8 Gallon

[sparky_555]

I'm thinking about buying an 8 gallon tank for an upgrade for custard (my male VT). Would i have to cycle the tank with a filter before he can move in? or would he be ok without a filter and regulaer water changes?

Thanks

 

[fishboy619]

the tank needs to be cycled first.
personally i would add a filter, lots for sale that would do a 8gallon, its less hastle with one, other wise compleate a water change every 4-5 days.
a heater is nessary though.
well done for thinking of upgrading him, i assum hes in a small tank other wise it would be down gradeing

 

[DarkEntity]

If you are dismantling the old tank all you need do is move gravel + 50% water then dechlorinate the other 50% fresh and add the old filter and its ready to go.

 

[sparky_555]

He's in a 2.5 gallon atm, i just feel he would do better in a bigger tank.

How about a 5 gallon?

Thanks for the replies

 

[cheesy feet]

5 gal is good

 

[stang1]

A 5G tank would be fine, that's what I keep mine in. With filter, heater and plants it still leaves plenty of swimming space.

 

[sparky_555]

Would it need cycling or would it be ok with water changes twie a week?

Thanks for the replies

 

[stang1]

If you are using a filter then it will need to be cycled first. Some people don't use a filter and to be honest, I don't know if they cycle the tank or not. I think without a filter then you will need to do water changes twice a week.
I prefer to use a filter with my fighter tanks and generally change the water about once a week.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

heaters are not necessairy(sp?). i have all three of my betta boys in unheated tanks and they're all very active but my house temperature is rarely below 75F. in a tank that big, you may want one, but you don't have to have it.

are you going to get him a few cories/ottos/shrimp friends?

 

[stang1]

I'd definitely get a heater for the tank, especially with you living in the UK. Our weather is too unpredictable and it is much better to have one so that you can keep the temperature as it should be.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

external temperature is crazy, right? it's the same here but our house temperature stays fairly constant. unless they're living outside, then their water temperature should be fine too, but as i said before, in a larger tank i'd probably get a heater, too.


you want unpredictable weather? it was 75F here one day and the next it was snowing! i hate the cold.
as my one teacher once said "its ohio. if you dont like the weather, wait five minutes."

 

[stang1]

I know exactly what you mean. The sun was shining the other day so I thought I'd hang my washing out to dry, by the time I'd pegged the last item on the line it had started snowing!
The trouble with the UK is it is difficult to maintain a constant temperature because of the weather changes. Our house can be really warm one minute and cold the next.