Cleaning betta tank
Jason
suggestions I recently upgraded him to a 1G. I know that you all said
this is still pretty small, but honestly it's the biggest thing I could
fit on my desk!
For appearances, I added gravel to the bottom, and the same fake
anemone that was in the smaller bowl. The betta seems to enjoy the
anemone, and the yellow color makes his natural red color seem more
vibrant, so we're both happy with that.
It's an unfiltered tank, and I do a 10% water change each week by
cupping water out and replacing it with fresh. But I can see that
there's some uneaten food laying on the gravel, and I need to get it
out! Vacuuming isn't really an option, because there's just not that
much water; by the time I get started, I've sucked out a lot more water
than I intended!
So I guess the question is, what's the best way to clean the gravel? I
have plenty of snails that I can kidnap from my 55G tank (happy
refugees from a failed plant experiment), but I don't know if they'll
survive in an unfiltered tank. Any other suggestions?
BTW, I would really hate to put in a filter, just because it would
require a complete rearrangement of my newly designed office, and the
wires and sound would defeat the purpose of putting a very destressing
fish-buddy on my desk ;-) The sound of the air pump in my 10G is
killing me already!
TIA,
Jason
Mister Gardener
> much water; by the time I get started, I've sucked out a lot more water
> than I intended!
Siphon off the waste with a piece of rigid airline tubing, like what is used
for undergravel filters. These can usually be picked up at your lfs.
Otherwise, regular flexible airline hose would work, but you'd have to get
your hands in the tank. This should be a daily thing, especially since you
are not using a filter.
I'll leave the filter part of your question to bettaphiles, who have more
experience with tiny tanks.
MG
Tynk
Jason,
A 1g bowl *needs* to be cleaned a 100% weekly. Some need it twice
weekly depending on what's being fed. (not how much, but what)
This 10% weekly out of a 1g is not removing enough waste.
Since it's not filtered, you need to put him in something else (like
that half g you had him in while you clean out the 1g).
Take it to the sink, dump out the water, add new and swoosh the gravel
around and dump. Repeat until all the debris is gone. Rinse out your
decor and replace. Add new water that's as close to the same temp as
what he is right then. Add dechlor right to this bowl. swoosh around
too.
Get a little zip lock baggy to place him in while he floats in the
gallon conatiner so that he can adjust tot he temp. 15 min later,
release him.
Now you mentioned the noise of the pump on your 10g bothering you so
much.
One word for you....Eclipse.
These tanks are nearly silent. No pump noise what so ever. If you have
the water level up properly, you really don't hear anything.
I will post a pic of the 3g Eclipse on my kitchen counter. They really
don't take up a lot of room, are silent running, keep those Bettas
warm, have 2 types of filtration going, and best of all, has a
fluorescent light fixture whcih brings out the vivid colors of our
little dudes...(or gals, hehe).
Let me go measure the dimensions.
12 1/2" long, 6 1/2" deep and 11" high. This is including the top.
The rear of the tank is about 10 1/2" wide.
So easy to maintain too. 10% weekly water changes, monthly gravel
vacuuming.
Basically, what you're used to with a ton of benifits.
They are acrylic, so you do need to be careful not to scartch them. An
acrylic scrubber pad is needed for algae scrubbing, as the other type
will scratch it.
IDzine01
smaller version of your siphon and will do the trick without sucking
all the water out at once. On the other hand, Tynk's suggestion of 1 -
2 100% water changes a week is what you will need to maintain it at
least. My 2.5 gal betta quarantine needs minimum 2 changes per week to
stay ahead of ammonia build up. My cleaning regimen on that tank is
pretty much exactly as Tynk described as well.
Altum
I have a betta in an unfiltered 1 gallon "critter keeper" on my desk at
work. I do exactly as Tynk described too. I usually catch the betta
in my clean coffee mug so I don't have to disturb his slimecoat with a
net.
One thing - don't clean the tank too well. An inch or so of gravel,
the tank walls, and some plants can usually build up enough nitrifying
bacteria to break down the ammonia from one betta. You're only trying
to quickly rinse debris out of the gravel, not "clean" it. Be quick,
match the tap water temperature to the tank, and don't expose the
gravel and plants to too much chlorine/chloramine. My betta's setup
has occasionally gone two weeks between water changes and there is no
ammonia in the water.
I feed the betta floating Hikari pellets so there's never any food
leftover from feedings. Leftover food will cause problems in an
unfiltered tank. You must use a food that your betta consumes
completely.
As for snails, I'd avoid them in an unfiltered setup. Sometimes they
die and you don't really have enough of a safety margin to have
anything dead and/or rotting in an unfiltered tank.
--Altum
Jason
had my other betta, I did a 10% change once a week, and he seemed fine
for about 2 years (he developed a growth/tumor that ended up killing
him). It's worth mentioning, though, that I fed him some sort of larger
pellet (he would eat 6 a day; 3 at each feeding) with no leftovers,
while the new betta is finicky and insists on the tiny Hikari pellets
and ends up dropping some.
No big deal, I did a 100% water change today (using room temp and
aerated water that I keep aside for my 10G water change anyway). I was
worried that doing such large changes so often would not be good for
him, but he seems fine with it. I don't mind doing it more often, I'm
sure that he'll be happier.
I did notice, though, that it looks like there's a little algae growth
coming up to about an inch above the gravel. It's clear, though, which
is a type I haven't seen before. It wipes right off, but I didn't wipe
much because I was afraid that this was GOOD algae, but it could just
as easily be something in the water that's accumulating.
Altum, since you mentioned plants, I'm curious what kind of options I
have for a small, unfiltered tank? I thought about java moss, but I've
only seen it in pictures and don't know if it would look good with my
decorum. In an ideal world, I would have a plant that helps balance the
tank, but is virtually unseen. Does that bring anything to mind?
Tynk, it's the air pump that's too noisy in my 10G, not the filter
pump. I originally bought the air pump because when I moved my tank, I
apparently stirred up a lot of gasses that killed one of my ottos and I
wanted to discharge them more quickly. But what I discovered was that,
thanks to having well water, the air pump drastically increased my pH
(apparently by removing gasses that made the pH seem lower). Who knew
that this was in the FAQ? ;-)
But anyway, while the air pump is doing a good thing for the aquarium
itself, the one I bought (Aqua Tech, a Wally World special) is just
noisy and annoying. I'm not talking about the bubbles; these would
sound rather soothing. Instead, it's the noise of the pump itself.
I'll look in to the Eclipse systems, though. I'm limited locally (my
LFS is a bit of a joke, and Wally World is my backup), but I might be
able to go out of town this weekend and see what I can find. Are these
available at PetSmart? I have one about an hour from here.
- J
Altum
Jason wrote:
> I did notice, though, that it looks like there's a little algae growth
> coming up to about an inch above the gravel. It's clear, though, which
> is a type I haven't seen before. It wipes right off, but I didn't wipe
> much because I was afraid that this was GOOD algae, but it could just
> as easily be something in the water that's accumulating.
Probably a light film of diatoms and bacteria. It's fine to clean up
algae.
> Altum, since you mentioned plants, I'm curious what kind of options I
> have for a small, unfiltered tank? I thought about java moss, but I've
> only seen it in pictures and don't know if it would look good with my
> decorum. In an ideal world, I would have a plant that helps balance the
> tank, but is virtually unseen. Does that bring anything to mind?
I don't understand your question. Plants are leafy and green, not
"unseen." Any plant that is growing and not dying will improve the
water quality. You DO need to have more plants than fish to make much
of an impact. I keep a big clump of java fern tied to driftwood and an
Anubias in my unfiltered betta tank. If the tank has good light, you
could also try a sprig of Anacharis - it's a fast grower that's good
for purifying the water. Java moss is a bit of a pain in unfiltered
water as it tends to collect debris.
--Altum
Mister Gardener
> > tank, but is virtually unseen. Does that bring anything to mind?
A canister filter could be located under the desk and the intake and return
hoses could be painted green. Or you can buy a sponge filter shaped like a
flower. They come in different colors.
Any plant that is growing and not dying will improve the
> water quality. You DO need to have more plants than fish to make much
> of an impact. I keep a big clump of java fern tied to driftwood and an
> Anubias in my unfiltered betta tank.
Java fern tied to a piece of driftwood, real or fake, would be ideal for
your setup. The rhizome of the plant is tied to the object with thread,
baggie ties, whatever, and roots will wrap themselves around the object so
you can remove what you tied it with after a few weeks if it is still
visible. Roots may or may not reach into the gravel, it doesn't matter, the
plant is getting it's nutrients from the water. A very undemanding and
enduring plant.
MG
Nikki B
filter often, i try and put it under things but my fish tend to rip it
back up again. However i have it in my fry tank with a sponge filter
and its growing a lot better now.
Nik
Tynk
Jason wrote:
>
> Tynk, it's the air pump that's too noisy in my 10G, not the filter
> pump. I originally bought the air pump because when I moved my tank, I
> apparently stirred up a lot of gasses that killed one of my ottos and I
> wanted to discharge them more quickly. But what I discovered was that,
> thanks to having well water, the air pump drastically increased my pH
> (apparently by removing gasses that made the pH seem lower). Who knew
> that this was in the FAQ? ;-)
>
Yes, Jason, I know it's the sound of the pump that drives you bonkers.
It does just about everyone.
Here's what I wronte:
<<Now you mentioned the noise of the pump on your 10g bothering you so
much.
One word for you....Eclipse.
These tanks are nearly silent. No pump noise what so ever. If you have
the water level up properly, you really don't hear anything. >>
I think an Eclipse is right up your alley.
I can't recommend them enough for single male Bettas.
> I'll look in to the Eclipse systems, though. I'm limited locally (my
> LFS is a bit of a joke, and Wally World is my backup), but I might be
> able to go out of town this weekend and see what I can find. Are these
> available at PetSmart? I have one about an hour from here.
>
Yes, Jason. The Eclipse tanks are sold at Petsmart.
If you happen to have a Pet Supplies Plus locally, they are usually
even cheaper than Petsmart (depending on the item).
Shannon Mulberry
Jason wrote:
>
> Tynk, it's the air pump that's too noisy in my 10G, not the filter
> pump. I originally bought the air pump because when I moved my tank, I
> apparently stirred up a lot of gasses that killed one of my ottos and I
> wanted to discharge them more quickly. But what I discovered was that,
> thanks to having well water, the air pump drastically increased my pH
> (apparently by removing gasses that made the pH seem lower). Who knew
> that this was in the FAQ? ;-)
>
Yes, Jason, I know it's the sound of the pump that drives you bonkers.
It does just about everyone.
Here's what I wronte:
<much.
One word for you....Eclipse.
These tanks are nearly silent. No pump noise what so ever. If you have
the water level up properly, you really don't hear anything. >>
I think an Eclipse is right up your alley.
I can't recommend them enough for single male Bettas.
> I'll look in to the Eclipse systems, though. I'm limited locally (my
> LFS is a bit of a joke, and Wally World is my backup), but I might be
> able to go out of town this weekend and see what I can find. Are these
> available at PetSmart? I have one about an hour from here.
>
Yes, Jason. The Eclipse tanks are sold at Petsmart.
If you happen to have a Pet Supplies Plus locally, they are usually
even cheaper than Petsmart (depending on the item).
See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.
Jason
> "unseen." Any plant that is growing and not dying will improve the
> water quality.
I realize that my comment did sound pretty stupid. Forgive me, I'm a
web designer and work until around 4am, then I get to post here, so my
brain isn't always working.
What I was trying to say was that I particularly like the appearance of
my tank right now, and can't imagine that any plant would add to the
"chi." If I were to add a plant, it would only be to help take care of
some ammonia and such, not for the appearance.
So as far as I'm concerned, the best plant for me would be about an
inch tall, would be buried completely in the gravel, and would suck up
all of the ammonia and other waste that my betta could produce!
- J
Jason
> It does just about everyone.
> Here's what I wronte:
>
> <<Now you mentioned the noise of the pump on your 10g bothering you so
> much.
> One word for you....Eclipse.
> These tanks are nearly silent. No pump noise what so ever. If you have
> the water level up properly, you really don't hear anything. >>
Like I said in the other thread, please allow me to chalk my lack of
thought up to the fact that it's usually 4 or 5am when I post ;-)
Since you mentioned the noise when the water level was down, I thought
that YOU thought that I was talking about the filter pump, which is
obviously pretty noisy when the water level is down.
> Yes, Jason. The Eclipse tanks are sold at Petsmart.
> If you happen to have a Pet Supplies Plus locally, they are usually
> even cheaper than Petsmart (depending on the item).
I'm afraid that if there is a Pet Supplies Plus near me, I haven't seen
it. I live in small-town North Carolina, and the nearest big(ger) town
is an hour drive. I know they have a PetSmart (which is my only source
for fish that live more than a week), but that's all that I know of.
- J
denizen
Jason wrote:
> So as far as I'm concerned, the best plant for me would be about an
> inch tall, would be buried completely in the gravel, and would suck up
> all of the ammonia and other waste that my betta could produce!
>
That sounds like a description of an undergravel filter.
d.
Mister Gardener
> I realize that my comment did sound pretty stupid. Forgive me, I'm a
> web designer and work until around 4am, then I get to post here, so my
> brain isn't always working.
How about applying your web expertise to fixing all of our problems with the
Google Groups site?
> So as far as I'm concerned, the best plant for me would be about an
> inch tall, would be buried completely in the gravel, and would suck up
> all of the ammonia and other waste that my betta could produce!
If you moved that one inch height to the top of the tank from the bottom,
floating plants like water sprite or hornwort are great ammonia suckers. And
your betta would enjoy the patches of shade and the clumps of hair-like
roots hanging down.
MG
Altum
I've always found that real plants contribute far more chi to fishtanks
than ornaments. *wink* Have you ever seen Takashi Amano's books?
I don't know of any 1" plants with low light and CO2 requirements. Mr.
G makes a good suggestion of moderate-light floating plants, if you
don't mind the shade they cast on the bowl. You might even consider
duckweed. It forms a very thin layer on the top of bowls, grows fast,
and absorbs lots of ammonia.
--Altum
Altum
Jason wrote:
> I'm afraid that if there is a Pet Supplies Plus near me, I haven't seen
> it. I live in small-town North Carolina, and the nearest big(ger) town
> is an hour drive. I know they have a PetSmart (which is my only source
> for fish that live more than a week), but that's all that I know of.
You can mail order Eclipse tanks. Big Al's Online and That Pet Place
both carry them.
--Altum
Gill Passman
I have one in my betta tank....
Gill
Mister Gardener
> G makes a good suggestion of moderate-light floating plants, if you
> don't mind the shade they cast on the bowl
. . . and the density and surface coverage of the plants can be easily
controlled, providing only the amount of shade you determine to be chi -c. I
don't recall what light you have above the tank, but the plants mentioned do
fine with low to moderate lighting. The underside of water sprite provides a
very natural environment for the betta - well, as natural as one could
expect in a manufactured container with electrical attachments sitting on a
desktop.
MG
Mister Gardener
>
> I have one in my betta tank....
>
> Gill
Well, we tried a java fern attached to a piece of driftwood or ornament, but
the OP asked about something not so large - only an inch or so above the
gravel. So outside of an undergravel filter, we are now presenting floating
ammonia suckers as a possibility. I'm not too certain about whether my
suggestion will achieve the correct "chi" - I tend to decorate based on
"hey, that's really cool", or "man, that sucks", or more simply "wow".
MG