As the title says?

What i would like to do is set up a wee 3-4ltr tank on my desk here at work, i know i can get battery lights, but a small battery filter?

Why? Running it off batteries would cost MUCH more than off mains power.

You'd have to be replacing the batteries every couple days at best, likely more often than that. Say there was one running off like 6 rechargable AA NIMHs and say it only used 2 watts then the batteries would last a max of about 8 hours. (That's current draw of .3 amps and capacity of 2.5 amp hours)

Do you want to replace batteries 4 times per day?

There are C and D cell nimhs, which would give you like a day and a half with similar setup, but why when you could just have a little cable and not have to replace anything?

i just didnt think work would be so crazy about me using their power..

but thats fine, ill just flag the idea.

If it was only 4L total gross volume, and you only had a Betta in it, then why have a filter at all. You could go all natural. Just replace 75% water change every day. Google natural aquariums, they are a filterless system.

As for lighting, you could just use a desk lamp.

You can get battery power air pumps, in a small tank with low bio load an air powered filter would be more than you would need.

However IMO you don't need a light, if your office has enough light for you to work then it will have enough for a simple fishtank, those tiny filters that come with small fish tanks use 4-5watts about the same power your computer uses in two minutes, since your work is probably renting the office space and paying my the square meter the space it takes up on your desk probably costs more than the power it will use. I'd tell them to get a life it it came up.

A little tank like that - daily water changes and no filter. Agree also that light not needed unless they keep you in the dark.

Although you would need a light if you wanted to grow plants - in which case a desk lamp would still do the job - especially if you put one of those compact fluoro power-saving bulbs in it. And in that case it would use only a tiny bit of power a day.

The most expensive thing out of all of this will probably be the 10 minutes every hour you're going to spend gazing into the tank when you should be working! :lol:

Only 10 minutes per hour?

Do you want to replace batteries 4 times per day?

Its 3 times per day.

Its 3 times per day.

Except the voltage would have sagged below a usable level before the full battery capacity was used up, making it need 4 replacements a day.

(That's internet speak for quit correcting my stupid math errors.) :lol:

what about heating or would it be mountain minnows? cool zone in northlands has really cool led lites tht would clip on th back of a small tank u could also go undergravel with a really tiny 12v powerhead i have 1 that may suit it then use a transformer like u are using for your led lites on ur community its a really good idea tho

If your employers are that tight I'd be looking for a new job :evil:

You could go with the line that it helps control stress, according to the labour dept an employer must assist you in minimising stress, if you flip out its their fault :roll:

Oh and FYI I'm bringing my first aquarium in when I get back from my ozzie holiday, its a 60l

My goal is a 6 footer within a year 8) I have the perfect wall for it and the managing director will be able to see it from his office too.

I wont be asking, they will just appear over the weekend (the fairys did it boss....but isnt it perty....can I keep it, huh? huh? can I huh?