Complete Newbie, With A Couple Of Questions

[Deefus]

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you for the vast amounts of info on this forum! I've been reading and absorbing, for a week or so, and it's been the best source of good information I've found

So, I've thought for a long time, that Betta's are beautiful, and have finally decided to take the plunge.
Today, I bought a tank (25L/5.5 gallons), to keep a single male Betta in. It came with a filter, but it seems there's split opinions on whether filters are a good idea or not?

I wanted a 25 watt heater for this size tank, but the woman in the shop, told me a 50 watt one would be fine. I'm not at all convinced.. I don't want to boil my fish!
Should I get a 25 watt heater instead?

And lastly (for now!).. I'm going to set up my tank tonight. I have water treatments and all.. How long do I need to leave it before I can actually put a Betta in there?

Many thanks in advance!
Dee

 

[Phoenixbaby]

a 25watt is more than enough for a tank that size, i think that lady is just trying to sell u extra that u dont need

some people say filter is better than not filtering but its up to u, if u are to filter the tank then u must cycle is 1st b4 u add ur betta into the tank

here is some info on how to cycle ur tank

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Beginner...esource-Center/

I recommend that you have a read through before you set up ur filter, if u decide to

personally i would recommend a small sponge filter, i have one in my 4gallon with my male, and its fine, not too strong flow, keeps the tank nice n clean

hope this helps

 

[Deefus]

Ooh thanks, that's loads of help!

 

[Phoenixbaby]

np, give us a shout if u need any more help

what type of male betta are you getting? and where from

 

[doresy]

I just got my boy last weekend

EASILY the best thing I've done this year so far

 

[devon_charm]

Hi and welcome.

You can use a 50watt in that size tank but you will have to lower the thermastat (sp) personally i would go for a smaller heater as then there is no worry.

As for using a filter, its your choice, i have both options here and as long as the filter doesn't cause too much movement you will be fine, as Phoe said sponge filters are ideal for Bettas

As long as the water is treated you can add your fish now, filter or no filter, there is no difference. You will need to change his water,about 75% twice a week should do the job. If you do go for the filter option you only need to do this until the filter cycles but he will still need changes once a week but only about 25% - 50%.

Hope that helps

 

[Colin_T]

A 25 or 50w heater will be fine in the tank. Heaters are thermostatically controlled so when the water is a certain temperature they turn off. A bigger heater will warm the water faster but should not make it any hotter. It will simply turn off sooner and spend less time warming the water. Get a thermometer to measure the temp. Have a look at a couple in the shop and make sure they all read the same temperature.

Filters keep the water cleaner for longer and mean your fish will be in a cleaner healthier environment. You can cycle the tank before you add the fish or you can cycle it with him in. Because it is only one fish in 25litres I would probably cycle it with him in. As long as you don't go putting heaps of food in the tank, and you monitor the water quality, the tank should cycle with low levels of ammonia and they won't do much damage, if any, to the fish.
If you cycle the tank without fish then it could be a month before it is finished.
If you get a filter make sure it isn't too strong. Bettas come from calm water and don't like being blown all over the tank. A small sponge filter (as suggested by Phoenixbaby) would be adequate.

If you don't have a filter on the tank then you will have to monitor the water for ammonia and nitrite and if they occur you need to do some water changes to bring them down.

Set the tank up, add the conditioner and allow the tank to run for at least 24 hours. Then add the fish any time after that.

 

[Phoenixbaby]

im currently cycling my 4gallon with my male in it, and its fine not causing any problems

however, i would much preferred to have cycled it without him in, but sometimes u kinda have to go with the flow lol

make sure u buy urself a liquid test kit that tests for Ph, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia so you can keep an eye on the stats whilst it is cycling

 

[Deefus]

Thank you all SO much for your help so far. I trust your opinions much more than people in pet shops, and such like. After all, you're Betta people!

I have testing kit, water treatments, thermometer (one that goes in the water, rather than on the outside of the tank), and all that jazz.
I could do with some silk plants, and tank ornamentation.. and need a little hidy place for him too.

I have my eye on a very pretty, healthy-looking boy (A VT, I think. Though I don't know much about types, to be honest), at a local aquatics centre, and am quite impatient.. but don't want to rush things and end up killing him

The only thing I'm slightly concerned about now, is this heater.
The woman sold me the 50 watt one, because that was the smallest they had. It has a thermostat and all that.. I'm just a worrier, where live creatures are concerned

 

[Phoenixbaby]

the 50w will be fine. altho id never use one myself in a tank that size

i just removed my 50w from my 4gallon and replaced it with a 25w

aslong as u set it a few degrees lowed than the desired temp it should be fine, as i found if i set the 50w to the desired temp in the 4gallon, it made the water warmer than the desired temp, either that or i had a dodgy heater lol

 

[devon_charm]

Phoe is right the 50w will be fine, you can always set it running in the tank now and watch the temp then get you betta tomorrow lol I'm not a patient person lol. you wont kill him, as long as your water is treated and heated he will be just pucker

 

[Phoenixbaby]

omg i havent heard that word in ages lol, pucker lol

make sure u post piccies when u get ur new betta

and if u need any more help feel free to ask

 

[Colin_T]

I use 100watt heaters in 35litre tanks and never have a problem. If the heater is a reasonable quality one it will be fine.

 

[Phoenixbaby]

hmmm i dont think any1 said they were a problem

the point i was trying to make is that, a heater that size really isnt needed, its a slight over kill, not only on price but also on size too, depending on brand

i also mentioned using a 50w in my 4gallon made the temp slightly higher than the temp i had set it to, but if used in a large tank there is not a problem

so im not really sure what ur trying to prove

 

[Colin_T]

Phoenix, I'm simply stating that big heaters won't cook the fish because they are thermostatically controlled and turn off when at a certain temperature. Deefus is concerned about the higher wattage heater cooking her new fish. It won't. There is nothing for her to worry about. If the shop only has 50watt heaters then use a 50watt. The fish will be fine.