EcoPico - Freshwater Tank

Let me begin with... WOW! This is a cool little tank!

My EcoPico arrived a few days back and I couldn't wait to take a peek at it, in fact, I was so like a kid on Christmas that I forgot to take pictures of all the little goodies inside the box. Good thing is, Haloist has done a fantastic job of doing so over on the saltwater side, here's the link: http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/ecopico-saltwater-build-108540.html that's going to be one awesome little setup!

Well, at first I was just itching to get this baby cycling and being able to look at all my little frags as they begin to grow, but I realized quickly that simply was not going to happen. My eight year old daughter looked at me with those huge doe eyes and exclaimed her excitement for the new home I had for her betta "Blue Moon". Me being the dad I am, quickly shelved the idea for the frag tank and promised that, when I had a bit of time, we would begin on a freshwater tank and new home for Blue Moon.

That time finally came today and we headed out to our LFS, you should have seen the look on the owners face as I told him we were there to inquire about freshwater tanks and pick up the needed supplies to get the cycle underway. We grabbed some sand and a bit of water conditioner and quickly scurried back home.

I've just finished adding the sand and the water, now the cycle begins. Here's a shot of the aquarium set up as it is right now:


For those of you with freshwater tank, do you have any ideas as to what else to put in there with the betta. A friend suggested a few ghost shrimp and perhaps a few neon tetras... I'm scared as to how the betta will react to them and also a bit apprehensive as to whether or not that may even be a supremely heavy bioload...

Cheers and thank you again to everyone at 3reef and EcoPico!

 

I don't have an answer for your betta question but I am bumping for the early morning freshwater crowd. Congrats Kllrfsh!

 

Thanks Matt!

I'm really hoping someone out there has a bit of information on this. I've only had saltwater tanks my entire life, so it's a bit of a difference. My friend swears it's easier, but I think he may just be in the groove himself.

 

FW Shrimp and Neon Tetra have a pretty light bio load.

Plants would probably grow well under the LED. Amazon Swords are a good starter plant.

 

In a 5g I think a betta and some shrimp is your limit, most other fish require more space and swimming room to thrive. One other thing I can think of though would be Endler's Livebearers, which are really cool IMO

 

i agree with that ...

 

You could put a few Rasbora heteromorpha or Galaxy Rasboras in the tank. I would stay away from Amazon Swords Because the tend to grow very large. Look into Rotala and Ambulia, Java Fern and Java Moss. This would also give you a nice biotope like tank.

 

This is what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the head's up on the Endler's Livebearers too, I'll have to do a bit of research on them.

Another good group of suggestions. I just so happen to have a friend that is all about giving me some of his java ferns, so that is most likely one of the plants to go in first! I'll definitely take a look at the other plants as well.

It seems I have a bit of researching to do... Endler's Livebearers, Rasbora heteromorpha, and Galaxy Rashorsas.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, your help is certainly welcomed on this one, I'm all about making it as interesting as possible without putting too big of a strain on the fish.

Cheers and thank you all so much!

 

i would lose the sand as itll make the water hard, most fresh water fish like soft water, especially the betta, and if you get shrimps, they will get their calcium from the food

because of your filter, your betta will only stay in one spot which is above the filter cuz it has the least current

 

See, that's the saltwater guy in me... Sand, sand, beautiful sand. Thanks for the tip!

Also thanks for pointing out where ol' Blue Moon will most likely hang out too, that will certainly help in the equation.

I'm learning all the time in this thread, thanks everyone!