Small Tank Advice

[cybergibbons]

Good evening,

I'm looking to buy a small tank and I'm looking for some advice...

I think the plan is to keep a betta and some cory catfish, though this might change whilst the tank is cycling and I read more about how to stock tanks this small.

I've seen the Arcadia Arc 20l and 35l, and like the way these tank looks, very clean. There's also the slightly bigger Aquacubes but these are much more expensive. I'm not sure about any alternatives these tanks... the Fluval Edge looks cool but I think it would rule out keeping a betta. Essentially I'd like a tank that looks good but not at the penalty of fish welfare or ease of maintenance.

I can't find out much information about the filter and heater that come with these - are they any good? There's some references to the filter being a bit poor, and I would quite like to replace it with an external filter so that the tank maintains it's clean appearance. What external filters would be suitable for a tank this small?

Great forums by the way, very very helpful and a lot of information! I'll certainly be following the fishless cycling, getting some filter media from a friend.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[kiriyama]

As far as I'm aware , the filter on the arcadia tank (was it the arc?) are pretty lightweight , I think you can get an upgrade version now on the 35ltr, http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/complete-aquariums/-c-1_67.html?p=shop
They don't come supplied with a heater unfortunatley. You would probably be able to use one of the Eheim eco , or smaller tetrarec if you want to use an external filter, nice tank I have had my eye on one for a while, let us know how you get on
http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters

 

[cybergibbons]

As far as I'm aware , the filter on the arcadia tank (was it the arc?) are pretty lightweight , I think you can get an upgrade version now on the 35ltr, http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/complete-aquariums/-c-1_67.html?p=shop
They don't come supplied with a heater unfortunatley. You would probably be able to use one of the Eheim eco , or smaller tetrarec if you want to use an external filter, nice tank I have had my eye on one for a while, let us know how you get on
http/www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish/filters_pumps/canister_filters

Thanks - I'll see if the LFS has the tank with the more powerful filter. I'm guessing it's fairly easy to move from the internal filter to an external one at a later date if I feel it is necessary.

 

[kiriyama]

Yeah , very straight forward, if you have been running the tank with internal filter for a while just put the media from it into the external to give it a small kick start. If you ever want to use the internal again then you have ready made media for it any time you like

 

[OldMan47]

You are probably looking at about the right tank size for your minimal stocking suggested. A 38 litre tank can easily be room enough for a small number of cories and a betta. If you really want to see the cories at their best it would be a good idea to have at least 5 of them. Unfortunately, the average cory size and a betta would mean a need for around 45 litres of tank. It is not much bigger but with less than 5 cories you really won't get their friendly natural interactions with each other. A 50 litre or bigger tank would let you have a full 6 cories and you are on your way to really seeing what a joy cories can be.

 

[cybergibbons]

I went for a look in some of the LFS today. None of them had the Arcadia Arc in but they did have some other slightly larger alternatives.

The Aqua One Horizon is 60l and has a similar design to the Arc, without a traditional hood. Possibly a bit larger than I'm looking for but I will check for space. The filter and lighting unit looked cheap as well.

There was also an Interpet Fish Pod 48l looked very good value. Curved front tank, proper hood. Wasn't one with a filter out.

 

[Curiosity101]

I was about to suggest the Aqua One Horizon. They're gorgeous looking tanks.

Infact if you have a look at this page
Aqua One tanks
they do some really nice looking kits.

 

[OldMan47]

Be careful to look at a tank with fish in it before buying a tank with a curved front. They are very attractive tanks but I find they distort the appearance of the fish by having that curved surface.

 

[kiriyama]

If you were looking in P@H unfortunately they are no longer stocking the arc along with some other brands as they will be mainly stocking Fluval, they has 3 arc when I was in today but no money till well after the new year
Also had Interpet fish box but has the bow front
Happy hunting, let us know how you get on

 

[cybergibbons]

Well, I've gone for the Arcadia Arc 35 with a 50W heater, but with the original smaller filter (mainly because I think if I want to replace, it, I will go with something external). We'd really struggle with anything much bigger in the current flat, so the bigger tanks were out of the question. We're moving in 4 months so hopefully we should be able to get something bigger later on.

We'll start a log when it all arrives!

 

[Theplayboy]

I recently brought the Arc 35 for my betta. The filter is working perfectly so far. Hes happier than hes ever been in his tank.

 

[Floyds mum]

I was about to suggest the Aqua One Horizon. They're gorgeous looking tanks.

Infact if you have a look at this page
Aqua One tanks
they do some really nice looking kits.

I second that ive got the smaller 54L one taken original filter out cos its far too big for the tank.