Is My Tank Too Small ?

[bettathancod]

I'm new here, looking for some good advice, betta than I can get elsewhere ! Giggle !
I have a lovely male and 3 females in a tank which is about 1 ft x1 ft x 2ft. I thoughtthey really don't need this much room ! but another member has said it is too small for the 3 girls and a male. I have a heater in the tank , and plenty of hiding places. There is a filter, but I am not switching it on as I know they like still water. BUT how should I keep the tank clean & the water fresh ? Does anyone put snails or sucking loaches in with Bettas to do some clearing up ?
I know it is a lot of questions, but i do really need to know .
Thanks

 

[Monty2451]

First off, never keep a male with females unless your breeding, and even then it's one male to a female. Secondly, the tank should be OK for a small harem, I'd get another two or three females to spread the aggression a little, so no one fish is constantly terrorized. Be sure the tank has plenty of hiding places so the females have a place to go when running from the dominant one. The male should be on his own, in a tank no smaller than 1 gal., though if space is not an issue 3+ gal. is much better. I don't keep anything with my betta, just regular water changes to keep the water nice. I'm not sure about it's compatibility, most say that if the fish is more docile and neutral colored, they'll be OK, but someone should be able to tell you for certain. Good luck with your new bettas!

 

[blue_betta]

sorry id mis read your mesurements its a fair size for that number of betta, you could do with haveing a few more females and removing the male, get him a small tank of his own

 

[bettathancod]

Great. I thought it was a decent size ! I am going to get a divider so the can have some peace and also more girls later.
Thanks !

 

[monica]

I suggest that is you do not use the filter, just do massive water changes more frequently.
Or switch on the filter. They will get used to the current in a little bit. Live plants will help keep the oxygen level okay, so they don't have to go up for air every 30 seconds

 

[Amunet]

In a tank that large, I would use the filter.
You can always rig soemthing up to reduce the flow from the filter if yours doesn't have anything that lets you adjust it.
I used left over plastic mesh (you can get a sheet of it for less than a dollar at walmart) for my filter.
It still allows the water to flow through it, but slows it down so the current is minimal.

 

[Shrimper]

I agree with using the filter... my Betta tank is 3/4 the size of yours and i use an internal filter. I originally reduced the flow from mine by pointing the outlet towards the glass and put a small bit of sponge between the outlet and the glass. This helped reduce the flow a lot. I don't use the sponge any more, i've planted the tank and the tall ones that reach the surface help kill the flow enough.

If you split the tank into two parts, one 6 inches and one 18 inches you can probably add one or two more girls to the other side. This would give the boy about 4 Gallons and the girls about 12 Gallons. When you put the divider in make sure it goes all the way up to the hood and not just the waterline. Your boy will probably jump the gap to get to the ladies!

 

[Bubblenester]

When you put the divider in make sure it goes all the way up to the hood and not just the waterline. Your boy will probably jump the gap to get to the ladies!

When I had a similar arrangement, it was the females who jumped the divider and then proceeded to tear up my poor male!

 

[Danio123]

Hey People,,x i was just wonderin if any1 can help me?? i Have onlii jus started reallii buying tropical fish and i onlii have 4 zebra danios,, i have a filter in my tank and its kinda powerfull will the current off my filter kill my fish??? Somebody plz write bk

 

[Shrimper]

Hey People,,x i was just wonderin if any1 can help me?? i Have onlii jus started reallii buying tropical fish and i onlii have 4 zebra danios,, i have a filter in my tank and its kinda powerfull will the current off my filter kill my fish??? Somebody plz write bk

You will probably get more replys starting a new thread in the new to the hobby section, but i'll try to help here...

The filter shouldn't kill the fish, unless the flow is that strong they are pinned to the side of the tank and can't move.

 

[fredgarvin]

I don't know if these are still available but the old style, in the tank box filter with an air pump and airvalve works. Just use the valve to regulate the flow of air to the filter and leave it on the level that your little emperor and his harum like. I kept a male & 3 females in a 5 gallon tank for 2 years with no trouble, but others will dispute the wisdom of this. My rule of thumb is if there is trouble, be ready to make a change.