If I Got 3 Of These...

[Betta_Lovex3]

If I got all my bettas Large Critter keepers, which are about 5ish gallons each from what I'm told...
What would be a good setup? That would be an awful lot of water conditioner to use, but I'm still a bit afraid to try aged water. Maybe some of those water tablets? Could I maybe somehow add a filter and heater? And gravel..? Sand? Plants? AHH! I can't decide on anything. Here's a pic of the Critter keeper, and the dimensions of the ones I'm planning on getting. Can someone make sure it's about 5 gallons? Thanks!
Dimensions--All Living Things® Critter Totes - Large (14.5"L x 8.625"W x 9.625"H)

Similar to the ones I want.

 

[Andreeuh]

Hmm.. I dunno how big it is but there are filters and heaters suitable for 2+ gallons. I dunno if the heater would be good in that cause it's plastic or acrylic & I'm not sure if they melt stuff or not. I really don't have experience with heaters at all. Anywhooo, Sand/gravel/plants.. I think that all has to do with your own personal taste!

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

Hmm.. I dunno how big it is but there are filters and heaters suitable for 2+ gallons. I dunno if the heater would be good in that cause it's plastic or acrylic & I'm not sure if they melt stuff or not. I really don't have experience with heaters at all. Anywhooo, Sand/gravel/plants.. I think that all has to do with your own personal taste!

Heaters and filters I just realized are SO expensive! (At least for me) Definitely going to get some plants...maybe their original ones plus some more. Gravel is awful hard to clean in a 1 gallon, I bet it's worse in 5!

 

[ezrock]

Hi. Why are you afraid to use aged water? All you have to do is get a bucket and put tap water in it. Let it sit for 24 hours before you add it to a fish tank. That's all you need to naturally get rid of the chlorine/chloramines from the water. I almost always just do this, and haven't had any problems with chlorine/etc. There's really nothing to worry about

-Ian

Oh yeah...I checked for you, and it's just under 5.2 gallons!

The equation is very simple in case you want to learn it. Just do (length X width X height) then divide by 232 and you have US gallons

-Ian

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

Hi. Why are you afraid to use aged water? All you have to do is get a bucket and put tap water in it. Let it sit for 24 hours before you add it to a fish tank. That's all you need to naturally get rid of the chlorine/chloramines from the water. I almost always just do this, and haven't had any problems with chlorine/etc. There's really nothing to worry about

-Ian

Oh yeah...I checked for you, and it's just under 5.2 gallons!

The equation is very simple in case you want to learn it. Just do (length X width X height) then divide by 232 and you have US gallons

-Ian

I would be afraid I didn't let the water sit long enough or something. I always have fears I'll kill the fish!
I dreamed about killing Seb, and forgetting to add water cond. and everything. 5.2 Gallons is good. I'll have to remember that equation!

 

[BettaBum873]

I use genesis water dechlorinator, you only use 1 drop per gallon and the bottles really big, and it only cost $4.89. I use critter keepers for almost all of my bettas! A filter isn't realy necessary, you just have to do more water changes, which aren't bad. I clean 15 1-2 gallon tanks 3 times a week, I actually find it to be fun!

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

I use genesis water dechlorinator, you only use 1 drop per gallon and the bottles really big, and it only cost $4.89. I use critter keepers for almost all of my bettas! A filter isn't realy necessary, you just have to do more water changes, which aren't bad. I clean 15 1-2 gallon tanks 3 times a week, I actually find it to be fun!

Where do you buy your water conditioner at?
Now I have to decide on rocks, sand, or something else, and on plants...

 

[TammyLiz]

Hi. Why are you afraid to use aged water? All you have to do is get a bucket and put tap water in it. Let it sit for 24 hours before you add it to a fish tank. That's all you need to naturally get rid of the chlorine/chloramines from the water. I almost always just do this, and haven't had any problems with chlorine/etc. There's really nothing to worry about

Actually, letting the water sit for 24 hours does not get rid of chloramines. That is why the water companies use it--its more stable than chlorine. Since most places used to only use chlorine it was fine to let the water sit. These days, most use chloramines, so you have to be very careful that you're sure they don't, and that they'll notify everyone if they decide to start. The chloramines will eventually break down as you let it age, but I've heard a quote that it takes somewhere around 2 weeks.

Tammy

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

Hi. Why are you afraid to use aged water? All you have to do is get a bucket and put tap water in it. Let it sit for 24 hours before you add it to a fish tank. That's all you need to naturally get rid of the chlorine/chloramines from the water. I almost always just do this, and haven't had any problems with chlorine/etc. There's really nothing to worry about

Actually, letting the water sit for 24 hours does not get rid of chloramines. That is why the water companies use it--its more stable than chlorine. Since most places used to only use chlorine it was fine to let the water sit. These days, most use chloramines, so you have to be very careful that you're sure they don't, and that they'll notify everyone if they decide to start. The chloramines will eventually break down as you let it age, but I've heard a quote that it takes somewhere around 2 weeks.

Tammy

That's why I'm scared! I need some water conditioner that takes less though, because mine takes one cupfull for every half gallon, and that would be ALOT of WC on 5 gallons..

 

[BettaBum873]

I got it at my local lfs. but I've heard of other people having it to so i'm sure u could find it at generic pet stores.

 

[Andreeuh]

Do you get Betta Plus? That's the only one I know that uses a capful for a 1/2 gallon. Aquasafe uses one teaspoon for every 10 gallons & the bottle says it treats up to 500 gallons. That would last you for quite awhile if you're doing a once a week water change. I think Aquasafe is about $4.99 a bottle. I got mine from Walmart. They have at least 3 different brands of water conditioners from what I remember. I know Betta Plus is $2.99 for a very very tiny bottle.

 

[lisie]

I need some water conditioner that takes less though, because mine takes one cupfull for every half gallon, and that would be ALOT of WC on 5 gallons..

That is crazy. I've never seen a water conditioner that took that much, you'll have no problem finding one that doesn't use that much, and therefore much cheaper...

 

[TammyLiz]

I use Seachem Prime. Its in a white bottle with a red label and they sell it at Petsmart and anywhere else that sells Seachem products, which are really good. It is pricy compared to other bottles, but if you look closely, you'll see that a little teeny bottle (1.7 fl. oz.) treats 500 gallons. I got my teeny bottle for under $4 at petsmart. You can get it in a bigger bottle, too. You'd use 10 drops to treat the entire volume of the 5 gallon tank.

Tammy

 

[flamepony12]

That most definitely isn't 5 gallons, it's about 1.5 to 2, I have one just like it as a back up tank. Good luck with the setup though!

 

[TammyLiz]

That most definitely isn't 5 gallons, it's about 1.5 to 2, I have one just like it as a back up tank. Good luck with the setup though!

They come in different sizes. She specified the dimensions in the first post of this topic, so I put it through a n online calculator. Its about 5.21 US gallons.

http/users.bluecarrots.com/dave.mann/pet...in/tankcalc.htm

Tammy