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I'm wanting to make roughly a 5 gallon, planted nano tank for a single betta and maybe a few amano shrimp (if they are compatible )

I've got another two threads with separate questions going, but I was rethinking the tank itself. I was going to use an ordinary 5 gallon. However, I've seen some really nice tanks in a variety of shapes and sizes, some with curved glass.

Here are things I do want:

-Minimum 4 gallons; max 8 gallons (weight issue with dresser)

-Glass only - I hate non-glass aquariums and don't want to worry about scratching (been there; done that).

-Would prefer that it did not have integrated filtration. I want to control it myself, but will consider it, if it produces lower current. Bettas look graceful in still waters and plants do better when there isn't too much surface agitation.

So, where do I find tanks to explore. Links would be appreciated. I normally like longer tanks, but with just a betta and amano shrimp, I think the taller tank for taller plants may be better.

I could use help with lighting. I saw this and thought it would be a perfect size. But, not sure what tank it would go nicely on. 9 inches is too short for my 5 gallon tank, which is longer.
[link=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11382&N=2004+113176]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11382&N=2004+113176" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

I found this 8 gallon, which is glass and I love the shape. But, I don't see how you could fit a lid (bettas jump and amano shrimp are escape artists). I don't know that the 11 watts of light would be adequate and not sure how I would add more.

[link=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11426&N=2004+62761]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11426&N=2004+62761" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

Ideas?

Cory...

I have the five gallon minibow (which I like quite well) and use it in the same sort of manner you mentioned... it's planted, with a low current and such. However, it's not glass. On the other hand, if you can find the new-ish Minibow 7... that IS glass and it still has the graceful bow-front curve.

It allows for the addition of a filter (I find that the tetra internal filter that came with my minibow is excellent, especially for creating a very soft current that newborn guppy fry had little issue escaping) and has a full fluourescent hood. I haven't taken a good look at the tank, so I don't know how much light it would support, though. In the miibow 5, I've shoved a spiral CF bulb that works wonderfully in place of the incandescent bulbs it's meant to hold.

It IS a fairly new tank design, so I don't know about availability, but I have seen them in my local Petco, and I think at my Petsmart as well. Seems like a nice little tank. [link=http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/minibow7.shtml]http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/minibow7.shtml" style="COLOR: #000040[/link]

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

The 8 gallon could be alright. Just top it off with the plastic canvas you can find in craft stores. It can be cut to accommodate the shape of your tank and filters. A while back some bettas bowls were posted in a thread where Callatya had attached beads to the edge for decoration and to help weight down the canvas.

Last edited by pugperson at 16-Dec-2004 11:37

Interesting about the beads, pug.

Thanks Kitten for the link. I have looked often at those mini-bows but kept passing them up without noticing they had one made of glass.

Does anyone know what kind of lighting is in here? If it is not strong enough for the needs of plants like Riccia, microsword, how could I modify it?

I like that it is not a bio-wheel which is more apt to exchange too much oxygen. That might work. Attractive too.

EDIT: I found one at the Petco site and it claims to be a 14w bulb. That might be enough for the short depth (10 inches).

http://www.petco.com/product_info.asp?web=0&tab=3&SKU=1590517940&cm_ven=biz&cm_cat=83&cm_pla=1590517940


Last edited by Cory_Di at 16-Dec-2004 11:51

I'm not too good with all this tank-y technical stuff, but I can tell you that bettas and shrimp may not be a good idea, and depending on the shrimp, they can be expensive... all bettas I've kept have mutilated shrimp and small snails. A non-shrimp option may be ottos, though they do sure like to die off for no good reason...