Guppy Questions

[FishySarah]

Hey. A neighbor of mine wants to give me some guppies. She is at her wits end with them multiplying. I have never had guppies, but I have platies and mollies.

I have a 29 gallon tank with platys, mollies, gold barbs and black longfin tetras. When I put my betta in my 29 gallon, the barbs and tetras immediately attacked its fins. I had to get the betta out of there immediately. So, I'm thinking, from this, that I can't put the guppies in the 29 gallon since they have long fins too.

I have five gallon that is cycled. Problem is, there's a betta in it. I have also been intending to get a ten gallon for a long time. I have a filter, heater, gravel, ornaments, and a stand. All I need is the tank itself.

Problem- she wants to get rid of those guppies asap. So what do I do? Do I run out and buy that ten gallon, and put the guppies in an uncycled tank? Do I stick them in my 29 gallon and hope for the best? Do I move the betta to a filterless critter keeper that I can pick up for 5 dollars at Petsmart and keep the guppies in the five gallon until the ten cycles? Will the betta be ok in a smaller tank with no filter for a while?

Too many options- and I haven't a clue. What should I do that would be best for the fish??

 

[merry78]

i think your best option is to go for the new 10 Gall for your guppies, and clone your filters to accelerate the cycle (by squeezing gunk from a cycled filter onto your new filter, and possibly pinching a small portion of the media if possible).
i certainly wouldn't put guppies in either of your current tanks, as i think you are right, they will get shredded.

 

[theotheragentm]

I agree. Get some of the filter media junk and share it in the new filter. It will accelerate the cycle. Do not overstock the tank. I know your neighbor wants to get rid of a lot of fish I'm sure, but there is no need to put your fish in harm to help him out. Keep a very close eye on the water levels for the new tank and change water often.

 

[binman]

I agree. Get some of the filter media junk and share it in the new filter. It will accelerate the cycle. Do not overstock the tank. I know your neighbor wants to get rid of a lot of fish I'm sure, but there is no need to put your fish in harm to help him out. Keep a very close eye on the water levels for the new tank and change water often.

i totally agree definately get the 10 gallon and try and speed up the cycle with help from your other tanks
good luck whatever you decide to do

 

[modaz]

even with speeding the cycle up you will still have to wait a few days before you put the guppies in and then you need to keep a close eye on the stats for a week.

The betta could go into a filterless tank but the size must be big enough for him, you must also have to do every other day water changes, if you choose to do this then use the water from his original tank and keep his feeding down to reduce ammonia build up in his unfiltered tank, the temperature as well depends on what part of the world you are from. i would only do this on a temp measure b/c i believe a betta leads a better life in a filtered tank. but thats my opinion and other members might not agree, so nothing intended to those who dont agree with me