Okay, so I know you can’t keep bettas in small aquariums like pet stores want you to believe, or even most fish. I know you could keep most freshwater shrimp in small aquariums, and snails. What else could I keep in small aquariums? I kinda wanna make a really cool-looking nano aquarium and wanna know what I could keep in it.

"Small" means different things to different people. I’m going to assume you mean very small tanks, which by my definition is any tank under about four gallons capacity.

Aquatic insects are really cool, and largely undiscovered by the pet trade, animals that you can keep in a "nano" aquarium.

Look into collecting some of them from a local pond or creek and keeping them in your desk-top aquarium. Talk to some naturalists in your area to find out what’s there.

As far as freshwater shrimp go, there are large species, medium-sized species, and small species. The small ones are the ones that are appropriate for very small tanks. The same goes for snails.

Freshwater mussels are another idea, although some people might not find them so interesting. In general, though, the more you learn about an animal, the more interesting it is.

These snails are great to watch and they have eaten all the snails that were taking over my aquariums so I don’t want to harm them. Anyone know the answer on this one?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_4/clea.html

Says here that they will be ok.
I never heard of them before – thanks, now I want one

I want to work in an aquarium and maybe become an aquarist or aquarium curator or something like that. Where are the best aquariums in the US located. Preferably on the coast but it’s ok if it’s not. The town should be a good area, too.

Boston, MA pretty cool 3 floor aquarium there Boston aquarium search it up.

My wife is crazy about aquariums (especially saltwater) and I’d like to take her out to dinner at a nice restaurant where we can have a nice dinner while we enjoy looking at some aquarium fish…

Thanks!

THe only place I know of………don’t laugh………is in Bolingbrook. It is a restaurant (don’t know the name) in Bass Pro Shop. I know, I know. Sounds stupid. Trust me, it’s a NICE place!!! We went for our annivesry last year. Excellent food and they have million $ aquariums on the wall. Check it out!

Is there an aquarium stand that can hold 2 55 gallon aquariums at the same time? I’m moving and will have less space than I currently have and am wondering if there are any aquarium stands out there that can hold 2 aquariums for my reptiles. They won’t be filled with water so the weight will be less. I remember seeing a stand like this awhile back but haven’t been able to find one like it since.
A stand that can hold them one top, one bottom

you could get someone to build that for you … i had a stand built to hold a 30 gallon, a 15 gallon, and two 2.5 gallons, all stacked … it was 150 dollars, custom made, and even painted to match my apartment … you can look on local fish forums or even advertise on craigslist for someone to build … a regular particleboard stand for my 30 gallon was 100 dollars at my local fish store and the one i had built is very sturdy and not particleboard and looks great …

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/hoolagal/30x13stand_04.jpg

Are there any zoos or aquariums in the United States that will let you hold or touch a penguin? I love penguins and think it’d be an exciting experience! Any info or links would be great!

Holding/touching a penguin isn’t exactly a piece of cake…as the other answerers said they have nasty beaks and strong flippers which are primarily used to propel them through the water…and I worked with the littlest of the buggers – the little blue penguin or fairy penguin of Australia.
Most birds can be conditioned to be used to humans, like parrots but penguins have never been "domesticated" as such and are basically little wild animals and they CAN and WILL use their natural instincts (usually this involves running away)

Also, from the ones I worked with they are sensitve creatures and aren’t like a dog that can just be patted all day long. The only way you might get up close is if you volunteer or get a job at a marine park =]

Purchased a 55 gallon aquarium which is now sagging in the center. There are two ten gallon aquariums sitting on the stand about 3 inches apart. Would the stand sag the same way if a 55 gallon aquarium was on top?

If the stand is designed for a 55g it shouldn’t sag at all. Putting 2 10g probably would make it sag in the middle if it lacks support there. I have a low bookcase in my bedroom. About 6′ long and 14"-16" wide, even made of solid oak it bows in the middle because of offset shelves.

I am looking for a reputable online site that you can purchase aquariums from. I’ve looked at a few sites and they are extremely over priced. Petsmart doesn’t have quite what I’m looking for and I need a place that has a wide selection. Thanks.

Craigslist and Petsmart.com would be at the top of my list.

I’ve heard that using aquariums aren’t good for hamsters because of poor air quality and that it damages their lungs. Is that true? Should I just use a wire cage?

Aquariums are bad for ALL rodents. The poor air circulation will damage their lungs because they are constantly breathing in the ammonia from their urine. Also if you have pine or cedar shavings in the cage they are breathing in the toxic phenols released by soft wood when it comes into contact with the ammonia in urine.

A wire cage is a better option because of the better air flow. Just be careful when you choose the cage to cover or replace the wire shelves and ramps with solid ones so that you are not risking your hammie breaking a leg or in some unfortunate cases death.

What kind of extension cord should I use with
aquariums. I read on one of my extension cords that it is not recommended for aquariums. Sojust wondering what kind of cord is safe to use.

The official answer is that you should use one rated for outdoor use and with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). That’s the safest electrical connector.

What most of us really do, though, is use any kind of plugs, power strips, outlet adapters, etc., that we can find and either scavenge or buy cheaply. That’s just how most of us fishheads are.