Odd Betta Tank

[LauraFrog]

Basically I'm setting up a heap of fish tanks for the school, and a lot of students are very interested in keeping a betta. I have managed to persuade (most) of them that keeping them in cups is exceedingly cruel. The school happened to have a very large flask that nobody knows what to do with. It's extremely sturdy and 5 gallons in capacity. It's like a big water bottle in shape - it's a broad cylinder like a jar, with a drain at the bottom, and the top tapers to an opening that will just admit my fingers (all of them at once to the knuckles) but not my whole hand.

I really want to use it for a betta tank, because it's already there, the students and teachers love the idea, and I'm thrilled at the prospect of placing one of my rescues because I really don't have enough room. It's impossible to filter due to the shape, but the fish in question has ongoing health concerns so I wouldn't want to filter his tank anyway TBH. I figure that a combination of ammo-lock and 50% weekly water changes should be enough.

I'm sort of apprehensive about it because I can't get a net in there, so once the betta's in there, that's where he's staying. BUT - since he will be alone he wouldn't have to be moved if any medication was necessary, and tankmates aren't part of the plan in a flat bottomed, unfiltered tank. So I don't think this would be such a big problem.

I want to make it look as good as possible... so I wasn't sure how to go about it. I can't plant it, but here are my options as I see it:

Fake plants - scattered around the back edge using planting tongs, weighted.
OR attempt to build up a 'terrace' using small rocks and silicone.

I would prefer the latter as I think it will give a better effect - do you guys think it's possible?

 

[Spishkey]

im having a hard time picturing the top but is it not possible, using a glass cutting pen (available from diy shops etc) to just cut a bigger hole at the top to make it easier to add things in, or are you wanting to keep the unusual shape of it?

 

[electric yellow]

I cant quite picture what you are describing as the tank to house the betta in...

 

[bronzecat]

3 things spring to mind - Surface area, heating, and filteration?

A picture would be nice.

 

[Athena]

Is this plastic or glass? I think I know the shape you mean, like the huge water cannisters found on a water vending machine... but I think leaving it like that, with the narrow neck at the top is going to create you problems in the future. Why not find some way of cutting a top section off so that you are then just left with a cylindrical shaped tank?

Would be much easier to maintain and you'd then be able to create a much nicer environment using substrate, plants, pebbles etc for the betta, rather than struggling to add a few weighted down plants.

Same as someone mentioned above, I was concerned also about surface area and heating. In its current shape you wouldn't be able to add any equipment to it.

I don't know if this idea would work in its current form...

Athena

 

[bronzecat]

Hi again

Just read the post again. If the betta you have in mind has ongoing health issues, then surely this idea would stress it even more making the issues worse?

As you have said, you have tried to educate the kids that keeping them in plastic cups is wrong, so why not show them how it should be done. Proper tank, heating, filter etc etc.... I fear that there are kids out there that may try to replicate what you do and end up trying to put a betta in any old bottle. And judging by some of the videos on "you tube" they would try.

There's nothing wrong with educating people, I'm all for it. Just sometimes you need to understand the mentality of those you are educating.

 

[LionMom]

I think if the water level were kept low enough, surface area would not be a problem.

As to heating, couldn't you place it on a heating pad? Of course, you would have to drop a thermometer in there or, if available, use one of those external jobs with a probe.

Just a thought.

 

[Spishkey]

surely dropping the water level is giving the betta less room though? also in regards to the heat mat, make sure the 'odd tank' can withstand it first? some glass shatters with heat

 

[LionMom]

surely dropping the water level is giving the betta less room though? also in regards to the heat mat, make sure the 'odd tank' can withstand it first? some glass shatters with heat

Well, it's 5 gallons so dropping the water level a tad won't take away that much, would it?

As far as the heat shattering the bottle, I can't imagine a heating pad getting THAT hot - but it IS best to test it first as you suggest. Just in case.

 

[LauraFrog]

We are living in the tropics of Australia, and even in winter the temperature in a brick building would never fall below about 20-22C. None of my bettas have heaters inside my house. In an emergency (if we had a cold snap) I would use heat pads, which is what I do if there is a cold snap at my place.

Surface area - yeah, I was planning on low water level. It's 5 gallons to the point where the bottle begins to taper upwards, possibly about six in total capacity. So nice and roomy.

Cutting off the top is more trouble than it's worth TBH - most of the appeal of it is that this is a piece of retired lab glassware and it would be interesting to see it used for something else (namely, housing fish).

I'm still working on the 'education' thing... I'm fishless cycling all the other tanks. Some of the students seem quite interested.

 

[LionMom]

It sounds great, Laura. Once it is done (if you go ahead with it) you have GOT to put pictures up!!! PLEASE