1 gallon tank

[Mellie101]

Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
there will go into the big tank.

My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
even work as a hospital tank.

Anyway, just a thought
Thanks
Mellie

[CanadianCray]

Good move getting the bigger tank. Put the 1 gallon under it & use it to
hold your nets & nick knacks.

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.
>
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.
>
> Anyway, just a thought
> Thanks
> Mellie
>

[Gail Futoran]

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.
>
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.
>
> Anyway, just a thought
> Thanks
> Mellie

How about a couple of African Dwarf Frogs?
They stay small, are purely aquatic, and are fun
to watch. You can toss in some live plants -
you don't have to plant them, just let them
float - and a few small decorations.

If you're interested, be sure to distinguish
between the small, gray, spotted ADF and
the eventually MUCH larger African Clawed
Frogs that look albino.
Here's a link about the ADFs:
http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/mypets/dwarfs.html

Gail
San Antonio TX

[Koi-lo]

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.

Goldfish can handle water that warm although it's not ideal.

> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.

How about a few male guppies for color and movement along with a plant and a
small decoration? If you can cut back on the aeration (no wild bubbling)
you can put a betta in such a small tank.

--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
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[Elaine T]

Mellie101 wrote:
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.
>
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.
>
> Anyway, just a thought
> Thanks
> Mellie

You could keep a betta if you consistently change most of the water
every week. There are also some pygmy rasboras I've seen that would
probably do well. If you keep neons, I'd stick to three. Nothing will
have much swimming room in that size tank, and there isn't much margin
for error on the water changes and cleaning.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi..

[...1g tank...]
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish
> in it.

You could but shouldn't better do that.. ;-)

I would recommend life plants (elodea, java moss) and a
maximum load of 5-7 small tropical freshwater shrimps.

> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's?

Minimum: A 6-10g tank for 6.

--
cu
Marco

[Richard Sexton]

>My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
>know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
>thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
>even work as a hospital tank.

Not well. One small Rasbora maybe...

A betta?



--
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633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

[Mellie101]

Hi, thanks for the help. Now thinking along the lines of a Beta.
Always feel sorry for them in pet store. Silly question, but will one
out grow a 1g. I know they like small spaces but don't want to put
myself in the same position as we did with the gold fish.
Thanks again
Mellie

[Koi-lo]

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi, thanks for the help. Now thinking along the lines of a Beta.
> Always feel sorry for them in pet store. Silly question, but will one
> out grow a 1g. I know they like small spaces but don't want to put
> myself in the same position as we did with the gold fish.
======================
I don't believe they "like" small spaces as much as they can adapt and
survive in small spaces if well cared for. No, they will not outgrow a 1g
tank or jar.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
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Reading Headers:
http://tinyurl.com/amm9s
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Gail Futoran]

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi, thanks for the help. Now thinking along the lines of a Beta.
> Always feel sorry for them in pet store. Silly question, but will one
> out grow a 1g. I know they like small spaces but don't want to put
> myself in the same position as we did with the gold fish.
> Thanks again
> Mellie

They don't get very large, max about 2" body.
Neither do they tend to live very long (at least,
not in my experience). Often when you buy one
in the store it's already an adult. See if you can
find a juvenile - smaller. Oddly enough, one
of my local Petsmarts had a number of
juvenile females. Females can be hard to find. I
bought two to keep in separate community tanks.

Gail


Gail

[Daniel Morrow]

Bottom posted.
Mellie101 wrote:
> Hi, thanks for the help. Now thinking along the lines of a Beta.
> Always feel sorry for them in pet store. Silly question, but will one
> out grow a 1g. I know they like small spaces but don't want to put
> myself in the same position as we did with the gold fish.
> Thanks again
> Mellie

I would think 1 gallon should be fine for a betta if you take good care of
him/her. Do frequent water changes (easy with a 1 gallon container) without
changing TOO much water, use a heater, have a SMALL filter and if you put in
any live plants use a light source for them (desk lamp with cheap
fluorescent light screwed (incandescent outlet) in it), bettas are certainly
different compared to goldfish in the gallons per fish requirement. You
won't need a heater if you can keep the temperature at approximately 70
degrees or higher with room temperature. I think the filter is important to
keep the nitrites/ammonia down, you might want to investigate (don't buy it
until you are SURE!) the smallest biowheel penguin marineland filter on the
market and see if it fits your 1 gallon container, it would provide great
biological filtration if it fits and you might decide not to use one of
those still because it might LOOK too big even if it fits (i.e. for
aesthetic reasons you might refuse to use one and that might very well have
some merit). You could probably use a hagen elite mini or some such filter,
otherwise. Good luck and later!

[IDzine01]

Keeping a betta healthy in a 1 gallon can be a bit of a challenge. The
tank will need to be cleaned much more often then a larger tank. Small
tanks are difficult to keep stable. For instance, you'll have to come
up with a solution to keeping the temperature around 78*f and
consistent. (Once you turn the light off, the temp will drop)

I agree with whoever recommended live plants over a fish.

[IDzine01]

I don't know that I would keep an ADF in a tank that small. They can be
pretty sensitive and should probably be kept in cycled tank with a
heater.

[fish lover]

Best way is to use the tank as medical dip tank when needed. I bought
one (about $10) just for that.

1 G tank is too small for anything IMO. If you really want, you can
get a 20 g tank with everything (filter, heater and lights) for about
$30 in Walmart when they are on sale. Keep in mind the smaller the
tank, the less room for errors, and less likely you would have health
fish.

BTW, I would never buy fish at Walmart!


>Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
>started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
>buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
>that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
>light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
>tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
>the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
>the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
>there will go into the big tank.
>
>My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
>know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
>thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
>even work as a hospital tank.
>
>Anyway, just a thought
>Thanks
>Mellie

[Koi-lo]

"fish lover" > wrote in message
...
> 1 G tank is too small for anything IMO. If you really want, you can
> get a 20 g tank with everything (filter, heater and lights) for about
> $30 in Walmart when they are on sale. ..........
======================
Unless I'm remembering wrong these are 10g tanks and all the accessories you
get with them are cheap and tacky. Better to buy good quality stuff in a
regular pet shop or aquarium store. That is, unless you're not sure you
plan to stay in the hobby.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Troll Information:
http://tinyurl.com/9zbh
Reading Headers:
http://tinyurl.com/amm9s
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Elaine T]

IDzine01 wrote:
> Keeping a betta healthy in a 1 gallon can be a bit of a challenge. The
> tank will need to be cleaned much more often then a larger tank. Small
> tanks are difficult to keep stable. For instance, you'll have to come
> up with a solution to keeping the temperature around 78*f and
> consistent. (Once you turn the light off, the temp will drop)
>
> I agree with whoever recommended live plants over a fish.

I have a betta at work in about a gallon of water. There are some
plants and gravel to give him some cover. I gently rinse the plants and
gravel (aka biofilter) and change all of the water weekly. This
particular fish is active and staying healthy at room temperature.

I know heating bettas is a big deal to you and tynk, but honestly, this
fish is as active as the one I have next to me at 77F. He flares some,
shadowboxes with his reflection, builds bubblenests all the time, and
begs for food whenever I come into the room.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[IDzine01]

You can have a healthy fish in a small unheated bowl but heating
lessens stress induced illnesses and common cool water diseases like
Ich.

I should add that many wild bettas are commonly found in waters much
cooler (the mid 60s) then what Betta splendens are used to. (And some
in warmer waters) There are great variations among the betta species.

[NetMax]

"Mellie101" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.
>
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.
>
> Anyway, just a thought
> Thanks
> Mellie

Do you have access to a swamp? Lake, river or creek will do too, but
swamps and slow creeks seem to be best. Take your child with you and
collect a glass of water. Put it into the 1g bowl with a bit of
vegetation and a few flakes of food every few days, and tell her to check
every day for life. You should get a variety of bugs, beetles, daphnia,
nemotodia etc showing up. To a child, watching a variety of bugs going
through their stages could possibly be much more interesting than a
single fish. Dragonfly larvae can be particularly interesting to watch.

ps: put a screen over the bowl, to hold the evolving flyers ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Flash Wilson]

On 30 Jan 2006 16:58:35 -0800, IDzine01 > wrote:
>Keeping a betta healthy in a 1 gallon can be a bit of a challenge. The

I have a betta in a 2.5g tank - I just put her in a coffee cup and
change the water entirely about once a month. She does fine!
A 1g would be ok but would need changing more often, say once a
week - but it's not difficult and you can carry the tank to the
sink.

But I do like NetMax's suggestion.

Or you could keep an apple snail in it?


--
Flash Wilson - Web Design & Mastery - 0870 401 4061 / 07939 579090
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Work: www.wdam.co.uk Personal: www.gorge.org

[Gill Passman]

NetMax wrote:
> "Mellie101" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>
>>Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
>>started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
>>buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
>>that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
>>light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
>>tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
>>the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
>>the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
>>there will go into the big tank.
>>
>>My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
>>know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
>>thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
>>even work as a hospital tank.
>>
>>Anyway, just a thought
>>Thanks
>>Mellie
>
>
> Do you have access to a swamp? Lake, river or creek will do too, but
> swamps and slow creeks seem to be best. Take your child with you and
> collect a glass of water. Put it into the 1g bowl with a bit of
> vegetation and a few flakes of food every few days, and tell her to check
> every day for life. You should get a variety of bugs, beetles, daphnia,
> nemotodia etc showing up. To a child, watching a variety of bugs going
> through their stages could possibly be much more interesting than a
> single fish. Dragonfly larvae can be particularly interesting to watch.
>
> ps: put a screen over the bowl, to hold the evolving flyers ;~).

I remember getting so much pleasure from getting tadpole spawn in a
small tank...you could watch each stage of development and it was a
great education....a 1 gall tank would be perfect for this - just watch
out when they start to hop - lol

I remember as a child my brother getting hold of some newts...we had
them in an uncovered "washing up bowl" with rocks, water and
plants...worked out great til they had spawned...I still remember my
brother's screams when the newts decided to find dry land in his bedroom
(I was probably less than 6 at the time) - lol

Great idea, great education...just do a little research so that you
don't have amphibians crawling across the bed <g>

Gill

[IDzine01]

>I have a betta in a 2.5g tank - I just put her in a coffee cup and
>change the water entirely about once a month.

Once a month is very infrequent for such a small tank. Do you test your
water parameters regularly? I wonder what the ammonia levels are. I ask
only because even my under stocked 30 gallon needs weekly maintenance
and cleaning to keep the parameters in the safe range. I used to keep
bettas in 2.5 gallon tanks myself and I found that 1 - 2 full water
changes per week would keep things ok.

[Flash Wilson]

On 6 Feb 2006 08:48:58 -0800, IDzine01 > wrote:
>>I have a betta in a 2.5g tank - I just put her in a coffee cup and
>>change the water entirely about once a month.
>
>Once a month is very infrequent for such a small tank. Do you test your
>water parameters regularly?

Not in the last few years but I did originally until I was happy all
was well. It has a thick gravel layer in the bottom, along with
plants (for the snail) and a light feeding schedule - never had a problem.

--
Flash Wilson - Web Design & Mastery - 0870 401 4061 / 07939 579090
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Work: www.wdam.co.uk Personal: www.gorge.org

[Tynk]

Mellie101 wrote:
> Hello, my daughter recieved a goldfish in a one gallon tank. This
> started my interest and we have just moved him into a 55g with 2
> buddies and another to go in when the ammonia spike drops and I can see
> that he is healthy. The 1 gallon tank had a little 15 watt bulb for
> light. It recently blew and I bought another. I've noticed that the
> tank water is getting quite hot. Somewhere between 78-81. I'm keeping
> the light off during the day and only putting it on for a hour or so in
> the evening when the room temp drops. Any day know the black moor in
> there will go into the big tank.
>
> My question is, could I keep some very small tropical fish in it. I
> know it is very small but thought maybe 6 neon tetra's? Hate the
> thought of a tank sitting empty. Once the gold fish get big it wont'
> even work as a hospital tank.
>
> Anyway, just a thought
> Thanks
> Mellie

After reading all the posts in this thread and suggestions for your 1g
tank, here's my $.02
Your best bet would be to use it as a quarantine tank or to house a
single male or female Betta (that's pronounced Bet-uh, not bait-uh).
The only drawback with housing a Betta would be the heat factor.
The light heats it up ok, but what about when the lights off. The temp
will drop. This causes stress to a fish, and so on.
Now there are Killifish to consider (if your local shop carries them or
can order them).
They'd do fine, but don't live very long and are harder to find.
If you are dead set on setting up the 1g, go with either Killies or a
Betta.
African Dwarf Frogs need much more space than a 1g tank. Not because of
their size...because of the amount of waste they put out.
I did keep up to 3 small ones (small for dwarfs that is) in my 3g
Eclipse tank (it has 2 types of filtration), but I really had to keep
up with extra water changes. Being that these guys need to be kept with
some of their own (don't keep just one of these guys!), a 1g just
wouldn't do.
I did read some other non fish options as well that were good...such as
NetMax's pond water experiment...that's quite interesting actually, and
Shrimps.
An Apple snail, as was suggested would get too large for a 1g tank,
hehe.
They grow as large as a good sized apple.
A *Mystery* snail would be fine as they stay smaller.