FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Unfortunately last night my molly died after three years. But like all things in life when one chapter ends it is simply a beginning for something new. So now I have a cycled 2 Gallon (US) Tank and I was hoping to get some ideas as to what I could do with it.

Tanks Stats:
2 Gallon Hex Tank. (It is tall and doesn't have much floor space)
UGF
Med to small blue gravel (Lots of gunk from three years).
No heater.
Light with 15W bulb (not florescent)

I was wondering what I could stock it with. I have some minor algae growth just from the ambient light, but if I planted it I could use the light on the tank. I was also wondering if I should remove the gravel and rinse it or would that just kill too much of the good bacteria in the gravel.

I do weekly water changes and I vacuum the gravel once a month. I don't usually check the water parameters, but I use the same water as my 20G tank which has a pH of 7.2 and is soft.

Thanks
Rick


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Wow, three years is a long time...sorry for your loss

You said you have no heater; any idea what the water temp usually is in the tank?

I think planting it is a good idea. I've had good luck with a small (5g) tank planted with an incandenscent light, but most people will recommend that you get one of the small screw-in flourescents that are available.

Unless you don't like the blue gravel don't remove it; just do a pretty through cleaning.

Stocking is tough for a 2g. Again, common recommendations would have said 'no' to your molly, but it ended up living for three years. The first point is to obviously not get something too big so its growth won't be stunted. Any schooling fish are out as well.

You could get a betta, either male or female; one sparkling gourami, possibly two but that might be pushing it; a few male Endler's; a few mosquito fish. And African dwarf frog is also an option.

Whatever you decide on do some reasearch into water requirements, especially temperature since you have no heater.

Good luck



~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Thanks for the input. I was also thinking a Betta since they are fairly easy to get and can do alright without a heater. We keep the house around 75 degrees so the tanks stays about that but it can swing to the low 70s to high 70's depending on what the weather does.

What would be good low light plants for the tank? I have a little castle in there (my wife's choice) and some ugly fake plants that I would gladly through away. I have never planted anything so I am not that familiar with what would be a good choice. I do know since it is an UGF I don't want something with roots.

Would Java Moss or Java Fern be OK just sitting on the gravel or would that disrupt the UGF to much?

Off Topic: I just noticed... I'm not a Small Fry anymore!

Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Congrats Fingerling!
For the 2g hex I'd recommend java moss, anubias nana petite or just nana, java fern, maybe corkscrew val for a tall background plant. Try it with the incandescant first. I used a power compact for reptiles on my 2g hex and had major algae problems. Also be sure the light is only on 10 hrs at the most, even with the incandescant light.
Fish are really limited, I had 2 white cloud minnows in mine, then I added frogs and guppies, what a mistake, so be careful and don't overload it too much. A betta will be very happy in there all by himself or with a dwarf frog(maybe), the tank is cycled and will be planted so I'm not sure how much you can stretch the stocking levels by. I thought the frogs looked pretty cool in the 2g set-up I had, it sounds like yours is similar to what mine was.

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

For 2 gallons I would suggest a betta or 1-2 african dwarf frogs. Other fish, like white clouds, are small but too actove for such a space.





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

I would replace the incadescant with a compact fluorescent screw in bulb, this will give you a lot more light with less heat.

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons

Ditto what BCW suggests. Incandescent is not only bad light for plants but I've found that it's also great for diatom algae . Especially since you dont have a heater in the tank you'll want to try and keep the tank temperature as consistant as possible, and because an incandecent will heat the water signifigantly you'll have hot and cold spots as well as a higher risk of temperature shifts. You can pick up screw in compact flourescents at most all stores these days, home depot sells a great daylight bulb that would be just perfect for plants . Hook up a small DIY CO2 and plant with high light plants and you'll have a really impressive tank.

^_^

How does this set up sound.

I'll replace the incandescent light with a small florescent. Since I already have plenty of ambient light I'll only have the florescent light on for like 5 hours a day (to slow the plants growth and prevent algae build up).

I'll plant the tank with some java fern tied down in the back to kind of hide the bubble tube for the UGF. In the front around the little castle I will plant some java moss.

I will stock it with a male betta and a small shrimp like an Amano or bumblebee.

I think it would look nice. Anyone see any problems I might have?


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Sounds like it'll work, set the light on a timer so it can come on in the middle of the day and you wont have to worry about it .

In the future you might consider another type of filtration as plants often (but dont always ) have growing problems in tanks that have UGFs.

^_^