Reddit reviews Penn-Plax Water-World Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit - Perfect for Shrimp & Small Fish - 2.7 Gallon Tank
We found 5 Reddit comments about Penn-Plax Water-World Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit - Perfect for Shrimp & Small Fish - 2.7 Gallon Tank. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
CONVENIENT FOR SMALL SPACES: The VERTEX Desktop Aquarium Kit is perfect for small or unused spaces: a desk, dresser, or even on top of the old file cabinet that hasn’t been touched in years.UNIQUE DESIGN: The frameless tank is made from finely constructed bent glass that’s 1/8” thick. At the front, it features 2 curved corners, allowing for unobstructed views from all angles.GREAT FOR BEGINNERS: The VERTEX Desktop 2. 7 Gallon Tank Kit makes for a simple and easy introduction to aquarium ownership. Ideal for adults and children alike.CONTAINS ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU NEED: This kit includes 2. 7 Gallon Glass Tank, Hinged Lid, Cascade 20 Power Hang-On Filter (20 GPH), Therma-Temp Full-Range Digital Thermometer, and Quick-Net Fish Net.MEASUREMENTS: 2. 7 Gallon Tank 10” (H) x 9” (W) x 7. 75” (D). All other components can fit comfortably inside the tank. Great for shrimp and small fish!
Well, 1st thing...
You dont want to mix the red and blue neo shrimp in the same tank. They will crossbreed and the offspring will be ugly wild type shrimp.
If you want multiple colors, consider going with a neocaridina and a caridina. Either the reds or dream blues and tangerine tigers or Orange eye blue tigers (OEBTs are kinda pricey) would work, and have compatible water params. You could also keep crystal red or black shrimp, or any of the tawian bees with the neos, but theyre more expensive and much more delicate, so not great for a brand new shrimpkeeper. I would also warn against that specific seller. I have seen a LOT of complaints about them... from shipping/communication problems to sick and poor quality shrimp.
Check aquabid, ebay, or the marketplace on shrimp specific forums like shrimpspot.com
For the price range of the tank you listed... I would go with this . It comes with a much better filter and is a nicer looking tank (nice rounded glass corners, rimless tank). It's also made of actual glass, so will not scratch as easily. Despite the description, it does NOT come with a light, however. Just as a heads-up.
You listed a sand substrate, and you listed dwarf baby tears. Sand has no real nutritional value, so plants won't grow well in sand. You will need to supplement with root tabs or switch to a more nutritious substrate. Dwarf baby tears are in general a really demanding plant. Youre going to need high light for them. Since it's such a small tank, a 6500k-7000k compact fluorescent clip light should do it, but you will likely also need Co2, or at least Excel to keep it alive. Monte carlo or glossostigma would both be a LITTLE easier.
For shrimp, you'll need to get a prefilter guard for your intake so you dont suck up babies.
You'll also want to get yourself a GH/KH test kit, as well as a standard water testing kit (API master test kit is my suggestion). If your PH is high, you may want to go with a shrimp specific PH buffering substrate. With Neos, you may be just fine without it, they are not nearly as picky about params as cards. If your KH/GH is too high you may need to use some distilled or RO water mixed with your tap, or your shrimp will be unable to successfully molt, killing them.
You want the tank to be fully cycled and well established before you add shrimp.
If you DO want dwarf baby tears, and do not plan to go with a fancy high tech Co2 setup, I would STRONGLY recommend dry-starting the tank. It's the only way youre really gonna get a nice carpet without Co2.
I have a 3 gallon Walstad tank in my office with a couple of live plants (Anubias and a random grass-type), a filter, and a heater. Started with 5 Cherry Shrimp, but after a few bouts of eggs, am currently around 25-30 with more on the way. The setup is similar enough where I can share my own experiences.
From my experience, you need 3 constants for Cherry Shrimp to be happy: temperature, food, and water quality.
Crystal Red Shrimp are too delicate to work in a 1 gallon tank and Amano Shrimp get too big. Cherry Shrimp and various snails should be fine as long as you have enough surfaces and organic matter, and let the tank mature for a few weeks first. They'll also readily breed where Crystal Red Shrimp and Amano Shrimp won't.
I am a big fan of this tank that I have on my desk. The filter runs very quiet and the tank looks really nice for the price. I currently use this solely as my shrimp tank. Granted you need to get your own light, but the lights included with most tanks aren't sufficient anyway. The tank fits under my regular desk lamp with fluorescent bulb.
Its the Tetra cube 1.5g.
I'm thinking about replacing it at some point with this because it's got some scratches on the front.
I've also got one of these. The curved glass is amazing looking. The filter is OK, light is Meh. But the price is worth the tank alone.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0069RPRHO/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1522757024&sr=8-14&keywords=Fluval+spec
Edit: guess these don't come with lights anymore. Which is good. Lol