single male thick-lipped gourami (Colisa labiosa), 5 praecox rainbowfish (neon blue/dwarf), 3 dwarf chained loaches and a trio of platies (or something like that - that was just an idea off the top of my head).

 

[Danno]

We are allowed to keep things running during breaks. I have an autofeeder for away time.

I just needed to keep things simple though. Heck, its college. 20 would be ideal. 25 would be illegal smurfy. Or in other terms: cout<<"That is bad/n"; Hahaha But there is just one thing that I needed to say that I should have said before, easy/simple/small is good on the count that I have to transport this whole entire thing if its over a week and transporting a 20 gallon is a lot when you think that you are also transporting clothing, sheets, computer stuff and all.

Simple ideas are good too

EDIT:

I just had to add something.

uhm.....low budget is kinda required...lol...no money in college is the norm...*sigh*

 

[Sibelius]

I quite like the idea of shell dwelling cichlids, although I've never done it myself. Have you considered just a sandy substrate with rocks, Apistos, for stocking, and other peaceful species. This would mean you don't need to worry yourself with plants, I imagine maintenance wouldn't be a huge problem either.