A Few Questions Please, ...

[jasminekiddell]

Hiya just wondering a few things,
1) i have a stingray 10 filter that i have in the betta tank pushed right under the water, but i dont know if to have it on or off because with it off the fish can swim more easily but with it on the fish struggles a bit what would you say?
2)Got my betta today, its in quite good shape but its fins are a bit messy, just wondering if they'll get stronger, regrow better or change colour?
3)Can i use artifical plants? I dotn want to overcrowd the tank

 

[Gill]

Hiya just wondering a few things,
1) i have a stingray 10 filter that i have in the betta tank pushed right under the water, but i dont know if to have it on or off because with it off the fish can swim more easily but with it on the fish struggles a bit what would you say?
2)Got my betta today, its in quite good shape but its fins are a bit messy, just wondering if they'll get stronger, regrow better or change colour?
3)Can i use artifical plants? I dotn want to overcrowd the tank

1. If the Current is too strong for the fighter try deflecting the current by placing more plants in front of the outlet. this will help.
2. The Fins should regrow with some TLC. If it is a Marble then they may charge color. If the Color of the Fish is Uniform they shoule not, but saying that new growth can change color.
3. Artificial Silk are the Best for a betta, You can never overcrowd with Silk Plants. Its all in the placement of them.

 

[lilacamy931]

What Gill said!

1. Not sure on the stingrays but with my Elite I had to aim the current towards the wall and have the heater in the way, with the Hang on the Back Filter have a plastic bit installed to dispel the current.

2. From what I have read, great water quality will help to heal betta's fins back

3. Silk and Live, plastic may rip and most probably will rip. If based in UK, Wilkinsons do good soft ferns 2 for £1 pack that have found useful for my tank for foreground texture. Agree as well, the more the better, he will love to explore

 

[jasminekiddell]

thanks for your reply, its alot of help!
Wilkies is in town i can go their sometime ill let betta settle in see how things go then if hes orite ill nip into a shop and get him some fake plants;silk.
He seems to like exploring!
i left the tank 4 days, and now im being 'told off' because the tank wouldnt have cycled, i feel so annoyed at people on another fish forum for being like that with me when their all adults im only 14!

 

[lilacamy931]

cycled is better, but then there has to be a learning curve.

My first tank which set up...3 months ago? I had looked into cycling, got a product which then did not work and due to various circumstances had to fish-in cycle which was a pain, but really kept on top of it and they are fine. Had a mini cycle with moving one of my dwarf puffs recently but couple of days later all good. The main problem is that the ammonia and nitrites that the bacteria can't convert because it needs to build up and establish in the filter will affect your fish, their eyes, gills etc.

By doing frequent water changes it keeps the water with less amount of these toxins and gives the filter time to build up and establish bacteria. My first tank took a good two weeks before I started to see 0 amounts for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

By the way I have a water test API dropper kit (just in case you wondered how I could tell). But then I am a paranoid worrier and needed to make sure it was going to go well with my four dwarf puffs.

Keep an eye on the sweetie and do regular water changes and ensure don't leave any waste food in the tank.

14? You are a willing student! And seem to have some more sensible ideas than me (im 24 btw ).

Lastly being told off, the cycle thing is better for the fish if done prior to entry, but tbh what done is done and I am sure you will learn excellent skills along the way

 

[jasminekiddell]

I have some of the APImaster kit, and some of the mini one.
I'll start with water changes tomorrow, ive just ordered my heater .
Will my better die because the tank isnt properly cycled?

 

[lilacamy931]

As long as you keep up water changes and watch those parameters than no shouldn't think so!

I am sure you will be fine, you seem to have a nice caring nature, just make sure keep an eye on him. You are doing good by having a filter! He will need a heater though as they need a regular temp (there are discussions on here what sort of temps to have them at, mine is at...27C). As long as you will care for him during the cycle you should be fine, I am sure others will pip in and give advice too

The main things to watch for are the ammonia and nitrites, nitrates are still somewhat a toxin but this is not as bad from what I understand). With my tank a product that did help the cycle along was Tetra Safestart, it helps to establish the filter and needs fish present. It is about £5-6 for a 50ml bottle which will last you. Some people will say this product is baloney, others great, it will up to you to decide. You can also talk to your LFS but again depends some are awful (mine are unfortuanately) and some have kept fish personally for years so have real experience. Live plants also help a tank to cycle so the Elodea should help from what I have read also.

There are various pinned articles about the cycle process, I suggest reading a couple (it may boggle your mind it sure did mine!). I went along the lines, ammonia and nitrites until they zeroed to a constant no trace daily I did water changes. To begin with did two a day (this was hard work but then it is a 14g) and then slowed to one a day then every other till stablised.

Hope that has helped. I am no expert only kept fish for few months, but have read lots, the problem is some things are contradicting from site to site, you have to take the facts and go with learning and gaining experience (wow that is a good bit of advice, for those that have read some of my threads, I need to take it! LOL)

 

[jasminekiddell]

i will keep an eye on him, i know its majorly important to have a heater, thats why i just odered one but the tank temp is fine atm.
The heater will maybe take upto a week to come so i just have a heat mat near by so the heat rises.

 

[lilacamy931]

ah good thinking, we seem to be having a good ol' heatwave in UK anyways so hopefully that helps

hope I have helped and not muddled things - I am sure you will be a great mum to Shimmer (there are no pretty ones like that in my local LFS very jealous )

 

[jasminekiddell]

i was lucky to spot him! i'm just sad that his funs arent all long and big, unless he's young, but i dont know how to tell lol. I got a 100w heater with a temperature control thing for £8! .
Shimmer seems to love hiding behind the plants.
I'll post more pictures when i can.

 

[lilacamy931]

hmmmm I am not sure how you can tell either, good quality water will help to heal ripped fins etc, may just have to watch and see him grow!

 

[jasminekiddell]

Yep i hope so.
He seems brillaint today dashing through the plants, he loves squeezing himself past the bottom of the filter lol, when he swims ic an see a vtruquise colour reflect in him, i love it!
Everything i feed he spits out, he ate a bloodworm yesterday tho.

 

[lilacamy931]

Some bettas when you first introduce will have a bit of a sulk and may not eat for a couple of days regardless. Just keep trying, if he won't scoop the food out with a net. I was lucky that Calcifer ate from day one, I may not be so lucky with the next one.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Just did my first water change i took out 9ltrs out of the 21, i really should of took half but i couldnt get in properly lol, ive added dechlorinator and make a hart for each day of the week for ammonia, nitrITES, nitrATES and ph.