Newbie Question

[alex978]

Hi am new to the forum, and I have a 10 gallon aquarium filtered by a aquaclear with two female bettas and an applesnail. Im not really into this hobby but Im really starting to like it and I want to plant my 10 gallon tank, and maybe a 20 gallon for x-mas. Ive been reading most of the articles about cycling, pH and all that stuff. I recently learned that my bettas (and applesnail) breathe air directly. I also read that surface agitation produces oxygen for the fish, but since my fish breath air I dont need surface agitation? The guy at a fish store said no surface agitation wont harm the fish cause they breathe air, and no surface agitation is good because it keeps in the c02 for the plants. is this true? I really want to plant my tank but if no surface agitation will hurt the fish i wont do it. Thanks and yes I will be reseaching plant care

 

[SRC]

It won't hurt the fish at all. Just keeping the current at a level to keep from blowing them around is all you need to worry about.

Welcome, and good luck!

 

[Durbkat]

First of all to the fish forum. Second of all you really should get 2 to 3 more female bettas and get alot of fake plants and caves so the females won't fight as much and can get away from the other females.

 

[soritan]

Surface agitation is beneficial, to most tanks. At the very least, it'll help keep your water from developing an ugly protein sheen to it -- reminds me of the skin that forms on pudding.

I have a heavily planted 10g tank, with an internal filter that produces a fair amount of surface agitation. It keeps the water clean for my inhabitants, keeps the water temperatures even for my inhabitants, cycles around my fertilizer, and does all sorts of nifty things, including making my cleaning schedule lighter due to steadier water parameters.

 

[lilydancer]

Hey soritan,I have two 5 gallon tanks with one boy in each one, live plamts, and an internal whisper filter with light current. no matter what i do, i get theprotein slime on the top.it drives me nuts. Where does this come from/ I scoop it of the top with a cup, and minutes later it is back!!!
Do you have any suggestions for getting rid of it ? In spite of circulation, it is still there, weeks later. i do water changes every 3 days, about a gallon, and skim every night! i know Betta's don't like allot of current, so i keep it low.... Thanks for any ideas.

 

[soritan]

Well, without knowing your situation, I honestly have no idea, nor am I the most qualified person to answer, in any case.

You have an adjustable internal filter from Whisper? Lucky, mine's not adjustable at all. I didn't realize that they came in adjustable speeds... are you sure it isn't a 'hang on the back' style of filter?


I hope someone here can answer for you. It seems like you shouldn't have a problem with it at all, if you're changing water every 3 days...

 

[lilydancer]

yes, it is an adjustable . it hangs inside the tank, and if you look at the bottom, where the motor is,you will see a small little bar you can slide back and forth. You can cut the circulation to almost nothing, or have it quite strong .
literally within 20 minutes the film is back...

 

[soritan]

yes, it is an adjustable . it hangs inside the tank, and if you look at the bottom, where the motor is,you will see a small little bar you can slide back and forth. You can cut the circulation to almost nothing, or have it quite strong .
literally within 20 minutes the film is back...

You might want to start yourself a new thread, in the 'newbie' forum, including your tank/water stats. I go there often, regardless if I post or not, if only to read. There are many people on here who are downright aqua-brains, and we should all send them pound cake for Christmas. Often, if you are unable to find an answer to your question using 'search' or 'google', then starting a new thread is better than replying in a pre-existing one, imho.

 

[Durbkat]

yes, it is an adjustable . it hangs inside the tank, and if you look at the bottom, where the motor is,you will see a small little bar you can slide back and forth. You can cut the circulation to almost nothing, or have it quite strong .
literally within 20 minutes the film is back...

Hey I have one of those. I used to use it in my 2.5g but my bettas didn't like it and that protein build up did keep coming back and my secret to getting rid of it is....................................................................................................... wait for it..........................................................................................................wait for it............................................................................................................................. AN AIR PUMP