Trading Spaces

[Cake]

Almost two weeks ago I purchased my first Betta (named Cat by my 3 yr old) and while picking up something for his tank at Wal*Mart, walked out with a second tank to house the fish I was compelled to save. Rescue fish didn’t make it more than 48 hours but the tank was cleaned and quickly re-filled with “Dog†from the same store where Cat was purchased. Both seem to be thriving. Cat is in a 10 gallon, Dog in a 5 and both have Tetra Whisper Filters, although only the one in the 5 gallon is adjustable.

Dog has been torpedo swimming in his tank after the initial adjustment and shows no signs of slowing down, while Cat seems content to amble around and hang out at the glass whenever he sees me. So I’m thinking of switching their tanks. My questions are…

1. Since the 5 gallon housed one sick fish and now a new one, how long should I wait and what precautions should I take? After all the tank setup/maintenance I’ve done over the last two weeks, I’d really like to just enjoy them for a day or two. Considering both Betta’s came from the same place where they were housed in a 1 gallon bowl with at least one plant and every fish they had looked fabulous, would it be safe to just flip flop them right now?
2. I’m afraid that the current in the 5 gallon is too strong for Cat but the Wal*Mart fish died after I’d turned it down overnight so I’m a little hesitant to try that again. How effective is the low flow?
3. If it doesn’t work and I have to switch them back, how much stress is this going to cause?

 

[Rediahs]

Bettas don't need filters at all. You could remove the filter and he would still be happy. They breathe air from the surface using a labrynth lung, evolved to let them survive in water with low oxygen content.

In fact they can't survive without access to the surface; if you watch them, you will see that at least every few minutes they will go up to the surface to take a gulp.

Most bettas hate current. They are happier in standing water, usually, but all bettas have different personalities, some of them quite strong, and some members on this forum have reported their bettas enjoy playing in the current - but most hate it.

 

[tetras4me]

and on top of that wal~mart is just a crappy place to buy fish!

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

^

 

[Cake]

Forget the Wal*Mart fish. I tried, he died and I now have two healthy ones to worry about. Can I assume that coming from the same place (NOT Wal*Mart if there is any confusion) they are both healthy and just switch tanks? Or do I need to wait a certain amount of time and thoroughly clean everything, again?

If I remove the filter, what’s a good cleaning schedule for a 5 gallon tank?

If it doesn’t work out like I hope and choose to switch back, are they going to be stressed from both moves?