So I'm thinking about doing my first custom tank, and it's micro-mini size. Before anyone jumps down my throat I want to point out that I'm here asking these question before doing it, and I have several other large tanks that are appropriately stocks and filtered... This is not to say I don't want to hear your thoughts if you think something will not work.
The Tank:
Starting with this, the goal is to be a small desk/counter tank. I'm thinking of doing it 12"x10"x4", should be about 2 gallons right? I'm also considering a type of filtration (I'll cover that later) that would use 2 of the 12 inches so the actual tank space would be 10x10x4. EDIT: To clarify, it'd be 12 inch long, 10 inch tall and 4 inches front to back...
The Filtration:
I've run into an idea that I like but I also understand that to be effective you need a lot more than you'd initially think. Fluidized filters seem to be an easy maintenance and fun looking type of filtration is your stock is small/light enough. Point being, what do y'all think of it and would it be enough (in that 2"x10"x4" space) for the stock that I will get into later?
The Lighting:
So I want to build the lighting into the tank. A while back I helped my dad with a project where he used LED strips to light some cabinets he was building and they were completely hidden. I was wanting to look into something like this but my primary concern is that, as I'll talk about later, I want to do plants, particularly something like dwarf baby tear. Would this be enough light or are there other alternatives I should look into?
The "Stock":
Finally we get down to the good stuff, and the part where I think most people will be split/give me heat...
As stated previously I'm wanting to do dwarf baby tear, or some other carpeting plant. This seems reasonable to me, but I also have no experience actually doing planted tanks.
As for "fish" I have a few ideas. Idea 1 is a beta. I know it's not a lot of space which is why I'm very much on the fence about it. On the flip side, I've seen betas in much worse housing. This set up would have good filtration and what I imagine is adequate swim space for a fish that isn't much of an "active" swimmer. Yes, bigger is always better. Yes, I've heard of betas using a whole 29 gallon tank, but activity wise I'm comparing them to something like silver dollars. My question is, do y'all feel 2 gallons is acceptable for a beta given good water quality?
Idea 2 would be shrimp. Obviously a more reasonable idea than a beta, but long term I'd like this is be on my wife desk and I know she'll want a fish. Again, this is an area where I have no experience, so any recommendation are welcome.
Idea 3, Snails? More of an additive to the other ideas, but I've seen some nice ones lately. I don't know how they do with plants though? Again, no experience, love to hear thoughts.
Idea 4 pea puffer? They're a fall back if the beta "doesn't pass" but again, is 2 gallons enough for them?
Idea 5 anything else? Tiny tetras? Other recommendations?
In conclusion, thank you to everyone who took the time to read this in its entirety, I know it was long. I look forward to y'all's responses. Again, this is just an idea that I'm throwing out there to see how reasonable it is. Thanks in advance for the responses!
The Tank:
Starting with this, the goal is to be a small desk/counter tank. I'm thinking of doing it 12"x10"x4", should be about 2 gallons right? I'm also considering a type of filtration (I'll cover that later) that would use 2 of the 12 inches so the actual tank space would be 10x10x4. EDIT: To clarify, it'd be 12 inch long, 10 inch tall and 4 inches front to back...
The Filtration:
I've run into an idea that I like but I also understand that to be effective you need a lot more than you'd initially think. Fluidized filters seem to be an easy maintenance and fun looking type of filtration is your stock is small/light enough. Point being, what do y'all think of it and would it be enough (in that 2"x10"x4" space) for the stock that I will get into later?
The Lighting:
So I want to build the lighting into the tank. A while back I helped my dad with a project where he used LED strips to light some cabinets he was building and they were completely hidden. I was wanting to look into something like this but my primary concern is that, as I'll talk about later, I want to do plants, particularly something like dwarf baby tear. Would this be enough light or are there other alternatives I should look into?
The "Stock":
Finally we get down to the good stuff, and the part where I think most people will be split/give me heat...
As stated previously I'm wanting to do dwarf baby tear, or some other carpeting plant. This seems reasonable to me, but I also have no experience actually doing planted tanks.
As for "fish" I have a few ideas. Idea 1 is a beta. I know it's not a lot of space which is why I'm very much on the fence about it. On the flip side, I've seen betas in much worse housing. This set up would have good filtration and what I imagine is adequate swim space for a fish that isn't much of an "active" swimmer. Yes, bigger is always better. Yes, I've heard of betas using a whole 29 gallon tank, but activity wise I'm comparing them to something like silver dollars. My question is, do y'all feel 2 gallons is acceptable for a beta given good water quality?
Idea 2 would be shrimp. Obviously a more reasonable idea than a beta, but long term I'd like this is be on my wife desk and I know she'll want a fish. Again, this is an area where I have no experience, so any recommendation are welcome.
Idea 3, Snails? More of an additive to the other ideas, but I've seen some nice ones lately. I don't know how they do with plants though? Again, no experience, love to hear thoughts.
Idea 4 pea puffer? They're a fall back if the beta "doesn't pass" but again, is 2 gallons enough for them?
Idea 5 anything else? Tiny tetras? Other recommendations?
In conclusion, thank you to everyone who took the time to read this in its entirety, I know it was long. I look forward to y'all's responses. Again, this is just an idea that I'm throwing out there to see how reasonable it is. Thanks in advance for the responses!
