Why small tanks aren't good.

[Avalon]

Yep, I know. I'm going to take some serious heat for this. However, I'm in the kitchen, and I can handle it. Let's keep it positive nevertheless!

If you have a knack for and enjoy micromanagement, you can go now, as this post does not pertain to you. If you happen to be a procrastinator (aka, "lazy"), like me, read on!

So you want some fish & stuff. That's great. Before you run off to Wal-Mart and purchase that $9 10g, do keep reading before you grab your keys. If you are just beginning your fishkeeping endeavors, understand that there is a substantial amount you should know. You cannot simply add water and fish. This is not a minute rice recipe.

I know. Ten gallon aquariums are cheap, as well as the equipment for them. However, while they are the most popular aquarium, they are NOT the most usable. Let's just say your potential problems will be amplified 10 times!

I'm going to talk in fish only aquarium terms. I understand the fish folk. Every single one of them will require a fish or many fish in their aquarium. If not now, the question converts to "when." It will happen eventually. Simply put, there's just not a whole lot to do with a 10g. There's not a whole lot of enjoyment a 10g can bring you considering the possibilities. Aside from bettas, how many fish do you know that reside in 10g palaces? Contrary to belligerent belief, bigger is better.

Stay tuned for part two!

[Avalon]

Part Two

Small tank owners can be placed in many categories, but I'll focus on just a couple: the cheap and the new-to-fish folks. For the former, whoever told you that fishkeeping is cheap lied to you; it can be cheaper however, depending upon your desires. Doing it correctly usually requires a significant invesment of either time, effort, and/or money. For the latter, don't be misled by the old information that you should start with a small tank first. This, I believe, is part of the reason why so many either fail or relinquish their fish keeping altogether. Ever heard some folks say "Fish are stupid...they don't do anything..."?

Bear with me while I try to peice together the layers here. First of all, small tanks require less work, but are more focused in their demands. Large tanks, on the other hand, require more effort, but are much more broad in their demands. You have more wiggle room so to speak. In my years of fish keeping, I've found that large tanks by far are easier to keep. Planted tanks are an entirely new ballgame, but that's another article altogether.

Now for the second point or "layer" I started in the first paragraph, fish aren't stupid. Sometimes they simply aren't given the chance to display their true beauty. Fish don't talk or jump on your lap. You can't pet them. You can only observe them, and when given the opportunity, can be quite enjoyable! Right there is your reality show. Anyhow, for example, let's take the typical 10g and 6 tetras (neon, cardinal, rummy nose, etc). Someone said they like to school. Schools are cool. I've had this happen myself as well as many others: the fish go back & forth, back & forth....uhhh, they aren't "schooling" anymore. That's boring. Now place about 25 in a 4' or 5' tank and watch them go! They don't stop schooling, and their movements are far more enjoyable! With the right decor, they go in & out, around, back, forth, and simply watching a mass of little ones scurry along together in a tight formation is really neat! Accent them with some carefully selected mates, and you will have yourself a truly enjoyable centerpiece!

Ok, so you're not into tetras. You want some cichlids--great fish with great personalities. I began my cichlid endeavors by slapping a bunch of young ones in a big tank. I was told I needed a big tank. Pretty cool fish, yessir! It was only when I began reducing their numbers that the cichlids I decided to keep came "out of the closet!" No, they're not gay. They established their proper territories, which are pretty darn big, instead of living in an efficiency apartment, beating on their neighbor's walls. I finally saw their true personalities, which is far more enjoyable than seeing a whole bunch crammed in a tank. If I want to see that, I'll go to the LFS. Only one Central American cichid for a 75g tank? Yes, it's true! (there are exceptions)

I really don't want to get into prices and such. You'll get out of it what you put into it. Money is not the only issue. Actual work can negate pricing issues. Some folks like to buy, some folks like to build. Your creativity costs you nothing. Pricing is irrelevant.

I think this will conclude part two. In summary, this part was meant to convey the potential enjoyability of your aquarium. I've kept a lot of small aquariums; I had 4 10g's, a 1g, a 20g, and a 29g all running at the same time. Before I shut a few of them down, I got a 100g tank and it by far took precedence over all the others. The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts!

[Avalon]

So I was talking to a good friend of mine while back and he was telling me about a woman that had a 55g with 6 fully grown oscars (this woman's daughter was a classmate if you're wondering the relevance). I told him that couldn't be healthy and he replied, well, they were kind of crammed in there and were deformed. I asked him how so, and he said they had holes in their head. He continued to say they didn't move much. I wonder why...

Cichlids are tough fish and can handle quite a bit, but any living thing will choose to live rather than die. The problem here was a tank that was too small for what the owner wanted to do (or could do), and the oscars came down with a chronic problem called "Hole-in-the-head" disease. HITH is a water quality issue, usually a result of overcrowding. I've met her before (I actually dated her daughter), and she's a very nice woman, but was simply uneducated. At that time, there wasn't a lot of information available. Fast-forward to the present: there's really no reason why you shouldn't search for some info about any hobby you want to get into. The internet is free to all...try your public library!

Technically speaking, small tanks are bad because of the common trend of all first-time fishkeepers: exceeding a practical bioload due to either too many fish, too large of fish, or lack of proper biological filtration.

I'd like to relate fish with dogs for a moment since dogs are popular pets. Why is it that dog owners will usually either get a free puppy or pay $200+ for a pet, and lack the foresight to take into consideration of their new pet's expense? It needs a place to stay out of bad weather...so a doghouse will usually be in order. Then there's food, and a decent dog food isn't cheap, as dogs can eat a lot. Then you have to give it shots, maybe spayed or neutered, de-worming maybe, pound fees when it escapes your fence, leashes, poo-pick-up, carpet cleaning costs, cute doggie clothes and doggie bones, and not to mention the legal responsibility to the animal...you can't let it die or else you might end up in the slammer. However, when you ask someone to purchase an adequately sized home or filter for a fish, people freak out. "OMG, it's a $2 fish!" How about your free dog, eh?

The point is that fish are an animal like any other. They deserve as good a shot at life as any other pet. Housing them properly shouldn't become a burden. If it is, then the keeping of fish should be re-thought. Small aquariums have their place, but only to those who know what they are doing and have a good fundamental knowledge of fishkeeping. I was going to elaborate more about technical aspects, but I believe that my point has been made, and others have contributed this essential information. So I will leave you with a bit of the wisdom I've gained over the years...do consider a larger tank when making your first purchase. It may make all the difference to your enjoyment of the wonderful world of fishkeeping!

[Fantail_Lover]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Before you run off to Wal-Mart and purchase that $9 10g, do keep reading before you grab your keys

I'd like to know where you got a 10gallon tank for $9.00

-Xan

[JWright]

I've added this thread to the "Freshwater Stickies" thread. I looke forward to parts 2 and 3...

[BigDaddy420]

you can get a 10 gallon at pet supplies plus for 8$.

[Masta_Cheef]

Originally Posted by Fantail_Lover

I'd like to know where you got a 10gallon tank for $9.00

-Xan

They're $9.99 at PetCo.. =\

[Fantail_Lover]

Umm, $9.99 won't buy you a live rock at my petco. Where do you live?

-Xan

[cybersymes]

i eagerly await parts 2 + 3 ...

cheap complete tank in ireland here is 50 pounds for a 3.5[imp] gallon...
i've inherited one...and i can't wait to move the fish out...
there new home is cycling at the moment...40 galleon[imp]...
oh they'll love it...and some chumz too...
bigger has indeed got to be betta...
[never seen a betta...nice fish?] ...

[NoDeltaH2O]

I'd like to chime in and say that I agree with EVERYTHING Avalon said in all 3 posts at the top, even though posts 2 & 3 have not been written at the time I write this.

I have a 10 gallon tank, and the longer I am in the fishkeeping hobby, the more I realize that this tanks needs to be just a quarantine tank or something ancillary like that. Achieving chemical balance in it is VERY hard when compared to my 29, and even my 20. THe 20gallon is actually the MOST stable, but that is only because of my unique lighting and filtration combination which I will desperately try to imitate in any other "long" aquariums I ever own.

BIGGER IS BETTER.