My New Tank!

[NameUser]

okay forgive me, i just wrote this in one guys thread, then though i should start a new thread for everyones help. but here's my issues.

i got a 20 gallon and a 150 filter.. does that number tell you anything about it? anyways i think the filter is too much for my guy (betta). and ive been trying to find ways to stop it from moving so much water. he gets pushed against the glass sometimes, and freak out, like jerk really strongly, and he looks somewhat distressed.

anyways, the pop bottle idea (as seen in some other links) doesnt work current is still very strong, and im afraid he'll get stuck in it, or around it or anything.. and he seems to dumb to realize that when he gets caught in some strong current to go down, instead of fight it.

thought of lowering the water level to half aswell, but im sure you all know that doesnt work, cause the filter stops working properly.. because he keeps spending all his time at the top of the tank, and not playing with any of the cool toys and places to hid that ive made for him.. he seems like he HAS to go back up for air.. he'll check them out, but he doesnt just chill out in any one spot, and ive created spots that are very low current, caves and such, and he doesnt really seem to want anything to do with anything except the top of the tank.

ive though of some how divideing the tank.. but i dont know whats out there that would help with that.

any help suggestions?

im thinking about getting a couple corys.

 

[x0x.love.you.x0x]

is he the only fish in the tank if so try not having a filter

or buy a new filter, that sounds pretty horrible for the poor thing

 

[azulfire24]

if ur us side try getting a ten gal sized whisper in tank filter from a wallmart,, you can put an extra spone in the frount current is very gental, i got ride of the carnon inserts for mine thought . i usee ceramic rings and bio sponge and fine filter pliishing pads in my tanks and they stay real clean and it has a excelent filteration.

 

[LauraFrog]

It sounds as though swapping the filter is the best option. You can't expect a betta to change its natural behavior when you put it in a tank, and to live in the middle and lower regions and learn how to cope with a current. They are only fish, and they can't overcome countless generations of instinct to cope with an aquarium situation that is wildly different to what they are adapted to live in.

If all you want to add is some corys, you would be okay with quite a small filter.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

When I first got my Betta the filter was to strong for him [Water cascaded from the filter in the hood]. He didn't come out from behind a large black box of the filter as the current was too strong. I tried by turning the filter down but it didn't make much difference. I was given advice from these forums to place a sock over the filter outlet and it worked. I noticed a radical change in his behaviour, and after the water surface calmed down he ventured out. Within a few hours stripes associated with stress on his body had gone and he's been happy ever since!

He'll probably become stressed having to go against the current and the fish isn't built to be placed in such a situation.

Good luck.

 

[NameUser]

sock sounds cool, and a good idea.. although ive thought of that, and would that not back up the water in the filter?

ill try it.. i know thats not somthing you can really answer.. ill give it a shot.

 

[Mauricia]

I would try to get a new filter as soon as possible, the stress from trying to fight the current will probably kill him. If you get a 10 gallon whisper filter and use socks to muffle that current it might work, but I've had that be too strong for my bettas unless they have short fins. Mine all use 3i whisper filters and thats perfect for them, or you could make a sponge filter. If he's the only fish in the tank you don't need to have a filter for a 20 gallon tank, because your bioload is really low, you can use one for a 10 or 5 gallon tank.

 

[NameUser]

hey everyone.. thanks for all the advice. I went out this weekend and got a big sponge, and tied it to the filter output area, works great, there is pretty much no movment whatsoever coming from the filter.

only problem now is that if i try to add some cories, i think they need water adjitation (i butchered that word didn't i?) lol.

anyways, i also got a divider, so if worse comes to worst, ill divide it off.. i feel bad doing this though, because my betta seems to just occupy the top of the tank mostly..

ACTUALLY, little tip maybe to help some of you out.. ive got mugs and glasses in my tank, instead of buying all those expensive, but cool looking suken ships and such, and ive filled one of my sunken cups with air, and my betta seems to like it, he hangs out in there alot more.