Suitable Tank?

[kharma2815]

I recently acquired a 35L (UK) BiUbe tank that I had intended to use as a community tank. After some research and much advice from the forums I realised that it really isn't suitable for a community tank (especially not for the type of community that I had in mind).

What I was wondering is, would it be suitable to house a Betta? I've been doing some research and I know they can live quite happily in quite small tanks so 35L shouldn't be a problem. At the moment it has a rock substrate which I assume I will have to change to either sand or smooth gravel so as not to damage their finnage and it also has a heater and filter which also works as an oxygenator.

I would really hate this tank to go to waste (although, if it comes down to it, I guess I can always use it as a quarantine tank providing I keep the filter media in my other mature tank) and have completely fallen in love with Betta's so any advice would be much appreciated.

Oh, the tank looks like this: http/www.koibitz.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=744

Thank you.

 

[liz2]

That would be fine for a male betta. I tend to put glass pebbles in mine as it is easier to keep clean but as you said as long as there are no sharp bits sand or gravel is OK. We will of course need photos of the tank with its occupant

 

[ibbledibble]

a betta would love a tank like that, plenty of space to swim around in. you would probably want to reduce the water level slightly to reduce the flow from the filter as bettas like fairly still water and don't need well oxygenated water as they breath atmospheric air from the surface.

the sharp rock/gravel in the biorbs/biubes is actually the filtration media i believe, so might not be best to change it? but maybe you could create a riccia or java moss mat to cover the whole bottom? that way the filter media could still do its job, but would not be a risk to the betta's fins.

basically done like this, but laid flat on the base of the tank rather than on a wall of the tank. Riccia can be done in the same way

personally i would go for the riccia as it can look absolutely amazing in large expanses

the "grass" in this photo is submerged riccia,

p.s i make no claim on the photo, merely using it for illustrative purposes

 

[kharma2815]

a betta would love a tank like that, plenty of space to swim around in. you would probably want to reduce the water level slightly to reduce the flow from the filter as bettas like fairly still water and don't need well oxygenated water as they breath atmospheric air from the surface.

the sharp rock/gravel in the biorbs/biubes is actually the filtration media i believe, so might not be best to change it? but maybe you could create a riccia or java moss mat to cover the whole bottom? that way the filter media could still do its job, but would not be a risk to the betta's fins.

basically done like this, but laid flat on the base of the tank rather than on a wall of the tank. Riccia can be done in the same way

personally i would go for the riccia as it can look absolutely amazing in large expanses

the "grass" in this photo is submerged riccia,

p.s i make no claim on the photo, merely using it for illustrative purposes

That's a brilliant idea, thank you. The tank is about 3/4 of the way through cycling (5ppm ammonia to 0ppm in approx. 72 hours and nitrate and nitrites through the roof) so I really don't want to have to change the substrate and then start all over again - it's taken me 6 weeks to get this far!

 

[littlest]

I was going to say the same thing about the Biube gravel. I know in the Biorb it is actually filter media, so presumably it's the same in the Biube.
The Riccia is a good idea, or (an easier option but less attractive) you could put glass marbles, smooth pebbles or similar on top of the gravel.
I know people keep bettas successfully in Biorbs, so it should be the same for Biubes.
You probably want to get some silk plants for the betta.
I know they sell Biube/Biorb- branded plants that go round the central column bit, but they're plastic and the plastic can damage their fins.

 

[kharma2815]

We will of course need photos of the tank with its occupant

I'll try but I'm a bit of a dunce when it comes to putting pictures in posts

Using marbles or glass beads as a substrate is something I honestly never even considered. Is there anything special I need to get or can I just the ones found in normal shops?

 

[kharma2815]

I was going to say the same thing about the Biube gravel. I know in the Biorb it is actually filter media, so presumably it's the same in the Biube.
The Riccia is a good idea, or (an easier option but less attractive) you could put glass marbles, smooth pebbles or similar on top of the gravel.
I know people keep bettas successfully in Biorbs, so it should be the same for Biubes.
You probably want to get some silk plants for the betta.
I know they sell Biube/Biorb- branded plants that go round the central column bit, but they're plastic and the plastic can damage their fins.

Silk plants instead of plastic? *adds to list of Betta requirements*

Also, I know I'm a pest, but what do they like regarding water temp, ph levels, light levels, food, etc.?

I've been able to find some info on the net but it all seems to be contradictory and none of the books I've looked at are much help. I just really don't want to screw it up and make the little guys new home as comfortable as possible for him (that is, of course, when the tank has finished cycling and I've actually got one).

 

[ibbledibble]

Also, I know I'm a pest, but what do they like regarding water temp, ph levels, light levels, food, etc.?

I've been able to find some info on the net but it all seems to be contradictory and none of the books I've looked at are much help. I just really don't want to screw it up and make the little guys new home as comfortable as possible for him (that is, of course, when the tank has finished cycling and I've actually got one).

you're not a pest, its good to know you care about doing the right thing for him.

water temp should be on the warmer side for betta's between about 76-82 (25-29)

they are happy in most PH's (within reason) its more important that it be stable, so don't be tempted to use a PH adjuster that would just cause swings.

light is pretty much up to you unless you have live plants, doesn't the biube come with lighting?

bettas tend to do well on pellets, its easy to control how many you give them