Boring 2.5 gallon office tank needs a makeover

[jarrodaden]

I have the Eclipse 2.5 gallon on my desk at work. I generally have kept a few guppies in there. The tank has become boring.

Right now I have white gravel, a small fern, java moss, 2 assassins, pit bull, and a few guppies.

I need ideas for an overhaul.

Emphasis on something unusual, relatively easy to maintain and potential for growth / breeding (if possible).

Thanks.

[myjohnson]

Go all out planted tank.

ADA AS, some nice rocks, HC as carpet, and keep some rare shrimps.

[Mzungu]

What kind of light is on that kind of tank?

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[jarrodaden]

I think it is 6 watt flouresent. The buld is marked "F6 T5".

It is 3 gallons and I said 2.5 before. Marineland / Eclipse 3 is how I find it on Google. Most Petco stores have it.

[jarrodaden]

Go all out planted tank.

ADA AS, some nice rocks, HC as carpet, and keep some rare shrimps.

Shrimps were one of my thoughts. Are there any smaller crawfish readilly available?

Also, is ADA AS aqua soil?

[chrisRstelly]

sweeeeeet..do you have a to run a filter with a small tank like that? i would think so but?

[jarrodaden]

sweeeeeet..do you have a to run a filter with a small tank like that? i would think so but?

It is all built in. There is a small top that extends down into the tank from inside the lid. Inside the lid there is a simple sponge type filter and then a bio-wheel which is the mechanical equivalent to bio media you would use in a cannister. It is a very compact but complete design. Perfect for a desktop.

[Mzungu]

Shrimps were one of my thoughts. Are there any smaller crawfish readilly available?

Also, is ADA AS aqua soil?

Yes, ADA AS is ADA AquaSoil. Lots of shrimps go quite well with AquaSoil, but I also find that dosing calcium every once in a while helps with both shrimp and snails.

Not sure about the crawfish, though, sorry. :)

A 6W fluorescent would work well for lower light plants. How are the plants you have in there now doing?

[myjohnson]

Also, is ADA AS aqua soil?

Yes.

You can also try a SW nano-reef. With that size tank if should cost to much.

[jarrodaden]

Yes, ADA AS is ADA AquaSoil. Lots of shrimps go quite well with AquaSoil, but I also find that dosing calcium every once in a while helps with both shrimp and snails.

Not sure about the crawfish, though, sorry. :)

A 6W fluorescent would work well for lower light plants. How are the plants you have in there now doing?

The sword isn't doing to well but I admit that I haven't tried ferts yet. Also I am using gravel right now with no soil. I don't have a problem with trying soil. Java moss is doing fine. The light isnt' super bright but I also have flourescent in my office and a window fairly close by.

[JStrider]

I ran a little 3 gallon office tank. had a natural gravel bottom, some nice driftwood. anubias, java fern and java moss. and Red Cherry Shrimp. looked good, maintenance and feeding was a no brainer, and there was always a shrimp with eggs, or baby shrimp i could point out to co workers.

best part was it was super cheap to setup.

[myjohnson]

Yeah, sounds about right.

A little excel and iron goes a long way.