Senior Citizen Mom Bought Betta Last Night/questions

[Will91]

Hi all:

First time post here. Nice place.

We were at a fish store last night and my 83 year old mom just had to have a betta fish. We bought a 1 gallon bowl and set it up last night. I was sure to de-chlorinate the water with treatment and I acclimated the betta.

I don't know too much about betta fish but it seems to me that they would do much better in a true aquarium with a filter and heater. I do know they like warmer temperatures - definitely warmer than a Colorado home in the winter!

I would like to buy a proper 2.5 or 5 gallon acryllic or glass tank tonight. I found one manufacturer called Marineland that makes a Eclipse system that seems to be popular at the fish and pet stores here. Two questions:

1) It seems the fish stores here only have 25W as a minimum heater. Is this too large a wattage for a 2.5 or 5 gallon tank?
2) The Eclipse tanks have a "bio wheel" filter built into the hood. Would the turbulence of such a system be too much for a betta fish (that I understand like more stagnant water)? If so, perhaps I should just find a small glass tank with a corner filter. I remember such corner filters from 30 years ago when I used to have tropical fish as a child - but don't know if they are made anymore.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[jollysue]

Yes, your Betta would like a 2.5 usg w/ a heater much better. The 25 watt is fine for up to 5 usg at least. They need it 72-82 degrees. 75-79 is good. I always recommend a dollar more and get the shatterproof ones.

Get a flourescent aquarium bulb not incandescent. You can buy one if the tank you choose doesn't have one.

As far as filters go I use filters of all sorts. The bio wheel Eclipse outfits are good systems. But the filter is turbulent, and you can't adjust it. You can hang something over it to deflect the current. It then isn't much worse than any other filter I have tried. It is hard for them to build their bubble nests with most filter set ups. But I think it is healthier to use a filter. There are some Betta tanks with Whisper Filters that may work for the Betta better. I have not seen some of the filters that others have found. I don't like underground filters for a Betta.

Some larger filters are a danger to a long finned Betta's fins, but I have never had any problem with any of the filters in smaller tanks.

Bettas prefer a long shallow tank but they do fine in my taller small tanks when they are young and healthy.

Just find the tank that appeals to you and your pocket. It won't likely be your last. You will learn by trial and error what works for you and your betta. I think I wouldn't necessarily recommend the most expensive set up, such as the Eclipses. I am just as happy with the less costly Betta and goldfish tanks.

 

[Nevergone815]

Yes, your Betta would like a 2.5 usg w/ a heater much better. The 25 watt is fine for up to 5 usg at least. They need it 72-82 degrees. 75-79 is good. I always recommend a dollar more and get the shatterproof ones.

Get a flourescent aquarium bulb not incandescent. You can buy one if the tank you choose doesn't have one.

As far as filters go I use filters of all sorts. The bio wheel Eclipse outfits are good systems. But the filter is turbulent, and you can't adjust it. You can hang something over it to deflect the current. It then isn't much worse than any other filter I have tried. It is hard for them to build their bubble nests with most filter set ups. But I think it is healthier to use a filter. There are some Betta tanks with Whisper Filters that may work for the Betta better. I have not seen some of the filters that others have found. I don't like underground filters for a Betta.

Some larger filters are a danger to a long finned Betta's fins, but I have never had any problem with any of the filters in smaller tanks.

Bettas prefer a long shallow tank but they do fine in my taller small tanks when they are young and healthy.

Just find the tank that appeals to you and your pocket. It won't likely be your last. You will learn by trial and error what works for you and your betta. I think I wouldn't necessarily recommend the most expensive set up, such as the Eclipses. I am just as happy with the less costly Betta and goldfish tanks.

very well put Sue. Info spot on as usual. Will I am just seconding this info for you, so you have more than one person saying that this is good for your betta .

Good luck and I'm sure you and your Mom will enjoy the company of the little fella!

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Excellent info Sue. Although I have to put a tiny spanner in the works. Some of my boys simply don't like filters. They become depressed if I turn them on. This is something you'll need to watch for. If he doesn't seem entirely happy, try turning it off. Might mean extra water changes, but in a tank that size, it isn't the end of the world.
25watt heaters are perfectly fine. I use them. I'd also recommend the larger tank.
P.

 

[Kyrielle]

Watch out for the heater going into "overdrive" though. When I first set up my tank (I have an Eclipse 3), the heater turned out to heat up the water about 2-3 degrees from what I set it on (which was 79). Not only that but the light added another degree or two, so that by the end of the day when I went to turn off the light, the tank was 84 degrees! Thankfully I noticed that before it stayed that way too long. I now have the little 25W set to 75. It's a good idea to get one that has a little temperature dial at the top so you know absolutely what it's supposed to be at...given a 2-3 degree margin.

 

[Will91]

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to the fish store tonight to check out the options.

One question I still have is in regards to filters. It seems these Eclipse systems might be too turbulent. When I used to have an aquarium some 25 years ago, I used to use a "corner filter" hooked up to an air pump. This was a simple square box submersed in the tank that you would stuff with white wool looking material as well as charcoal. Are these still made?

 

[Will91]

OK

Back from the fish store and PETCO. It seems the two popular brands are Eclipse and Mini-Bow. The eclipse uses some sort of water wheel filtration system and the Mini-Bow uses some sort of Whisper filter. From what I understand, both have tubes that go into the water for the intake. I don't know how turbulent either of them might be because neither place had one in operation.

PETCO had a hexagon Eclipse system for $29.99 but didn't include a heater.

Can anyone comment on which style filter might be less turbulent for the Betta?

 

[starrynightxxi]

i remember those filters! i had one in my goldfish tank when i was little. hated cleaning it out

i think a lot of people here use internal filters rather than hang on back (HOB) filters for their small betta tanks. i think whisper makes an internal filter, but i only use HOBs because i only have larger (10gallon +) tanks so i'm not sure on quality/waterflow etc. When I had my bettas in 2.5 tanks I did 100% water changes rather than filter them, but i'm sure that your mother, being older, will appreciate less work (unless you intend to do it).

If you don't get the info you want on filters here, you can try the hardware, beginner's questions, or tropical chit chat forums, too.

goodluck

 

[ileopard]

I would recommend a 5 USG tank with a Tetra Whisper filter and heater. Keep it at 78*F.

 

[Will91]

I would recommend a 5 USG tank with a Tetra Whisper filter and heater. Keep it at 78*F.

Mini-bow has a 5 gallon tank with a "Whisper power filter". I have only seen the bio wheel systems on the Eclipse tanks. Is the Whisper power filter completely submerged or does it hang on the back with some sort of waterfall style return system?

 

[jollysue]

There are sponge filters that are most often used for fry tanks to keep from sucking up the fry before they can handle swimming in currents. I have chosen to use the internal Whisper filters in the Mini Bows, although I have some nice Eclipse systems in storage. As Miss Dib Dabs said, some Bettas just will be terribly unhappy with filters.

I recommended the shatterproof heaters because they are the higher end heater and will be more reliable and won't break.

I recommended flourescent bulbs because they don't burn as hot, last longer, and run more cheaply, as well as have a nicer light, imo.

75 degrees because there is more margin for error.

I agree w/ ileopard, with one fish a 5 usg with a nice hood, light, filter, and heater would make a nice home for a Betta that would like room. In that case working toward a nice live plant set up makes a great way for the gardner to do it in an arm chair. For an elderly woman to be carrying around a 3-5 usg tank to change water may be a bit much. For the five usg you may need a syphon water changer. Look at Python.

Again you and your mom will listen to the differing ideas and discover from trial and error what works for you and your Betta. But your Betta will help you.

<<<Thanks, Nevergone.

 

[jollysue]

Tetra filter makes both internal filters and hang on external filters. I have two styles of internal Tetra filters: The ones that come with the MiniBow (the jr) and the 10i. For the 5 usg I would get the 10i. Remember that the 5 usg will be fairly heavy and clumsy to carry around for water changes. I would get my mother a Python water syphon. Whisper also makes larger external hang on filters. The Eclipse for $29 is a good deal, and the filter is VERY easy to service. It is possible to devert the water current, but there is no way to eliminate it with a filter that I know.

The Eclipse is a bio wheel system.

 

[Will91]

Tetra filter makes both internal filters and hang on external filters. I have two styles of internal Tetra filters: The ones that come with the MiniBow (the jr) and the 10i. For the 5 usg I would get the 10i. Remember that the 5 usg will be fairly heavy and clumsy to carry around for water changes. I would get my mother a Python water syphon. Whisper also makes larger external hang on filters. The Eclipse for $29 is a good deal, and the filter is VERY easy to service. It is possible to devert the water current, but there is no way to eliminate it with a filter that I know.

The Eclipse is a bio wheel system.

Thank you. I just took a look at the Whisper site at the 10i. This filter really looks big. Would it take up an excessive amount of room in the MiniBow 5 tank?

Can I use the Whisper power filter that comes with the MiniBow 5 or is this likely to be just as turbulent as the bio wheel on the Eclipse system?

 

[liz2]

I still got one of those corner plastic things in my box of aqua bits. Used to have a tank of guppies in my kids room yonks ago. But of course the fish bred as they do and then over the weeks disappeared. Kids really upset until one day I noticed a very large guppy swimming about in the plastic corner box. One of the babies must have got in kids were delighted!

 

[jollysue]

The MiniBow should come with a filter. All filters I am familiar with cause some turbulence. Water and air turbulence are part of the operation and increase the nitrifying, etc., bacterial load which are part of the nitrogen cycle that breaks down the harmful ammonia and nitrates which poison the fish. Filters do more than filter out sediments in the water.

Whisper is recommended for fish that want less turbulence. The Jr filter that comes with the MinBow tanks may be a bit smaller than the Whisper 10i. An internal filter, of course, takes up more room than an external filter. No way I know of yet to get around the fact that filters cause water disturbance and take up some room somewhere. . There is some kind of filter I have seen mentioned in the forum that can be adjusted down. I am not familiar with it. You can try asking in the hardware forum, if no one offers the information here.

With the five gallon square tank you could more easily deflect the water flow, even putting in a divider to separate it off. But actually that is a lot of diy to start with and a simple set up might be more reasonable to start, unless you are the project do it yourselfer.

I do have smaller Bettas in 2 usg bowls. They require frequent water changes to be healthful. And the heater and lights are a whole other question then.

Sorry I missed the part about the 5 gallon MiniBow. My MiniBows are 2.5 and 3 gallons. Whatever filter comes with the MiniBow of whatever gallons is no doubt sufficient, and I would not look to get one different--unless it is undergravel. Then I would go for the 5 gallon square regular tank and customize it--put the various parts together.