Underwater ecosystem in small fish tank?

Question

I would like to start up an "underwater ecosystem". It would probably be about a 2.5 gallon square tank like this http://lh5.google.com/amyyangphoto/R3xyrC-g6FI/AAAAAAAAAbc/GAdjh2DXjrg/s400/IMG_4393.JPG

What would you suggest for an "underwater ecosystem"? I was thinking an apple snail and 4-5 ghost shrimp. I would like real plants but the tank wouldn't have a light only a heater (is this needed?) and no filter (is a filter needed with shrimp?) so could I still do live plants if the tank is sitting on a windowsill that gets minnimun light? Also what should I feed the snail and shrimp? Could I have a few really small fish, such as 2-3 minnows of some type? Thanks I've never done this before but I'd really like to! What could I use as a tank hood since the tank won't come with one. Thanks

Answer 1

underwaqter ecosystem? lol, its a fish tank. If you have any fish you really do need a small filter!! You can buy a pack of disposable filters and an air pump for about 5$ each, really cheap and they keep the tank clean. You need to cycle the tank b4 you get fish. Shrimp and snails are especialy sensitive to ammonis. Once your tank is cycled, pick. Tropical or coldwater? Minnows are coldwater, shrimp and mystery snails are tropical. if you go for coldwater, 3 minnows, a mystery snail(They can live in almost any temp) and thats about it. If you go for tropil, your options are way opened! The best choices are

Oto cats

African dwarf frogs

Male OR female betta

Shrimp, ghost cherry...there are many choices of small shrimp.

Those are about all your options for a small tank.

So if you want a tropical tank, here are your optins

option #1

A betta, male or female, not both.

2 african dwarf frogs. 2 b/c they are very social.

1 mystery snail

Option #2

3 oto cats

A female or male betta

2 shrimp

There are other choices, but these 2 combine all the species I mentioned. Good luck and e-mail me at [e-mail] with any more questions.

Edit:Plants, Anubias or any java mosses or ferns would work, if you put it in the window, be prepared to fight a lot of algae!