Help Me Pick A Tank For Jojo!

[Canadian Ginger]

Okay, for those of you who have read about my vt Betta Jojo Chinto, I'm sure you know he's seen a series of small tanks in the past two weeks I've had him

So as promised I've been looking to upgrade his tank to something slightly larger! Here are the ones I've taken a look at so far, I'd love it if you could tell me which (if any) look like it'd be worthwhile to purchase.

Just a note, Jojo has been in a 1/2 gallon and a 2 gallon for the past few weeks, neither filtered or heated. Shame on me, I know, you don't need to remind me (though I've got to say he's been lively and appears happy)!

So here are the ones I've been looking at:

Aqueon Mini Bow Desktop (in 5 gallon)

Marineland Eclipse Corner 5

Eclipse Hexagon 5

Those three are the ones I'd be able to purchase in the near future, but from what I understand I'm supposed to cycle the tank (which I definitely need to google!) so Jojo wouldn't be in it for a bit anyways.

Oh, just came across this one. No way I could afford it at the moment but its beautiful and definitely something for me to consider buying in the future!
Fluval EDGE Aquarium Set - 6 gallons


If you have any other recommendations I'd appreciate it! I live in Toronto Canada, but I don't mind ordering a tank online. I'd prefer to keep it in the 5 gallon range because they are relatively inexpensive and I don't have room for a whole lot more. Keep in mind I'm a student (being ridiculously scammed and hit up for money by my university) so I'd prefer not to go over $100 for a tank and all the accessories.

Sorry to bug you all again but you've given such great advice so far!

 

[woodstock]

5gallon mini bow for me! (I didn't look at the prices. Lol sorry ~ )

And I would LOVE the Edge one. Someday. Someday.

 

[Canadian Ginger]

5gallon mini bow for me! (I didn't look at the prices. Lol sorry ~ )

And I would LOVE the Edge one. Someday. Someday.

Haha, prices for the first three don't bug me very much, its more the style and accessories. I love the mini bow as well, but I also love the other two. Decisions, decisions.

The Edge one is gorgeous! But so expensive and it'd be a long process to find a place to put it so it really looks good.

 

[woodstock]

Pfft. Then get all three! Lol

In terms of style and accessories, I would like the Corner, but only if you have a corner to even put it in. THAT would be pretty. ... In a corner. Haha

The eclipse, you can't really decorate all you want. It's easier to have a more horizontal one versus vertical. And bettas swim horizontally too, so it's more preferable, I guess?

Mini bow - the most horizontal, even though a little. Yeah, I guess the Corner vs Minibow here, so if you have a nice corner, I guess go with the Corner But if not, Mini bow. Just all IMO

The edge IS pretty. I saw it on sale for $60 once!! But had no space. Or planning. ... Or money. Lol, shaaame.

 

[ellena]

Do you have craigslist or equivalent in canada? Or garage sales/car boots? I'd highly recommend getting a second hand tank. Soooo much cheaper. Or do a search for used tanks on ebay, in your area, for pick up. I've had 4 tanks 5-10 gall from eBay and paid between £10 and £20

 

[Honeythorn]

Any of those three are good, the edge is a vastly overpriced, badly designed gimmick, I wouldn't bother with it at all if I were you.

You do know you don't have to get brand spanking new tank right? As Ellena say's 5-10 gallon second hand tanks tend to pop up very frequently ( though also sadly often as a result of people keeping goldfish incorrectly and giving up ) and you can get a tank very cheaply indeed or even sometimes free. All you'd have to do is clean it.

Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales, newspaper ads, free ads, and also ask round any friendly neighbours or put a note around, that you're after a 5-10 gal tank and does anyone have a spare one in the garage/loft they don't want anymore?

This will save you a boatload of money, as a 25 watt hater and a sponge filter and airpump ( to run it ) will not cost you much at all. After that you could use some cheap small grade aquarum gravel, or childrens playpit sand ( usually safe for fish but wash it very well ) , both of which are cheap if you look around for a good deal.

Silk plants can be bought in packs on ebay too, and work out cheaper by the pack than if you go into an LFS and buy them individually.

Second hand is the way to go I say, Not one of my 5-12 gallon tanks cost me more than £10 at Car boot sales, and even my 30 gallon only cost £22 and came with a fully functioning external Eheim filter, free with the tank ( again, a car boot sale ) The filter alone is worth far more than the tank!!

It pays to keep a sharp eye peeled for a bargain

 

[LilyRose Tank]

hi there. i agree with the mini bow....nice looking little tank....good luck

 

[woodstock]

Any of those three are good, the edge is a vastly overpriced, badly designed gimmick, I wouldn't bother with it at all if I were you.

Why so? Have you used it before, or is it a personal opinion?

 

[Honeythorn]

I have never owned one because I have more sense than that. I have however seen many in use, and none of the fish in them were remotely happy to my eye. Listless, and in quite a few cases trying to gasp at a surface that doesn't exist due to the glass "roof" The surface area is horrifically small if you fill the tank as per instructions due to the way it is designed. And I have seen more than enough complaints that the filter is very strong for the size of tank, blowing the fish around a lot and making it even more difficult to reach that 4 inch square breathing hole.


I wouldn't even buy one second hand for 50p quite frankly.

 

[woodstock]

I haven't looked too far into this. Shouldn't there be an option to NOT fill it up all the way?

 

[Honeythorn]

Well obviously you can choose not to. But that defeats the point of the tanks design so why bother having the tank in the first place? You may as well just get a normal tank with a cover glass and hood or clip on light . Far more cheaply I might add.

The whole idea of this glass roof is so you can view your fish and tank from above - a rather futile thing to do since most fish become silouhettes of slim lines and wedges when viewed from such an angle, and most fishes markings and colourations , finnage ect are best viewed side on, as other fish , predators and potential mates would do ( as that's how they've evolved)

As I said, badly designed and aimed at people who want something pretty to match the curtains and wallpaper than to actually keep fish in because they're interested in them.

 

[rhstranger]

I have had a Betta and an apple snail in the Eclipse Hex 5 for the last year. Seems to be a great little tank. Only complaint I have is the tightness to get in and clean.
I have seen small tanks for a great deal cheaper online though. (ebay, craigs).
Try Kijiji for your area as well. I see small tanks on there all the time for pretty cheap. I just scored a 29,20H,stand, and all the accessories including silk plants for both for $70. I thought it was a pretty good deal....

 

[Night61]

i have used all of those tanks, and if i could only use one, i would pick the minibow tank. i have had trouble with marine lands in the past, hex tanks tend to get more gunk is the corners, and its difficult to keep clean. the corner too can be difficult with where the filter is located, it also has no special feed slot, so you have to lift the whole lid to feed a fish.
the minibow tank is simple for beginners and good for bettas, its easy to clean and set up and i would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Assaye]

First off, no need to Google a cycle. Here's a fab link from TFF!

Onto the tanks:

I would go for the 5 gallon Aqueon Mini Bow kit. It's long and thin rather than narrow and tall (like the hex) and gives him more swimming length than the corner tank. Bettas prefer long, low tanks because they like to get up for air quickly and like to partol their terriatory.

Fluval Edge - I know you can't afford it now but it's not the best betta tank anyay. It only has a tiny opening so the betta will find it hard to get air and the fact that the filter and the lights are focused on that tiny open patch means the betta might be nervous about braving the brightness and fast water to get air.

Great to hear you are getting a bigger tank - your boy will LOVE it! Just remember to give him time to settle in and not judge whether he likes it by how he behaves initially. He might be a little stressed by the move.