Help me decide on 3 Gallon (Pico) tank? Advice?

My daughter (8) and son (4) have been asking for their own tank for their bedroom that they currently share. They see how the tank I have in living room looks but now that want something in their bedroom for that they can call theirs. My wife & myself rather put a tank in the room then a TV in there so I'm actually thinking of doing one for them in room and looking at something in the 3 gallon range.

If I was to put a tank, I wouldn't mind doing it SW and maybe add 1 or 2 (small) fishes and throw in a live rock with sand/gravel/SW from my established tank. I usually do a water change either 1x a week or every 2 weeks so I can do a water change on the small tank once a week.

My daughter is begging me for mini seahorses tank for years, but I'm afraid to go there and clueless to what I can do? I know she would be the happiest girl alive if I did seahorses for their tank.

I'm letting the kids decide:
A. Freshwater with plants and some small fish?
B. Freshwater with plants and Betta fish?
3. Saltwater tank with maybe hermit crab, 1 or 2 SMALL fishes & coral (MAYBE?)

I told my wife I know what to do if it's saltwater and if it's freshwater I would have to learn as I go and do research. I grew up with freshwater tanks but that was over 35 years ago!

I'm looking into 2 different tanks and maybe somebody has a different brand 2-3 gallon tank?

1. The one I'm leaning towards is the JBJ Picotope for under $60 @ Marine Depot:

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_3gal...lons-JBJ_Lighting-JB7151-FIAQNCCKTLUT-vi.html

I know with this tank I would eventually have to upgrade the lights & filter system at some point down the line. I've read great reviews about this tank and love that it looks big for its size. I've seen video and it looks amazing along with the stuff have posted on here on this site. The only thing I don't like is that you can see the filter, lighting, etc in back and glass is see through in rear.

2. The other option is the Fluval Spec III from Petsmart (online) for under $60:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=2140331

I like the filter system that this tank has all hidden in the back so it's all out of site. I saw great reviews about this one and what I read, you wouldn't need to upgrade filter system but lights can be upgraded. I love how you have the sponge with compartments to place media bags. The bad thing I read is when you remove the sponge that is in rear with media bags, when you put it back in rear of tank it pushes the crud that was on the sides in compartment back to the tank through a small hole.

I believe my kids will go with the SW tank but I just wanted everybody's opinion if it would be ok for maybe 1 or 2 max in small fishes? What can I do upgrade or if anybody has any of these tanks or a different one that they can chime in?

 

I can't speak to 3 gallons, but I can share my experience with an 8 gallon. It needs very little maintenance but at the moment there is only one fish (about 1.5"), and a couple corals. Anything smaller,or more bioload and algae would be a problem. It doesn't have a skimmer or sump. As for seahorses, feeding would be a problem. Even if they eat frozen food, they'd need to be fed often which would foul the water quickly.

 

Billme,
Thank you for the input... I told the kids if we do get a small tank they would only have 1 fish and probably a hermit crab. I'm thinking in time doing upgrades and add skimmer, lights and probably another filter but I would have to see how things go.

As for seahorses you just persuaded me NOT to do them!

I think I would have enough work with just 1 fish and the tank I don't need added work trying to maintain seahorses.

I still haven't decided on what pico tank? I would LOVE something in the 5-6 gallon range, but if we left on vacation I would like something small to move closer to my main tank so when my neighbor comes feed them he doesn't have to go all over the house feeding our pets. I figure this is small enough to carry and the 5-6 gallon would be harder to move.

This is what the kid want:

1. The one I'm leaning towards is the JBJ Picotope for under $60 @ Marine Depot:

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_3gal...lons-JBJ_Lighting-JB7151-FIAQNCCKTLUT-vi.html

I know with this tank I would eventually have to upgrade the lights & filter system at some point down the line. I've read great reviews about this tank and love that it looks big for its size. I've seen video and it looks amazing along with the stuff have posted on here on this site. The only thing I don't like is that you can see the filter, lighting, etc in back and glass is see through in rear.

 

Seahorse aquariums are difficult to keep. I knew someone who bred them and as much as they are amazing creatures, he advised me on the difficulty of keeping them. Everything from filteration, feeding, and tank mates is much more in depth and limiting with sea horses.

You can do sw pico but you are limited on stocking it. A 5-8 gallon would be easier to maintain than a 3 gallon. You could have a few hermits, snails, and a goby.

As for equipment, under 20g its not necessary to have a skimmer, good filteration and weekly water changes are very important.

If you plan on keeping corals and depending on the corals you choose, depends on the lighting you will need.