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Post by duli on Aug 1, 2003 18:39:22 GMT -5
Hi all -
I've been wanting a betta for a long time, and finally decided last week that I'm going to get one. (Unfortunately, I have to wait until September - I'm at college now for work, but I go home in a week and then come back in Sept. for the semester...and I think it would be too hard on a fishy to have to go through the stress of travel and different water quality) Since I have so much time until I can actually get a betta, I want to use it to find out as much as possible about keeping them. I've looked on a ton of different websites, and decided that I want to keep my fish in a small tank (probably 2.5 - 5 gallons). I can't decide what sort of filter to use though - I know bettas don't like a lot of water movement, so I thought I might get one of the small Whisper filters. Everyone talks about cycling their tanks on this board though...could someone please explain it to me and how it relates to bettas? Does it have anything to do with using a Bio-Wheel filter?
Sorry this is such a newbie question, but I couldn't get the info I need just by reading online...
Julie
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Post by bettabrat on Aug 1, 2003 19:11:54 GMT -5
Hi. I am posting a link to another forum, so I hope nobody minds! I am into goldfish, and here is some really good info on cycling. Keep in mind when you read this that goldfish are really messy and make lots of ammonia (from poo). Bettas are a LOT less messy. So, I would advice trying to cycle before you get your betta, since you have time on your hands. I am new to bettas, and have one in a 2.5 gallon. I was considering cycling it, but the consensus seems to be that it really isn't necessary for that size tank (for a betta). I am in the process of cycling 2 10 gallons right now, and let me tell you that it is a bit frustrating. Here's the link and good luck! www.goldfishparadise.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31 |
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Post by duli on Aug 1, 2003 21:48:18 GMT -5
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Post by bettabrat on Aug 1, 2003 23:58:14 GMT -5
I'm definitely not the expert on bettas, but I heard 50% one week, 100% the next for a 2 1/2 gal (just rotate like that)....but if you have a filter, that may be different.....I'll let someone else pick it up from here........  Oh, I forgot to add: I was thinking about dividing my tank, but two things came up. First, is that it would be glass, and it's not really healthy to have two males flaring all the time. Second, after I saw my sad cupped boy in his 'ocean' of 2 1/2 gals, I couldn't bare to take away half of his space.... |
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Rhyn
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 165
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Post by Rhyn on Aug 2, 2003 0:53:28 GMT -5
I actually have the Minibow 2.5. I got it for my dorm room last year, and I loved it except for one thing: the filter is awful. The current is somewhere between White Water Rapids and Jacuzzi. I bought a little $15 thing at Petco www.petco.com/product_info.asp?familyid=3199&sku=3017239006&tab=3&dept_id=1052&c1=1051&c2=1052&c3=&ct1=Filters&ct2=Bowl&ct3=Mine came with the air pump too. That thing is tiny enough not to take up half the tank, and I find that if I put the top part where the bubbles come out above the water line, there's no current whatsoever and it still keeps the tank clean. I love the 2.5 so much that when I decided that two bettas and an otto was a bit too much for one tank and I'd need to upgrade, I went ahead and got the Minibow 5. And a third betta. Oops.  By the way, the Minibow 5 isn't THAT much bigger than the 2.5. I mean, comparitively it looks huge, but the footprint is really small. It sits really well on my dresser at home. I'm going to cycle the tank, then transport the established filter and fish. And I'm getting pretty good at fish traveling - I'll write something up on what I do eventually. Last time, both fish were perfectly fine after the 2.5 hour drive - still full color and not a stress stripe visible! For the 5 gal, I'm going to build an undergravel filter 'cause I can't find a larger version of the filter I have on my 2.5. I've bought the materials and I'm going to wing it (wish me luck). Anyways, ramble aside, I highly recommend the 2.5 for a dorm room, unless of course you decide to go for the 5, in which case I'd say that's even better. As to the filter it comes with, it's bad, but you can get a replacement cheap. |
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Post by Tanya on Aug 2, 2003 18:05:19 GMT -5
I have the Eclipse system Three and love it. The outflow is very gentle. There is enough stillness at the top on the opposite side for a betta to build a bubble nest if he is so inclined. The acrylic tank gives a completely unobstructed, non-distorted view of the tank, the bio-wheel filtration makes the water absolutely crystal clear, so that when you look into it it feels like there is nothing at all between you and the aquatic environment. The black color looks sleek and classy. The design is compact and very convenient, easy to maintain, and easy to monitor. I change about 1/3 of the water each week -- one gallon, vacuuming the gravel. I change the filter cartridge at the same time, but don't always put in a brand new one. I rinse the cartridge well with a spray of hot water and let it dry. I keep at least two filter cartridges, so that I can put a fresh (or clean/used) one in as soon as I take out the dirty one. You don't really need to buy new ones until the older ones start getting worn. You do need to cycle this system, because the purpose of the bio wheel is to grow the beneficial bacteria that process the nitrogen compounds. You could cycle it very slowly with the fish, by doing frequent water changes, keeping a close watch on ammonia and nitrites, or you could do a fishless cycle www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycling.html which is nicer for the fish -- you wait to get the fish after the cycle is complete. |
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Post by bettabrat on Aug 2, 2003 20:44:29 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with bio wheels and I have one question. Does the benefitial bacteria remain in the actual wheel part (and not in the filter)? I only ask this because I have a whisper hang-over-the-back type with a filter pad/charcoal. I do not rinse it in tap water because the tap water kills the good bacteria. I swish in the old tank water when I'm doing water changes.
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Post by duli on Aug 2, 2003 22:30:42 GMT -5
Thanks to all who replied with advice! One last question: Rhyn, did you ever have any trouble keeping the temperature constant in your 2.5? The temp in my dorm room tends to fluctuate especially in the winter, and I don't know how I can safely heat a 2.5 gal tank.
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Post by bettabrat on Aug 2, 2003 22:52:48 GMT -5
Good question. I have a 2.5 gal as well. I've seen mini-heaters supposedly for this size-5 gal. I've never tried them.... Rhyn?? Oh, yeah, and I've heard that heating pads work well if they have the temp control. ....Next investment  |
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Post by BettaRic on Aug 3, 2003 12:20:22 GMT -5
Same for me, I have bettas in a 3 gal. Eclipse systems and they love it. The current it gentle, the biowheel contains the necessary bacteria. And they are very well planted (no artificial plants) too.
I don't believe in fishless cycling anymore (from my experiences) so one of my bettas was in a system cycled by mollies, the other one cycled the system himself, and it did not make any difference.
I do a 20% water change once a week, adding the necessary components for the water (stresszyme, stresscoat) and they are fine.
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Rhyn
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 165
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Post by Rhyn on Aug 3, 2003 13:29:37 GMT -5
I never had any problem at all with heating. My drom room was a pretty constant way-too-warm (except when the heating failed, which was a bit too often). For when it was cold, I took a regular microwave heating pad (I'd had to buy one for myself - $15 at Rite Aid) and put against the back of the tank. That gave them just enough warmth through the night, and then I'd turn the light on during the day. The light is very good - if you keep it on all the time except when sleeping (which for me is between 5-8 hours a day), that gives it plenty of time to keep the water warm. And it does, too - without the light, the temp was around 70-72 and the fish barely moved. With the light, the temp was up around 77-78 and they danced for me. It's a good tank, and I personally like that it comes in different colors. Makes it easier to match to the room's decor. |
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AmberD
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 157
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Post by AmberD on Aug 3, 2003 19:34:20 GMT -5
I have 2 MiniBow 2.5 gallon tanks, and I just love them. I've never had a problem with the filter, either, as long as it is on the Low setting (switch on the back). It's weird to hear about such problems when both of mine are fine  I do 100% changes on mine every 7-10 days, but I know different people handle theirs in many ways. As for dividing two males, they'll eventually get used to seeing each other and will calm down and only flare now and then. I couldn't divide mine and take away half their room, either though Plus there's the question of who gets stuck in with the filter, which takes up so much room? It wouldn't be fair If you do get a MiniBow, do NOT pay the 40.00 on that site! They're $25 or so at Petsmart. Amber |
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Post by Tanya on Aug 4, 2003 0:36:57 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with bio wheels and I have one question. Does the benefitial bacteria remain in the actual wheel part (and not in the filter)? I only ask this because I have a whisper hang-over-the-back type with a filter pad/charcoal. I do not rinse it in tap water because the tap water kills the good bacteria. I swish in the old tank water when I'm doing water changes. Hi Bettabrat, The majority of the bacteria is in the wheel. That way, you can change your filter cartridge and it doesn't upset the biological filtration at all. Here's Marineland's blip on their biowheel www.marineland.com/science/biowheel.asp |
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ana
Egg
Posts: 2
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Post by ana on Aug 4, 2003 7:03:58 GMT -5
i dont cycle small tanks and since bettas dont like the water movement i wouldnt consider it anyway. i have a gourami in a 2.5 and it has a filter but i dont let it cycle. i have read that many people disable the biowheel and do straight changes
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ana
Egg
Posts: 2
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Post by ana on Aug 4, 2003 7:06:18 GMT -5
i didnt notice that you havent bought it yet, sorry, i would recommend that if youre going for a tank of that size you go for an unfiltered tank and do full 100% water changes. a gallon is what most people use for bettas. easy to keep clean and no water movement
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By the way, the Minibow 5 isn't THAT much bigger than the 2.5. I mean, comparitively it looks huge, but the footprint is really small. It sits really well on my dresser at home. I'm going to cycle the tank, then transport the established filter and fish. And I'm getting pretty good at fish traveling - I'll write something up on what I do eventually. Last time, both fish were perfectly fine after the 2.5 hour drive - still full color and not a stress stripe visible!
