a question about fish tanks?

Question

i wanna get my girlfriend a a little fish tank just because. but i can pick between two someone please give me some advise.

one tank comes with air pump, undergravel filter, and light hood

the other comes with Décor stones
Artificial plant
Mini filter (UL listed)
Food
Water conditioner

there both the same size an same price were i was stuck at is that on comes with decorations an one comes with a light i figured the light kept the water at a good temperature

Answer 1

Try looking at this from the point of view of your fish.

Decorations don't matter that much - some fish might like a place to hide, but be careful if the decorations are plastic and have pointed edges - these can poke and rip fins! If they're too large, it takes up swimming space in a small tank.

Gravel is good, it gives the "good" bacteria a place to grow in our tank.

We need water movement for oxygen. Both tanks provide this by an undergravel filter and a hang-on filter, but the hang-on will be easier to clean - you won't have to pull up the filter plate from under the gravel and take us out while you clean the tank. It will clean the tank better, too.

Lighting is okay - we like to know day and night and it lets you see us. If the light is a fluorescent, it won't put out much heat. If it's an incandescent and the tank is 5 gallons or less, it may be too much heat! And the tank will only have heat when the light is on - for tropical fish, we need a constant temperature of 76-80o - even at night. If we're a "coldwater species" (white clouds, guppies, danio, some barbs and loaches) as long as the room we're in keeps the water 65-70, we don't need a heater.

We will need food and conditioner.

Other than a light and heater, I'd say the second choice is a better set-up for your fish.

Answer 2

Depends on the kind of fish you want, goldfish do not need heaters or lights, etc & be sure the g/f would want fish, they are work & the smaller the tank, the more work they can be..if you know she wants fish...I would say as a gift - I would get a nice clear, good sized flower vase, one bulbed or round shape, with a narrow neck/opening... add a beta fish aka Siamese fighting fish - only ONE they are very colorful, pretty & hardy or one goldfish... then go buy a plant that likes water - Rinse & Remove all SOIL - philadendrons are very good & easy for this, easily found at Wal Marts, grocery stores , wherever plants are sold..then ya just do a partial water once every week or so - say the vase hold 2 cups of water, change out 1 cup..Be Well & Take Care :)

Answer 3

both have advantages but the main concern is the filter the underground does not clean as well. It pulls all the dirt into the rocks. So in the case of a power failure all that crap comes back up. Now the other tank doesnt have a hood which means the fish can and will flip out. If you are serious and want to set one up, build your own. Remember at least once a week to stir up the rocks to keep the tank clean also use the conditioner and have it set up for 24hrs before adding fish

Answer 4

The light really shouldnt do much to keep the water temp at any level - if the room is cold the tanks will be cold - and vice versa. It all depends on how bit the tank is if it is 2 gallons or less i wouldnt worry about a filter the only fish you can keep in it is a single betta and they dont need a filter.

Id probley get the one with the light cause it will be hard to see the fish in the dark. Just rember the fish will be alot of wok you will have to change the water weekly and in a tny tank just one betta nothing more.

Answer 5

I do not recommend this as a gift. Fish are more work than most people think and if you are not educated in proper fish tank care the fish will die for sure! In a small tank like that you will have to do water changes frequently and the fish will probably not be very happy. Get her jewelry or flowers. We love that stuff!

Answer 6

Don't waste your money on some dinky kit...If it is less than 10 gallons it is a death trap. Is it more a gift for yourself than her?
Do some reading first...
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/bag.pdf
http://www2.tetra.de/tet_internet_import/import_data/The%20fascination%20of%20aquariums_GB_2006_T062048.pdf
Here two good free books.