Which Tank Is Better For Zebra Danios

[rebrn]

Hello, Well I have made the decision to up size my tank. I currently have 1 zebra danios in a 5 gallon tank (fairly new running with the fish in it for 4 days) and so far he is doing fine. I have not added any new fish first because I wanted the tank to get established before adding more fish, and second because I have decided to up size the tank. So here is my question, I have been looking at 2 different tanks the first is a 12 gallon by Marineland (Marineland Eclipse 12) measures 21 inches long, 11 inches wide and 18 inches high. The second tank is a 6.6 gallon bookshelf tank measuring 24 inches wide, 8.125 inches wide and 9.25 inches high. My first thought is to go with the Marineland 12 gallon even though the length is not as long simply because it is a larger gallon tank, also the integrated filter system is significantly better. I was planning to start with 4 zebra danios in this tank and adding another four over a 6-8 week period. Meaning that I would have a total of 8 in the tank (but I haven't fully decided on this yet I may just leave it at 4). So are my first thoughts correct, go with the 12 gallon (20x11x18) or the 6.6 gallon (24x8x9)?

 

[JustKia]

I'd go with the 12 gallon.
However, before you get too excited I'd suggest that you please invest in a liquid test kit (not strips) so that you can see how the water stats are coming along - you'll need to know.
And second have a read of the two links in my siggie - basically you are now in a fish-in cycle. It can be done, but it's a lot more work than a fishless cycle and you'll need to be doing frequent water changes (1 reason why you need a decent test kit).

 

[arobinson1984]

Personally, I dont think either tank is big enough for zebra danios.

As you are probably aware, danios are extremely active and require plenty of swimming space, most website will recommend 20 gal minimum but I have 4 zebra danios in my 33 gal tank and wouldnt put them in anything smaller as it is not fair on them not having the swimming space they require

Andy

 

[rebrn]

Thanks that is what I was thinking aswell. I actually already have a liquid test kit as well as the dipping strips. I bought the dipping strips because the appeared easier, however, a friend of mine gave me a liquid test kit because he said they were better. Also, would it be ok to have 8 zebra danios in the 12 gallon or should I stick with the 4?

 

[craig855s]

It is recomended that danios have a tank at least 60cm in one direction so they can get a good run,but the more the better really,and u do want more gallonage so i'd go with the bigger tank..personally i'd go for at least a ~100 litre tank,in which you could have more than 8 zebra danios,or 8 danios and another group of fish like corys etc

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I'm a huge fan of the Eclipse tanks, but would never house danios in either their 6 or 12-gallon tank. They're just too active and need more swimming room. When I first bought my small 3-gallon, the sales person suggested I have a single danio cycle the tank. . .lol The fish went balistic and I had to return her the same day. I've since found that a Betta is perfect. Even with the 6-gallon, the most I would do is two fish who get along (probably two female betta).

If you'd like to stick with a smaller tank, then it'd probably be a good idea to consider other species of fish.

 

[rebrn]

I'm a huge fan of the Eclipse tanks, but would never house danios in either their 6 or 12-gallon tank. They're just too active and need more swimming room. When I first bought my small 3-gallon, the sales person suggested I have a single danio cycle the tank. . .lol The fish went balistic and I had to return her the same day. I've since found that a Betta is perfect. Even with the 6-gallon, the most I would do is two fish who get along (probably two female betta).

If you'd like to stick with a smaller tank, then it'd probably be a good idea to consider other species of fish.

Yeah I have heard that as well, however, I have currently a single danios in a 5 gallon tank, now granted he is the only one in there, but he is fine. He went a little crazy when I first put him in there and after about an hour he was fine. The only reason I am upsizing the tank is that I wanted to had 3 of the GloFish to the tank. I really had no interest in having more than 4 danios total in the 12 gallon eclipse but I keep having people tell me that I should have at least 8 danios in the 12 gallon. Personally, I am fine with only having the 4, first because I don't want to have to worry about inter-mingling species (at leat for right now) and second, as the last time I had a fish tank it was a disaster, I only wanted to keep a few until I was more comforatable keeping fish alive. I am not even planning to do any additions or changes to the 5 gallon I have right now untill the tank settles down abit. I am still working through amonia spikes (nothing to severe) but I wanted to at least get this 5 gallon to the point it should be at. Then I was going to move my single danios to the 12 gallon, put a beta in the 5 gallon. Only when that was completed was I going to add the additional 3 fish to the 12 gallon. Like I said the only reason I was even considering having more than 4 zebra danios in the 12 gallon is because I was told at the pet shop that in the 12 gallon if I was only planning to house zebra danios I should have 8 in total. However, from what I am hearing here is not to. So I think I will stick with my origional plan of 4 in the 12 gallon, it is a little longer than I had origionally thought, it is 21inches long. So I have been told that that is ok by someone other then the pet store. I have heard very confilcting opions regarding the zebra danios, and I was hoping to find more consitent opnions, but it does not apear that way. I have heard that even 1 danios should not be put in anything less than a 30 gallon tank and I have heard that you can have up to 10 in a 10 gallon tank (all of this assuming that you have no other fish in the tank). So seeing as my 1 zebra seems fine in his 5 gallon tank I guess it all depends on the individual fish. I will try my 4 in the 12 gallon and see how it goes, if I need to up size again I guess I will cross that bridge when it comes. Thanks to everyone for there advise I really appriciate it.