Kind Of A Little Issue.... Dividing A Tank.

[Amberleaf]

All righty thens, I have a bit of a dilemma, here. I, umm, kinda got a needle today, so my Mom said that I could probably get another male Betta! The only problem is, that I'm not allowed to set up another tank, *no* not even a bowl (apparently, 4 tanks throughout the *entire* house is already too much; well, not in my book!), so if you suggest that then my little evil hamster, Kiwisse, will come to rip your eyes out. But, *anyways*.... ^^;

The first problem is that the tank only has a heater, *no* no filter.... It's a 5-gallon, so for one fish I don't see any problems, but.... for two.... that might get a bit iffy.

Secondly of all, I've kinda used up all the electrical outlets in my bedroom, soo.... Because I have Mr. Wimpy Fish's heater and a lamp currently in the one by his tank, and then, there *is* one other electrical outlet but that's not always open and besides, it's half-way across the room.... My power bar is on the other side of the bedroom....

Would this be fine for, oh, maybe, like, 2 months, or so? I will be getting a larger tank soon (heheheh; apparently, that's the absolutely *only* thing that they're making exceptions for) and then my 10-gallon should be free, dunno how soon, though, and then, once the 10 is free, then one boy can probably live in there....

UGH! >.<; Sooooooooooooo confusing. Anyways.... Any help, please?

 

[soph_betta]

could you swap your danio and two females in to the 5.5 gal and devide the 6 gal in to two 3gals for the males
(if yor sig is right)
???
Just a suggestion?!?

 

[Haych]

ok.... am confused... i thought bettas needed 5 gallons each

 

[soph_betta]

3gal is the minimum but 5 gal is better!
If its only goin to be a little while till amber gets the 10 gal sorted then there is no probs!

 

[Curiosity101]

It would only be ok if you could get hold of a mini filter, cycle it and then get the second boy. As a temporary measure I don't see anything wrong with a divided 5.5gal tank.

However...and this is a big however. Why can't you just wait until you have a more suitable tank for the two boys? I understand if you have seen THE perfect most ideal betta ever online...but if you were just planning to go to your local shop to see what is there...then I don't really think you should.
Just out of interest, why doesn't he have a filter? I see you have a power problem, but can you not get multi adaptor? (turns 1 plug into anything from 2-5)

 

[Haych]

i have them things everywhere lol

i have 2 double plug sockets in my lounge and a single one. on one i have the tank on a 5 way extension, the other my laptop, double plug 2, the tv etc on ANOTHER 5 way and the other tank on a five way, and levs laptop on the single plug.... and i bring in the extendable extension too lol

 

[Amberleaf]

Weelllll.... It's kind of more like, I saw a really nice betta at the LFS that I wanted. If he's not there, then it's probably moot, anyways -- but hey, no harm in checking!

No, the 6-gallon tank is downstairs and my Mom doesn't want to have to move any Betta tanks with a difference of, like, half a gallon, anywheres.

Now.... off to Super Shopper. I saw a really great deal on a 25-gallon there.... Well, it's a great deal if the 25-gallon comes with a hood. ^^;

 

[JustKia]

Why not just hold fire until you have enough space/tanks to house the fish you want instead of trying to squeeze them in?
I know bettas are addictive, and the fact that the boys like to fight each other so they have to be separated is a problem, but you've got years and years of fishy fun ahead of you and your mom is clearly not thrilled, so maybe just hold out until such time as you can persuade her to allow you more suitable fishy housing first eh?

 

[loraxchick]

do you have an airpump in any of your tanks? or a spare one laying around? you really should make a sponge filter for that 5 gal, one boy or two. makes the maintenance so much easier and NEVER have to worry about water quality (they work very very well. especially in small tanks..the amount of media you put into a home made sponge filter is much greater than most commercially available mini filters). if using media from an established tank ive found that they cycle in days, if not instantly. and you dont have to worry about toxins like ammonia..just once a week or so 30% waterchange and substrate clean. and no current for the betta which makes them perfecto in betta tanks.
they are very very easy to make(less than 15 minutes and very few "supplies" needed, which you most likely already have laying about the house anyway, ive given advice and instructions to many members who were interested. i could send you this info if youd like. id highly suggest even just giving it a thought. and if you already use an airpump in one of your tanks, no need for an "extra" plug for anything..you simply use a "T" connector from the existing airline tubing (they are like $1 at the fish store/petsmart).
i use them in all my betta tanks (2.5 gal-6gal) and water quality is never an issue. just a bit more substrate cleaning as they dont remove debris, just deal with the chemical filtration. give it some thought and let me know if you (or anyone else who may be interested) would like some instructions..even if you just "think" about it.
cheers!

 

[Amberleaf]

Mehs.... I *did* have a sponge filter in my room -- now it's in the 2-gallon in my sister's room. We have to turn it off at night, because it's just *so* loud.... :yikes: Any advice?! I mean, for Bettas, turning it off shouldn't be a problem -- at least, not over night -- because the stuff stays wets. Right?!?! ^^; 8D

 

[Icthyophile]

do you have an airpump in any of your tanks? or a spare one laying around? you really should make a sponge filter for that 5 gal, one boy or two. makes the maintenance so much easier and NEVER have to worry about water quality (they work very very well. especially in small tanks..the amount of media you put into a home made sponge filter is much greater than most commercially available mini filters). if using media from an established tank ive found that they cycle in days, if not instantly. and you dont have to worry about toxins like ammonia..just once a week or so 30% waterchange and substrate clean. and no current for the betta which makes them perfecto in betta tanks.
they are very very easy to make(less than 15 minutes and very few "supplies" needed, which you most likely already have laying about the house anyway, ive given advice and instructions to many members who were interested. i could send you this info if youd like. id highly suggest even just giving it a thought. and if you already use an airpump in one of your tanks, no need for an "extra" plug for anything..you simply use a "T" connector from the existing airline tubing (they are like $1 at the fish store/petsmart).
i use them in all my betta tanks (2.5 gal-6gal) and water quality is never an issue. just a bit more substrate cleaning as they dont remove debris, just deal with the chemical filtration. give it some thought and let me know if you (or anyone else who may be interested) would like some instructions..even if you just "think" about it.
cheers!

I'd love instructions on a DIY sponge filter. Would you mind sending me those?

 

[loraxchick]

do you have an airpump in any of your tanks? or a spare one laying around? you really should make a sponge filter for that 5 gal, one boy or two. makes the maintenance so much easier and NEVER have to worry about water quality (they work very very well. especially in small tanks..the amount of media you put into a home made sponge filter is much greater than most commercially available mini filters). if using media from an established tank ive found that they cycle in days, if not instantly. and you dont have to worry about toxins like ammonia..just once a week or so 30% waterchange and substrate clean. and no current for the betta which makes them perfecto in betta tanks.
they are very very easy to make(less than 15 minutes and very few "supplies" needed, which you most likely already have laying about the house anyway, ive given advice and instructions to many members who were interested. i could send you this info if youd like. id highly suggest even just giving it a thought. and if you already use an airpump in one of your tanks, no need for an "extra" plug for anything..you simply use a "T" connector from the existing airline tubing (they are like $1 at the fish store/petsmart).
i use them in all my betta tanks (2.5 gal-6gal) and water quality is never an issue. just a bit more substrate cleaning as they dont remove debris, just deal with the chemical filtration. give it some thought and let me know if you (or anyone else who may be interested) would like some instructions..even if you just "think" about it.
cheers!

I'd love instructions on a DIY sponge filter. Would you mind sending me those?

***Ichythyophyle-
it will not allow you to receive messages so ill just post it here (and for anyone else who wants it):::

hi
if you have an established tank, use some media and MAKE your own filter. established media cycles faster so is optimal to use, but new sponges/folss would be fine as well. just test and change your water as appropritae (if you dont know what i mean, just ask...happy to answer) anway, heres how to make one. ive given advice to a few members so ignore any info that doesnt pertain to you 9i copied/pasted). any more questios feel FREE to ask!

here's how to make one. it is reallllly simple.

list of things you will need:
- an old fish food tub or any other container with a lid depending on the size of the tank to house it (like an old peanutbutter jar (plastic of course), big yogurt container, sour cream container, pill jar, etc..make sure they are clean first..no sops just HOT water,).
-something to poke holes in the plastic- a nail and hammer or a drill with a small. sized bit
-gravel or some other material to weight it down
-filter media (sponges work best)
-air pump
-airline tubing


now to build it:
-take the clean container and poke some holes in the bottom (only cover about 25 % with holes)
-poke a hole in the lid of the container that will accommodate the airtube and be just a BIT wider than the tubing(so the air can get out as it bubbles)
-take an amount of gravel and put it in the bottom (a small handful will be enough)
-put the airline tubing thru the hole in the lid and then run it in the container right down into the gravel
-pack the filter material nice and tight around the airline tubing. you can cut sponges to fit. just make sure its packed well. if not, the airbubbles will have lots of "options" to escape. the idea is to get it so that there is good suction thru the media itself, not just the container)as the bubbles rise. if there is lots of airspace in there, the bubbles take the path of least resistance(around the media) and suction will not be as good thru the media as it should be, and the filter will not work as well.
- put the lid on the container that now is weighted with gravel and packed with media.
-turn on the airpump and viola- nearly instant and cheap filter!!!

some troubleshooting advice:
-if it seems to float, add more gravel to weight it down
-test your water daily and do appropriate waterchanges until it cycles.
-if using mature media, ive found that they usually cycle within a week or so (or sometimes instantly if the bio load is low).
- if you dont notice reduction of ammonia within a week or two, try packing with more media...or if it was REALLY jam packed, maybe take a bit out.


these filters require VERY little maintenance. they are NOT mechanical filters (do not remove the solid waste in the tank) so they dont get all gunked up with waste. i have not touched my filter media in months!!!! although this means that with water changes, you will have to syphon out the solid waste- these filters do not do that for you. they just take care of the chemical filtration (turning ammonia into nitrites into nitrates). they do circulate water quite well tho.

good luck and feel FREE to ask if you need any further instruction or clarification. they truly are very very simple to make. once you make one, you might not buy a filter ever again. i know i wont smile.gif its a little extra work to clean the solid waste up, but if you regularly do partial water changes anyway, it is not a big deal as you should be syphoning up the poo anyway.

good luck and have fun making your filter!
cheers

 

[loraxchick]

Mehs.... I *did* have a sponge filter in my room -- now it's in the 2-gallon in my sister's room. We have to turn it off at night, because it's just *so* loud.... :yikes: Any advice?! I mean, for Bettas, turning it off shouldn't be a problem -- at least, not over night -- because the stuff stays wets. Right?!?! ^^; 8D

why is it noisy? so the bouubes break at the surface? there is a very easy fix to that. get an airstone(ceramic is best) and then fins a plastic tube that is SLIGHTLY larger in diameter( home depot/lowes or a hardware store would have these-bring your airstone and make sure its a good fit leaving about a mm or so diameter difference). drill some holes in the plastic sleeve( that will accomidate the airstone). make sure the length of the cover tube goes from the airstone in the media, to above the water level. no more loud bubbles(although i dont mind them).
i can NOT stress the bennefit of sponge filters in betta tanks. they hold more media than conventional small tank filters (ie more surface area for the "good" bacteria) and keep the quality of water SPOT on. of course when you do a water change you need to syphon the substrate to remove debris, as these filters do not do that for you...only chemical filtration!
its not the "wetness" that keeps filter bacteria alive...it is an ammonia source...so if your filter isnt filled with "gunk" (and sponge filters are not becasue of the principle they run on- not mechanical filtration that removes debris which gets trapped inside and would eventually rot and produce ammonia). simply keep the water which is drawn into it thru suction clean of ammonia and nitrite, as it converts suspended compounds in the water itself).
hope that is helpful.
cheers

 

[Inchworm]

its not the "wetness" that keeps filter bacteria alive...it is an ammonia source...

They also need oxygen which they will be deprived of if the water does not circulate for a period of time. If it's the sound of the air pump itself that's bothering you, try putting it on a sponge, mouse pad or other surface that will absorb some of the vibration it makes on a harder surface. It might take a little time to get used to but if you get it situated well, the bubbling can actually be rather pleasant.

 

[Amberleaf]

Yes, it was the air pump. Oh, how I loathe that thing -- I put it on a towel, and my Mom *had* been using it beforehand for *her* tank, and, oh mai GOD, *SHE* tried everythings.... T_T; I hate airpumps; end of story. T_T; ^^;