Hexagonal Betta Setup Advice

[xhan]

I've decided to move my betta (knuckles!) into his own smaller tank. He's in a 60l community tank atm but he just doesn't feel happy to me. Silly I know! (plus selfishly I would like guppies!)

I had a small 17l tank but I've just given that to my dad!

I've decided I would like a tall hexagonal/pentagon shaped tank probably 3gal or 5, hopefully glass too. Which I'm struggling to find in my price range! (any suggestions are welcome!)

I'm wondering about filters though, heaters I understand but for some reason filters are beyond me! I'd like a filter that doesn't have strong water flow and that doesn't take up too much space/cost too much. Could anyone recommend a few to me? I'm based in the UK.

I'm wondering about airstones too, it'd look fantastic in a tall tank but would that be too disturbing? I'd place it at the back so the bubbles would be at the back of the tank out of the main swimming area!

I'm really looking for lots of advice/suggestions/places to look! Any help would be really appreciated - especially from knuckles!

 

[rebrn]

You can check ebay for the tank. Marineland sells the Hex 5 - 5 gallon hex tank with the bio wheel, but the flow of that might be too much for your Betta. As for filters, I have the Aqua Clear 20 in my 5 gallon tank (I am in the US so not sure if AC 20 is in the UK, but I'm fairly certain it is). It has an adjustable flow rate that brings the flow down significantly, from about 100 gallon/hour on high to around 33 gallon/hour on low. I don't have a Betta in the tank yet (still cycling) but when set to low, there is very little, if any, current produced, so it should be good for the Betta. The AC filters are nice because it comes with a pull out filter basket so you can really customize your media choices, you may have to cut sponges etc, if you don't decide to use the ones that come with the filter, but it is really nice to have the option to customize your media.
As for the air stones, I was told that Bettas don't like them, but that I could try it. I have an air stone in the back my tank right now (again no fish yet)and I do find that with the air stone on it does create quite a bit of current so it may have to come out. However, I bought one of those adaptors that allows you to adjust how much air is actually going to the stone, when that is turned low it does not create as much of a current, but you also loose a bit of the "bubble wall" effect with it on low. I think with the air stone, it is really a trial and error thing, it also depends on what type of Betta you have (or at least that is what I was told), i.e females do better with stones because the fins are not as long. So I guess if you have a Betta that doesn't have the long fins you might be ok. But definitely have one of the air flow adjusters on hand in case you need to reduce the amount of air, or just remove it from the tank completely if your Betta is getting stressed from it.

Hope that helps and good luck

 

[OldMan47]

If you like the bubbles and need a small cheap filter, you could set up a sponge filter or a simple box filter. They use air to move the water through them and don't cause much water flow in the tank.

 

[xhan]

Thanks for your help guys!

I've just done a search for a box filter I love the idea of making my own. I have a lot of free time so Id love to do this project over christmas!
I've given up my search for a hexagonal tank and I'm now just looking for something affordable! or hopefully freecycle will come through for me, after all I am a student!

Does anyone know any decent online websites for buying tanks. All I know is ebay and pets at home!

 

[StrontiumDog]

Hi xhan,

You can get sponge filters from most LFS for a few £.

You can also control the flow by using on of these little plastic valves, again only a few £.

A cheap air pump you can get from Wilkinsons for about £5

Tank wise I've got a 18"x10"x10" from a LFS for about £20.

 

[xhan]

Hi xhan,

You can get sponge filters from most LFS for a few £.

You can also control the flow by using on of these little plastic valves, again only a few £.

A cheap air pump you can get from Wilkinsons for about £5

Tank wise I've got a 18"x10"x10" from a LFS for about £20.

Are there any makes you would recommend for a sponge filter?

 

[aly_starh]

I would personally say that all Sponge filters work the same, after all they are just sponge, its the air pump Brand you would concentrate on as thats what they are powered by.
You can also get some fairly large Sponge filters from Ebay, from sellers in China for a fair price.

A good Air Pump brand i would reccommend is TetraTec

 

[Honeythorn]

If there are still any car boot sales going on near you then check them for tanks. I got my old 5 gal hex from one. If not then I'm now going to PM you a link to a 21 L hex tank on Ebay for 30 quid.

 

[xhan]

I already have a TetraTec air pump It came with my tank that a friend gave me - he just dumped a load of fish stuff in my room one day lol!

I had an interesting trip to the lfs a few hours ago, I asked for a sponge filter and the guy recommended this: http/www.hagen.com/uk/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01004650030401

he said, "you want a filter with sponges - this is what you want"

I'm no expert but I know thats not what I want! In the end I lied and told him it was for a fry tank as I read earlier that a sponge filter is best for a fry tank, he seemed to stop trying to sell me it after that and actually listened to me!



oh a link would be great Honeythorn! I've found so many that I would like on there but there all for collection and are nowhere near me!

I'll have to make a trip to the boot fair on Sunday!

I've found this one but its probably a bit on the small size!
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fish-R-Fun-FRF-355S-7L-Hexagonal-Aquarium-Tank_W0QQitemZ150378932613QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2303486985#ht_1904wt_1167

 

[aly_starh]

Your right thats not what you want. Thats a powerful internal filter by the looks of it. More than likey atleast £15 more than an average sponge filter.

LFS usually (well most likely) are not to be believed. You should always do your own research. they will try to sell you the most expensive items, in order to get money.

Good you spotted that

7l is too small, 12l min, although some beg to differ

 

[ellena]

I have a glass hex which I got from ebay for £12.50 It has a built in filter in the lid, so you might not need another.
A good tip on ebay is to go to the fish tanks category, on the left, choose 'used' then click location and you can chose within a certain radius of your postcode. You can then save that search and go and have a look every so often. It can even email you when new stuff is posted

 

[OldMan47]

The Fluval filter is a sponge filter with a built in power head. The flow from a filter like that would be too strong for a small tank like most people would keep a betta in. I have a similar Fluval filter running in a 40 gallon tank and it really does a nice job in that larger tank. There are also DIY sponge filter instructions posted quite often in the DIY section of the forum. The essence of one is a container for some kind of media, a lift tube made of moderate diameter rigid tubing and an air stone for the bubbles. Many variations are possible. Have a look at this thread.

 

[OldMan47]

I just found a pinned topic on DIY sponge filters here

 

[xhan]

I've scrounged my airpump back from my housemate - he wanted a bigger one - typical man! and I'm slowly collecting bits and bobs for my custom filter, I wonder if I can use aquarium gravel? I have some yellow stuff I was given - no way am I using it in a tank!

I found a lady on freecycle who has three tanks she doesn't want any more, I'm definitely taking the smallest but I'm considering the bigger one for an axolotl! I'm addicted! She hasn't replied to my email yet though! Knuckles needs a new home