Vim Fuego

[Amunet]

I think live plants would look gorgeous in it. I think they would probably do well since the tank is in front of a window. Get plants that would grow out of the tank, would look gorgeous. (least in my head it does heh)

 

[Iridescent]

I'm planning on lots of plants and some larger decorative rocks. I also brought home some driftwood for it that I have to get ready for the tank. I'm not sure how but I think I can just look it up online. I'm reluctant to use a filter because I believe that is how my dad killed my other betta, from running constant under gravel and regular strong filters non stop in a pretty much empty tank. He said the fish died of exhaustion.

 

[ReMz]

I'm planning on lots of plants and some larger decorative rocks. I also brought home some driftwood for it that I have to get ready for the tank. I'm not sure how but I think I can just look it up online. I'm reluctant to use a filter because I believe that is how my dad killed my other betta, from running constant under gravel and regular strong filters non stop in a pretty much empty tank. He said the fish died of exhaustion.

lol no.

bettas do not like strong current, but you cannot "overfilter" a tank. Just get the smallest hang on the back filter you can find. In 10 gallons, a whisper 10i (or similar HOB filter) will only cause current in about 1/3 of the tank. NOT filtering the tank is the stupid thing to do.

As far as driftwood goes. It will leak tanins into the water if you do not prepare it properly. No big deal, as they do not harm the fish.... but your water will turn yellowish. Best way to treat it is to get a very large pot and boil it for 20 minutes. Change the water, repeat, change water, repeat... until the water stays clear. If you cannot do that, you can rinse the wood really well under warm water. Then you can soak it in a large bucket and keep changing the water until the water stays clear.

If the wood is store bought and not just picked up by a river, you can just rinse it really well and throw it in the tank. The water will turn murky/yellow, but activated carbon in a filter will help remove this. With the carbon and regular water changes, it goes away.

Hope that helps.

 

[Iridescent]

Alright, I'll look into a filter. My dad said something about sticking the wood in the oven. (?)

 

[ReMz]

Alright, I'll look into a filter. My dad said something about sticking the wood in the oven. (?)

on very low heat. i believe less than 200 and you still have to watch really dry wood to make sure it doesn't start to go up in flames.

That is a method to sterilize the wood if you cannot boil it. However, is it wood from the petstore or did you find it?

 

[Dan-25]

Hi Mate glad to see the fish is in the tank now

just a couple of things to help you though -

definately get a heater mate -

if you dont buy a filter you will need to do daily water changes which will be a pain and also if there is no movement on the waters surface you will get a film on top of the water which may hinder the fish in taking breath from the surface. i know someone said you can fill the tank to the top but i would leave it at that level so it isnt as far for the betta to swim to get air.

on the filter situation if you do buy a filter that you cannot adjust the flow then just point the out let at one of the sides of the tank so it wil not be directly causing current across tank

hope this helps mate -

 

[Iridescent]

I just found the wood at a pond.

 

[ReMz]

Hi Mate glad to see the fish is in the tank now

just a couple of things to help you though -

definately get a heater mate -

if you dont buy a filter you will need to do daily water changes which will be a pain and also if there is no movement on the waters surface you will get a film on top of the water which may hinder the fish in taking breath from the surface. i know someone said you can fill the tank to the top but i would leave it at that level so it isnt as far for the betta to swim to get air.

on the filter situation if you do buy a filter that you cannot adjust the flow then just point the out let at one of the sides of the tank so it wil not be directly causing current across tank

hope this helps mate -

A 10 gallon tank that size is not "too far" for a betta to swim to get air. i think people get a bit carried away with this. There should be some plants (fake or real) for the betta to rest on though.

I'll laugh myself silly if someone can find me proof that a betta died because it couldn't get air by floating upwards 1 foot from the bottom of the tank. Adding plants to the tank gives the bettas more of a sense of security and they will rest in these spots at the tank surface. That is not an indicator that too much height is bad for your betta.

This does hold true for very tall hex tanks though if you cannot provide tall plants.

I just found the wood at a pond.

Then ideally you will want to try to boil it.

If you cannot do that, wash the wood really well. soak it for a bit. Then bake it. Using a grill on low heat and placing the wood in an aluminum tray with a bit of water in it is a little better method than the oven simply because the smell wont fill your house. Then you will want to keep soaking the wood if you are concerned with removing the tanins. As i said, tanins are not a big deal and some people prefer their tanks to have a slight discoloration due to it being more natural.

 

[Syphoniera]

Just wanted to suggest - everyone goes HOBs for Bettas in small tanks, which are great, but - laugh if you will - both my super deltas have old-fashioned box filters with adjustable flow connectors.
They do filter a small tank like a 10 gallon reasonably well while allowing bubblenesting and create virtually no current so blowing sideways is not an issue.
And one sometimes loves to play in the bubbles, repeatedly swimming over to throw himself into the stream to sink in a fluster of finnage, circle around and do it again.
I swear I've seen him grinning, but he is definitely the most active Betta I've got or have seen...
Box filters do take up room and can be a little hard to conceal unless lots of plants and smooth upright rocks/slate are used, but I'm surprised these appear to never be considered in the case of low-current Bettas.
Just a thought...

 

[LauraFrog]

I'm with everybody else, definitely get a filter. A betta can survive without one but corydoras can't. If you want cory cats in there you will need a filter.