What Can I Keep On My Desk At Work?

[Curiosity101]

Criteria would be...

• Able to go a weekend without light/food
• No filter/Air Pump neccesary
• Small tank 20cm x 20cm x 20cm maybe?
• Colourful and/or interesting
• No need for heater

I wasn't about to suggest fish... But I was thinking do any snails/shrimp fit the categories.
The office I work in is in the back of a warehouse. We have windows but no actual sunlight comes into the offices.
We have the 'day glo' flourescent lights lol.

Anyways...I REALLY need something to look at that ISN'T a computer screen. And that could survive over a weekend.
I could take them home with me if they're in a small acrylic tank, but would rather they're alright on their own.
And I know my boss wouldn't mind the living creatures, but might not be so keen in the increased electricity bills from heater+filter+air pump+ light...

 

[lyotim88]

well you're asking for a fish that i think everyone would love to own lol. a tiny tank with no filter, heater AND it has to be colorful? Jeeze, i'm not quite sure such a thing exists, maybe somebody else might know. Why don't you see if you can change the plan up a little bit. Let your boss know that fishtanks reduce bloodpressure and stress which he might just like for an office environment. Keep us posted and Good luck!

 

[bae1994]

just so you know in my lfs they sell batterie powered air pumps so no extra electric bill but you could use cheap batteries if you have a good supply then use a air powered sponge filter and with no heater if it stays at a reasonable room temp you may get away with some cherry shrimp and again you could use a not to bright torch for some light during the day

heres an ebay link for the pump its like 7 quid with postage

[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Powered-Air-...A1%7C240%3A1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Powered-Air-...A1%7C240%3A1318[/URL]

 

[lyotim88]

excellent idea by bae. I would go with that unless your boss will allow you to use electricity.

 

[Curiosity101]

I WASN'T suggesting fish. lol.

Of course I know that fish is a dream fish. I said I was thinking shrimp / snails.

And I was reading someones post earlier about some cherry shrimps surviving a scottish winter outside! So I'm thinking our room temp should be ok? It's relatively warm.

I was going to put battery powered LEDs in the lid for their light source. I mean it isn't dark in the office anyways. Just not alot of natural light.

I was thinking a couple of cherry shrimp + a couple of nerite. A plant and a javamoss ball? Plus a rock.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes, good idea.

The only fish that I know that is really hardy and can survive in really cold water temperatures are minnows.

Either a Fat Head Minnow, or a Rosy Red Minnow.

The Rosy Red is going to be colorful that a fat head minnow.

You are going to have to do frequent water changes though since you will not be able to have a filter.

-FHM

 

[lyotim88]

run a sponge filter off a battery powered air pump, like bae said.

 

[bae1994]

i was going to say for 8.50 you cant go wrong

 

[Curiosity101]

The equipment really isn't the issue.
I can and would happily buy a sponge filter attached to air pump...I can read *rolls eyes*

I wanted advice on what can actually live in the tank healthily.

NOT FISH. I repeat NOT FISH. I'm NOT WANTING IT TO HOUSE FISH.
Advice has been good so far but why are people so insistant that I want to put fish in it?

 

[Truck]

shrimps or snails or even just plants would be good. or all three.

 

[Curiosity101]

Yes but how many...what types.

I was thinking literally 2 cherry shrimp with 2 zebra nerite snails?

Would they actually need a filter? If so then fine I will happily get a battery powered one as suggested above

What size tank would they actually be comfortable in? Would something around the 10l mark be ok?

Is 10l actually plenty big enough...and could I maybe have 2 cherry shrimp and 2 of another species?

 

[Truck]

10 cherry shrimp would be fine. or 5 crystal reds and five cherry shrimp. and a nerite snail (with filter)