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Hey guys!

im planning to make everything small - 2.5 gallon aquarium, tetras, small plants, and gravel. Obviously, the aquarium is too small for an overhead or hanging type of filter. do you know what's the best filter for it? its gonna be a challenge putting this tank altogether coz im used to my 10 gallon aquarium for years now. this is something new for me to do. hope you guyz can help! thanks!

Welcome to Fish Profiles.
Tetra's shouldn't be kept in a 2.5 gal. tank. They need a bigger tank, as they are schooling fish & you need at least 6 to make them happy.


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For a 2.5 you really can't have schooling fish in it. I know that people do it, but it's the same as stuffing 6 kids in a closet and expecting them to be fine for the next 50 years.

Possibilities for a 2.5 are a bit limited, however there are options. The easiest one is obviously a betta. Additionally with that sized tank filtration becomes optional as you'll be doing @least a 50% water change on it weekly. You could either go with an AC mini or the equilivant, or since it's going to be planted anyway, go without filtration and keep up on the water changes.
Welcome to the site, hope you stick around .

^_^[hr width='40%'] Only 13 dives and they're already calling [link=me]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] a
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Hi,
Power filters for small to nano tanks are very rare and
can be relatively expensive.
Here is one possible option:
[link=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9821&N=2004+22768]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9821&N=2004+22768" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]

In the same site, they have several sponge filter options,
one of which might be small enough, or, look at them and
create your own out of sponge, tubing and an air pump.
If you custom make your own you can find places to hide it
or blend it into the aquascape.

Inside filters in an already small tank, seem to take up
"huge" amounts of room, and detract from the appearance
of the tanks. I'd prefer to keep the filter outside and
leave the tank to the "swimmers."

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Another good idea is to do an invert tank. With such a small tank lighting and substrate is very easy and affordable, so you can grow most any plant that will fit. Then add some shrimp or an apple snail or two and your done. A pair of african dwarf frogs might be ok.

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The sponge filter's a good idea. ill try the small one, or if its still to big, ill make one. probably hide it behind a plant.

by the way, are there any alternatives to just putting a betta?

ill fix up my small tank next week and probably take some pics to show you guys.

Last edited by gapgap at 07-Jul-2005 09:39

With a 2.5 gal. tank, a Beautiful Betta is your best bet.


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http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

thanks!

Do you know of any people who have small tanks like mine? or pictures that i could look at?

this site is really great! i just voted in aquarank and wow, its #1!

I know bensaf has a small planted tank, it's 5 gallons though so twice your size. He does have a post about it in photobooth, unfortunatly the thread is old so the images are no longer showing. I'm sure he'd be happy to share though.

I'd worry about using a sponge filter if you're looking for a planted tank as the bubbles would increase surface agitation. Which is part of the reason I suggested either going with no filtration or a small HOB. If you keep the water level high enough you'll have almost no surface agitation with a HOB.

^_^[hr width='40%'] Only 13 dives and they're already calling [link=me]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] a
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i bought once a 2g tank at walmart...i returned it eventually coz its just to small...anyway, if u want that one..u can go there and buy that one...its a kit..everything included and its cheap...its done my marineland...and comes in diff colors...and the best of is..t comes with a biowheel..it has a 3filter system. u may want opt to get a bigger one...a 3g tank made by hagen...waterhome 3...they have the 2g tank as well..its a complete kit. when it comes to fish...tetras cant be..just not enough swimming surface.

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2005.cgi

This site has some amazing photos of small tanks from their past aquascaping contests. Im sure you will find something to help to aquascape.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.