[GSAS-Member] Desktop Aquaria

[Shamus Young <machismo@eskimo.com>]

Hello All:

After Shango was kind enough to give me 4 small paradise fish, I now find
myself having decided to set up a tank at work.  I thought that one or two
might make good dithers for the yellow acara, but they thought
differently.  I gave two away, and the new owners like them very much.  I
still have one in a 2 gallon hex with a bunch of plants.  I swap its water
out with that from a mature tank once a week, and it seems fine, but
that's too small.
        The goal would be the 1 paradise fish and some dithers.
Maybe a flag fish or minnows, and a few cories that like the colder temps.
and low-light live plants like java or bolbus fern and of course, anubius.

        I've got a 20g in the basement, but I think that's a little too
big for work, and I'd still have to get a filter and substrate and at
least a new lightbulb. Seems like the perfect thing there would be the
eclipse 12.

I'm also trying to do it on the cheap, and have time to spare since the
paradise seems okay for a while in the tiny tank.

        So I've elected not to buy a new eclipse, and have been keeping my
eye on craigslist for people getting rid of a 10g setup or an eclipse
style desktop.

My questions:

1) anyone see anything wrong with the choice of tankmates or have thoughts
on possible tankmates?  I've bred paradise fish before, but that was done
in two single-species + ottos tanks, and not with an eye to a community
thing.  Seems that I'm limited by paradise preferring cooler water, but
any thoughts would be welcome.

2) Does the Eclipse 12 have separate electrical cords for the filter and
light?  With me not being there most weekends, I'd like to put the light
on a timer.

3) Does anyone have experience with the BiUbe?  Someone has a couple on
craigslist now for a good price.  the filtration isn't biowheel, but it's
got ceramic rings in there.  they recommend against putting in substrate,
but I suppose I can anchor the plants I want to driftwood.  I'm concerned
with the lighting.  lighting is a diode and a halogen bulb.  Would those
cover the spectrum for the plants I've mentioned? Also, if anyone knows if
they have a separate cord to put the light on a timer, that would be a
plus.

Thanks,

Shamus

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