New Tank

[monkeywobbler]

Hi guys!

I usually just lurk but I thought I'd ask for your opinion on a new tank (and I'm sure there'll be lots of opinion to listen to!).
I have a new tank (it's a 25ltr SICCE Moby Dick - not the best tank I've had but it was cheap and small [for the kitchen] ) and now it's cycled I noticed that the temperature was quite high (over 30). Took a look at the heater and it wasn't particularly high (22 I think), so I thought "aha, high ambient temperature", and then I thought "hang on just a minute, it's not exactly the Sahara here in not-so-sunny Peterborough" and took a look at the light which seemed to be getting quite warm. I turned the heater off, and it was still near the top end of the 20's the next day.
So I guess the light, and the summer weather is what's making the water so hot.
I'm not going to be buying another tank so I need some ideas for this one. Currently it has a horrible substrate (white quartz) which looked quite nice in the shop but actually looks a bit pants now it's in the tank. I'm happy to replace the substrate (bearing in mind the tank is lime green - now I'm typing this out I'm wondering why I bought a lime green tank). I also have some plants coming from Plants Alive -

Nymphaea Maculata
Echinodorus Peruensis
Echinodorus Parviflorus
Lobelia Cardinalis
Limnobium Spongia
Ludwigia Mullertii
Armoricia aquatica

plus I've got some unidentified plants from the LFS which I might get rid of along with some little java fern plantlets and a nice shaped piece of jopti (jopi? joti? I can't remember! ) wood.

So if anyone has any ideas about what could go in there (obviously not a large amount as it's small), apart from a Betta, I would love to hear them! I'm very into planted aquariums and would love ideas on how I could get the most out of the plants I already have in conjunction with some cool fauna. There aren't really any fish I don't like - although I suppose fish that like a high temp would do better for me.

Looking forward to hearing your ideas!

Monkey

 

[ALW]

Would have really be ether a Betta or 5 Tetras

 

[Biulu]

What kind of a filter do you have? I find that a powerhead (especially in a smaller tank) highers the temperature with several degrees! I am talking from personal experience, and therefore want to replace it with a hang on back filter.

For ideas on fish, look at this link: it gives good ideas for small tanks
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=979038

 

[monkeywobbler]

What kind of a filter do you have? I find that a powerhead (especially in a smaller tank) highers the temperature with several degrees! I am talking from personal experience, and therefore want to replace it with a hang on back filter.

For ideas on fish, look at this link: it gives good ideas for small tanks
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&...st&p=979038"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=979038[/URL]

It's got the one that came with the tank, one with a bio wheel, and I stuck one of the smaller Fluval internal ones in there too, so it's got pretty good filtration but you're probably right about the temperature. I could always unplug the overhead one and just use the Fluval I suppose. I'll take a look at that link, thanks!

 

[Biulu]

Yeah, the fluval 1 should be ok for that size. Good luck with choosing!