Hello if you still have this deal going on this is what i have from my aquarium[That my grandson hit with a bat] 1. colored flat rock med sizes good amount 2. Heater for 5-15 10-20 20-40 size tank 3.filter hangs on the outside of tank 4.draning tube to take water out of tank 5. a 20" inch top with lights 6.a round glass bowl good for 1 are 2 fish Will let me know if you are interested Thank you Mildred

Hello Dawn, Thank you for sharing and I am sorry to read that you have had problems with planting your aquariums. One of the easiest plants I have had is Anacharis. It truly is prolific. I have java fern and java moss in my fish tanks as well. I do not use any fertilizers on my plants and I have gravel substrates in both of my tanks. I did some searching and found a couple of links that might be helpful for you. The link attached is a picture of Anacharis. The website itself is for a supplier in your state. Steve's Aquatic Plant Resource Page is comprehensive and interesting. Here is the link for you to copy and paste: http://home.infinet.net/teban/ I hope that you enjoy the links and I hope that the pothos cuttings work out for you. Just try and be patient as they take a long time to root. But even just floating the leaves provides a pretty effect and something interesting for the fish to play with. *smiles* Please keep me posted. Always, Denise Here is a link that might be useful: Anacharis

While I agree that having a few fish may be more entertaining then just the one and that barbs are cool fish that's where it ends. The barb's Anna described get to be 3" - 4" as adults, they also tend to get a bit more aggressive as they age. They may not be aggressive towards each other but may (or may not) single out the golden barb (if thats what the yellow one is). When setting up a tank for the first time, especially when a child is involved, you want the best chance possible for success. The thing is since barbs are very active indeed, they need alot more side to side space then a smaller Eclipse can give. The smallest tank I have seen suggested for them is a 20L (20 gallon long, about 30" side to side). You have to think of the adult size when you are planning fish for your tank space. Again, I am not saying this can not work at all and it won't work. I am just saying that it is not "ideal" and for a first tank you should stack the chips on your side. The tank will take 3 weeks to 6 weeks + (average 4 weeks)to cycle. The best thing to do is research the nitrogen cycle in aquariums so you know whats in store. Since you have time before Christmas to get the tank and do a fishless cycle I would advise that. The worse thing for a child is to be presented with a tank and have to wait for a month before you can go and get fish. You could do the fishless cycle in the basement or garage hidden from the child, and just wrap the tank box for opening. Then durring Christmas week go to the pet shop and let your child pick out the fish. IME I have found bettas to be very active when people are arround to watch. Cold water will make the fish lathargic and suseptible to disease and parasites, the most common with cold water is ICH. It is true that "if" the room is maintained at a set Temp. you don't need a heater. But all it takes is the door to be left open by mistake and the Temp. will drop. The heater for the betta is a important and wise purchase. For only $20 it will seem worth it if you loose the fish after you have gotten attached to it. Below is a link about the Nitrogen Cycle. It also has links with in the article for fishless cycle directions. This may seem more then you expected just to have a couple of fish, but you will be happier in the end. It also makes the experience more rewarding to know what you are doing. Keeping interest is important because the novelty of a fish tank wears off after a while. The other aspects of the hobby keep the interest up and is a learning experience in itself. It's a hell of allot better then watching crap "reality" TV (exception is The Girls Next Door). Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ

I have had bad luck with mollies being fin nippers. Neon tetras and cories will survive better in a seasoned tank. The betta and guppies would be the easiest for a new tank. I wonder why bettas and guppies would be bad together? Maybe the betta would see the fantails as one of their own and try to fight with the guppies.