Ok, firstly I would like to apologise for repeating a post as I have read similar posts that have been answered but I want to be 100% sure before I move to the next step!

I have just bought a small tank (only 3 gallons by my calculations) and have yet to do anything with it. Before I start cycling, I wanted to make sure that the tank is too small for anything as this is what it seems from reading on here and other sites!

Bit annoyed as it has been sold with the capacity for 2 fish (errrm which fish it doesnt say). I really want happy, healthy fish and while I am happy to have just 1 or 2 fish (tropical or cold water) I cant see any advice that seems to suggest this is doable.

Someone mentioned 2 guppies or two betta's...is this doable in a tank of this size?

I probably have room for something a little bigger but not much bigger really.

Advice needed and welcomed!

Many thanks

Carrie

Hi and welcome,

Very sorry, but with only 3 gallons there's no way any fish can be kept in the tank.

Male Bettas can only be kept singly anyway (and can't be kept with females), with the minimum recommended tank size being around 10 gallons (45 litres). Guppies and other similarly sized fish preferably need to be kept in groups of six or more and need at least 60 litres (13 gallons).

You'd also find cycling a nightmare in such a small tank as it will be so hard to avoid overdosing ammonia in such a low volume of water.

Thank you, I thought as much. Why they are sold as 'aquariums' at that size is beyond me but I had no idea really when I bought it!

I will take it back and have a look for something around the 50ltr mark.

Thanks again

Also worth remembering that you have to knock off 10% for decor and gravel, so even a 50 litre, would actually come in at 45 litres.

That will house one male Betta but only if you have the right water conditions as they need softer more acidic water. For a small shoal (6) of fish who grow to about 5cm, you would be needed 60 litres min really but I always think a beginner tank of say around 90-120 litres gives far better scope and allows you to have a couple of shoals to start with.

I know that may sound huge to you, but keeping water safe and healthy (do that and the fish tend to look after themselves) is far easier the larger the volume of water. Toxic spikes have less affect due to dilution etc having to upsize tanks as your interest grows works out very costly over time. A good rule of thumb is to buy the biggest tank you can fit in and afford.

I keep a 240 ltr tank a 180 ltr tank and a 35 ltr tank,

The 35ltr tank takes more of my time than the other two put together, that includes water changes,
Plus you will want a bigger tank at some point, just remember it's not just about length it's about depth n height, you can make up ltr that way, rare aquatics have 18x18x18 tanks for £35 at the mo