Bala Sharks And A Betta Named Dwayne

[Kiddo]

I'm new here, but I was wanting to get some opinions and advice about my fish tanks.

We currently have a ten-gallon with one female betta (Tess) and a five-gallon with a male betta named Dwayne, who was saved from my science class, which is a fish tale I may share later.

My dad has been wanting a big tank in his room for a very long time, and he finally got a 29 gallon tank. I am used to just having a ten gallon, so to me this is a huge tank! He is wanting to get two Bala sharks to put in the 29 gallon tank, but from what I am reading, it seems that get too big for this tank, is that right? We were also wanting to put Dwayne (male betta) into the 29 gallon with the sharks, and move Tess into the 5-gallon, eliminating the 10-gallon.

So I was wondering- if, in fact, it is not a good choice to put two Balas into the 29 gallon tank, might someone be able to suggest a similar type of fish that my dad might like? He loves the silver with black fins. He hates having plants in the tank, and likes to have it pretty bare, with just a few fish and a bubble stone. He did put two castles into the tank, though, so its not as bare as he was going to have it.

Reasoning with my dad is sometimes difficult, but if I could show him a different fish that would work in the tank, maybe I could talk him out of the Balas.

 

[demonmagus]

balas need 125 gallons tank when they grow so they are too big lol
i'm not too good with ideas for fish, but bettas like solitude, or cories e.t.c.

In the 29 gallon I think that some cories would go nicely as well as some other fish which people may mention later on...

 

[diademhill]

I'm new here, but I was wanting to get some opinions and advice about my fish tanks.


Reasoning with my dad is sometimes difficult, but if I could show him a different fish that would work in the tank, maybe I could talk him out of the Balas.

When I'm trying to demonstrate to little kids why their goldfish need big tanks I get them to make paper cut outs of adult goldfish.
Try doing this with Bala sharks - the overall length needs to be about 17".
I saw some 10" specimens today - they had been in a six foot tank for a year & were purchased as 2" babies.

There are lots of fish that can live with a Betta in a 29g tank - corys, pentazona barbs, harlequins & your Dad will probably like scissortails.
How are you cycling the tank?

 

[Kiddo]

Ok, Balas are a bad idea, lol. I will just tell my dad that if he has his heart set on the Balas, he will have to steal a tank from Sea World.

Thanks for the fish suggestions!

And cycling, that... well, I am still trying to make heads or tails of some articles I am looking through, so I am still figuring out that part. I have almost always had a tank of some sort, but it seems I never quite did things right. I have always had danios, and usually mollies or guppies, so maybe that has something to do with it. I usually just let the tank run for a few days with the decolrinator and some aquarium salt, but it seems that is not enough, so I am trying to figure out the right way to do things.

I read the article about fishless cycling, but I admit, I don't really understand. I understand the concept behind it, and the reasons I need to cycle the tank, but I have yet to see where it says how exactly you do a fishless cycle. I do want to do a fishless cycle, as I would hate to harm any creature when there is an alternate way of doing things. (And zebra danios are my ultimate favorite fish!)

So far, the 29 gallon tank was set up last weekend (decorations and rocks cleaned, everything set up) and dechlorinator (sp?). It has been running since then. Thats really all that has been done, but I am trying to figure out how to do a fishless cycle... (I was going to research it more before asking, as I am sure ya'll get asked alot.)

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=123786

 

[Kiddo]

I'm sorry to say, despite me showing my dad web pages and explaining to him that the Balas are not right for his tank, he got a case of the butt with me and went ahead and got them. Not only that, he didn't give me a chance to cycle the tank, either. I had the ammonia (pure ammonia, no added things) and the dropper all ready to go, I just need a test kit. He got impatient with me and wouldn't listen, so we now have 2 very freaked out Bala Sharks in his uncycled 29 gallon tank.

I hate for ya'll to write this off as another person posting for info then not following it, as I really thought my dad would listen to me and not get them. If it were my tank, I would have gotten some zebra danios or maybe mollies, as they are my two favorite fish, and I think they would be ok for a 29 gallon tank.

Also, I did not put Dwayne (betta) in with the Balas, as the tank has not been cycled, so I don't know about putting him in there. My dad is wanting to get rid of the ten-gallon tank, but is there any way to keep a male and a female betta in a five-gallon with a divider, or would it be too crowded?

I'm sorry things turned out this way, especially for the Balas. I apoligize to the fish community here, as I know it is frustrating to give advice then the person not take it.

 

[cane76]

some people cant be told anything dont worry you tried your best poor balas

 

[OohFeeshy]

How about you wait until theres a few people on live chat (some of the regulars are into balas) and make him talk to them? They can be preeety persuasive All you can do for now is check the water every day and do regular water changes. Do the 5g and 10g have cycled filters? If they do, it would probably be easier to put those filters on the 29g- as long as you do plenty of water changes, the bettas will be fine without them.

 

[Kiddo]

Thanks for the suggestions, feeshy. Both of the smaller tanks have cycled filters, so I will see about that, though my dad has pretty much said he was going to run his tank like he wanted to, and I could leave him alone. I will try, though. I had already put some gravel from my tank into the 29 gallon before the fish came, so maybe there is a little bacteria there.

 

[furryrabbit]

take it from someone with some (bad) experience : balas ( i had two aswell) + small tank= nightmare

 

[BBrain]

If you want to get rid of one of the smaller tanks, get rid of the smallest one; the 5 gallon, and keep the 10 gallon. The less water there is, the faster things can go bad. So, a 5 gallon tank needs extremely careful, and time consuming, care. It's all a matter of dilution.

Also, I have a feeling a larger, hyper fish like a Bala shark will tear the Betta up. Even if it didn't, just it's hyperness may put the Betta under constant stress. Stress leads to disease.....you can take that to the bank!

 

[oneponygirl]

Would it be at all effective to print this thread and show it to your dad? Maybe you could find some online articles to print out too. Just a thought.

 

[AnneRiceBowl]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=123786

You asked if there is a way to divide a tank for the male and female betta?

I agree with getting rid of the 5 gallon. The 10 gallon will be much easier to divide for the male and the female betta. It'll also be cheaper if you decide to use a DIY divider. All you need are a sheet of plastic canvas (sold at craft stores and Wal-Mart), some aquarium sealant, and scissors. (Don't know if there is a section for this, I am still new to this forum. Let me know if you need further instructions.) They will be just fine in the divided 10 gallon without a filter. You'll need to do weekly 100% water changes for them in the tank. You'll basically be turing the 10 gallon into a really big fish bowl.

 

[fishfishfish]

How about you wait until theres a few people on live chat (some of the regulars are into balas) and make him talk to them? They can be preeety persuasive

this is very true.ptarmagin is very persuasive.

id go to a fish store and see what you could get if you traded them the balas.if u can get some good stuff,tell your father about variety and what not.