Question about a 10-gallon tank

[JUVE435]

I would like to move my male betta in to a 10-gallon tank. I will be using a heater, as well as, a power filter. I would like to know what power setting should I use on my filter? and how often I would have to change the water using a filter? my next question is what other fish can I place in with my betta? thanks ;D

[Jess]

Juve,
i just set up a ten gallon (i swear it's only an 8 LOL) for one of my male betta's i moved him in today. i have a heater in it set to about 80 degrees, and for the filter, i just cheated. I used an undergravel filter that came out of a 1 gallon aquarium to keep it circulated, yet isn't really powerful enough to upset him. I also slowed the current down by ancoring floating lilys (fake) where the current flows. Truth be told i wouldn't even have put in the filter, but my heater instructions recomended it to circulate the heat.

as for fish mates, i have been researching this and I found a list on Bettas r us.

www.bettasrus.com/faq/tankmates.htm from there i went to petfish.net to individually research each fish

there is a warning to always have alternate plans just in case, also reaserch the fish to see ifyou would like it:
mollies, cherry barbs, clown loach, zebra danios, cory cats*, cardinal.neon tetra(sometimes these become betta snack), guppy (also sometime snack), bala sharks (to big for me), platies, sword tails, plecostomus, ghost shrimp*, and my favorite that i am personally contemplating is African dwarf frogs *
*the writers absolute favorites.
hope this helps and i will be reading for tips on my own 10 gallon tank.
jess

[ACKislander]

Bettas usually don't care for strong currents so turning it down a little lower is great if you have that option. My filter doesn't allow for that so I just put in a lot of plants to calm the current. It works fine.

How often you change it depends on what other fish you keep there. Most filters give you a manufacturers suggestion, but I'd swear they're just trying to sell more filter media. (They say once a month) With just one betta, you can go around 4 or so months before changing it but it depends on what else you keep in the tank. If there are lots of live plants, it'll be more often. If you keep other fish, you'll have to change it more frequently too. Sometimes you're filter flow will slow a bit, and you'll know it's time for a change.

I read the bettasrus list and have to wonder a bit. Some of the things on the list are common No-Nos in a betta tank. For instance, it's pretty standard that you don't put bettas in with mollies or guppies because they tend to be aggressive toward other fish with flowy fins. (for some reason a guppy looks like another betta to them)

Also barbs and tetras are notorious fin nippers. Although, neon tetras are supposed to be ok. I've been told NO ZEBRA DANIOS, but I'm currently trying them in a 10 gal wit my docile male, and haven't had any problems yet. (only been there two weeks)

Whatever you choose, make sure you research the species first so that they have enough room in their ten gallon. Obviously, community fish need to be in groups of 3 or more, but in a 10 gal tank the bio load can fill fast. I also don't count on the LFS employees to know anything about fish. Sad I know, but they seem to give you fish that grow to 4 inches and say, "sure 5 will do fine in a 10 gal". Yikes! It sucks to have to return fish.

In my own experience, I've had good luck with Otos (fragile fish, not for the novice), ghost shrimp, snails and even the zebra danios are going ok. Be prepared though, some bettas are too aggressive for tank mates and you may either have to return your fish or set up another tank if they can't just get along.

Good luck!

[spiff]

A lot of the fish they named aren't even good for 10 gallons...IE zebra danios. They are very active fish. I had some in one of my divided 10 gallons, and when I moved them to a 55 gal they were like completely new fish...extremely active, where before they just kind swam around slowly.