Author Topic: Easier / best fish and tank? (Read 15744 times) 49 replies

jesnon · « **on:** June 16, 2014, 03:59:29 PM »

Helloo all.

One of my service users is going to be getting a fish tank. I'm just looking for some advice on what to get for him.

We need to spend as little as possible so I've been looking at second hand tanks online and cheaper set ups. He needs it to be relatively small to go in his room.

Because of this I was thinking a small tank and a betta would be the best idea? That way he just has one fish he can name and he might be able to interact more with the fish. Staff will be helping him to look after the tank and fish and I'm there a lot so have no concerns on that front.

Do you think that sounds like a good idea? Would any other fish be an idea? Are there any particularly good set ups anyone could recommend? What eider would he need for a betta?

Any help and suggestions would be appreciated!

ColinB · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2014, 04:12:49 PM »

Quote from: jesnon on June 16, 2014, 03:59:29 PM

What eider would he need for a betta?

Otherwise.... it sounds like a really good idea, to me.

jesnon · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2014, 04:18:13 PM »

Sorry! My phone is so bizarre sometimes with auto correct. .. What I meant there was else!! It constantly tries to correct always to airways and I noticed luckily before I posted that it had corrected something to suicide :-s!! You'd think it would go for the most used word but apparently not!

What kind of substrate do bettas need?

I'm planning to bring in some filter from my tank to help cycle the tank we eventually get or see if MA will give us some as that's down the road.

I found one tank that seemed the right size for only 8 pound in my area but haven't had a reply yet

Sue · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2014, 05:06:34 PM »

Bettas need shallow rather than deep tanks (I mean anything except some of the 'designer' tanks) as they need to breathe air and with a shallower tank they don't have as far to go.

For the betta, any substrate is fine; though if you want live plants choose the substrate with them in mind.

Filter - they don't like a flow that is too strong, but there are things you can do to reduce it if necessary.

They need things in the tank to keep them interested. Plants, real or silk; caves, decor they can swim through. But they need to be chosen carefully - silk plants rather than plastic if you go for fake; decor that is not rough or with sharp edges (file them smooth if necessary); and decor that has no holes a betta could get stuck in, because they will.

Food - a betta pellet is the best staple food. I soak mine before feeding as they do swell up. Live (frozen) food a couple of times a week. Don't feed too much. Bettas are greedy fish and will stuff themselves, causing bloat. They beg for food, so don't give in!

jesnon · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2014, 05:43:25 PM »

Thank you Sue! What's the smallest tank a betta could be in - am I right in thinking 20L? I think we'll just be getting fake plants and maybe just a moss ball or something just to keep things simpler

jesnon · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2014, 06:41:32 PM »

Would a tank like this suffice?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/aqua-optic-aquarium-fish-tank/1065514390

Sue · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2014, 07:04:12 PM »

That tank looks fine. And yes, 20 litres (or 5 US galls) is usually regarded as the minimum for a betta.

Make sure you get silk plants as plastic ones can have sharp edges which can damage a betta's fins. Unless the person who wants the tank is OK with live plants you are better sticking to fake.

Edit to add: nearly forgot - bettas should be kept slightly warmer than other tropical fish. 26/27 C is perfect for them.

jesnon · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2014, 10:03:49 PM »

Great thank you Sue will start the ball rolling with this. . I'm a bit excited considering it's not for me haha

Resa · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2014, 10:12:25 PM »

Hi Jesnon

I think a betta is a lovely idea

They are so friendly and will come to greet you at the tank. My Rafe was such a beautiful, gentle boy. He used to spend ages making bubble nests too, so don't forget to tell your new fishy owner not to panic if loads of spawny looking bubbles appear on the waters surface.
Other than that and everything Sue has said, the hardest job will be choosing one.....there are some really lovely ones out there....good luck with it all

jesnon · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:35:13 AM »

Thank you Resa! I think I'm going to get very jealous! Hehe.

I'm trying to decide if it might actually be easier for me to set up the tank initially at my house in order to cycle it and then empty it (keeping the filter wet of course) to take to the home (thus sort of doing the big water change). That way I don't have to take the ammonia and testing kits to the house and can keep an eye on how it's running. Hmm. Or it might just be easier to set it up there. If I'm using media from my own tank or MA how long would it take to cycle theoretically? And should I put some new media in my tank in preparation??

Sue · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2014, 10:22:13 AM »

It shouldn't take more than a week with mature media - that's the theory anyway. One betta in 20 litres is not heavily stocked, so you wouldn't need to cycle with 3ppm ammonia. 2 or even 1ppm would be enough. Though I'd go with 2 on the grounds that I'd rather grow too many bacteria than not enough if I couldn't be there every day to test once there is a fish in the tank.

Would you be able to test the tank every day if it was at it's new home? If not, I'd cycle the filter at your home. With mature media, set the tank up, put the mature media in it and add 2ppm ammonia. Test the next day. It might possibly be down to double zeros already. If not, follow the fishless cycling method, it should only take a few days.
Add new media to your filter at the same time you take the old out. Don't take more than a third of yours.

jesnon · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2014, 10:27:05 AM »

That would be great if it only takes up to a week, it would be quite a difficult thing to explain why he didn't have his fish yet!

Great advice as always Sue, I think since I won't be there every day it may be best to cycle it at home. Though I could arrange for it to be a week I'm there more frequently I guess. Will let you guys know how it goes!

Sue · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2014, 04:46:25 PM »

I have just cleaned my betta's tank, and that reminded me of something I've forgotten to mention.

I know you have endlers and if they are anything like mine they will show a great interest in what you are up to when you do a water change; so much so there is a danger of sucking one up.
Betta's are just as nosey. While there is no danger of sucking a fish that big through the siphon tube it is very easy to catch their fins and rip a chunk off. I've done it. You can't take your eyes of them for an instant unless you position the siphon tube somewhere they can't get at it, like in the middle of a plant.

chris213 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2014, 07:10:13 PM »

my shrimp like to do the same the thing when i am cleaning the bottom of the tank , they nearly climb into the siphon tube

Sue · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2014, 07:13:11 PM »

In the tank with cherry shrimp, I have to go through the bucket of old water with a jug, rescuing the shrimps that end up in there. Everything from full sized adults to tiny babies, usually at least half a dozen. It takes nearly as long to do a water change on that 50 litre tank as it does the 180 litre.

chris213 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2014, 07:14:58 PM »

perhaps its like a day out at the fun fair for them shrimps idea of a roller coaster

Sue · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2014, 07:24:40 PM »

I've wondered that too

They are dreadful creatures, they won't move. I have to pinch the tube to stop the water flow then nudge them out of the way

jesnon · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2014, 07:04:42 PM »

Thanks for that point Sue!! I have that problem with my endlers, luckily I've never sucked one up in the siphon tube but I'll be extra careful around the Betta.

I'm now a little concerned as I spoke to someone today who referred to Bettas as 'Siamese Dying Fish' and said they had no luck with them... Please tell me that this isn't a general idea of them!? I really don't want to get him a fish that dies really quickly, he'd be devastated!

I asked someone to pick up things for him and they bought a siphon, however I really don't understand how it works! It appears that you're supposed to attach it to the pump somehow??

I think it's an Algarde one like this:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/fish/fish-tank-equipment---maintenance/fish-tank-cleaning/aquarium-power-cleaner

Unfortunately they also bought a filter for a tank too - I think they must have gotten confused by my note to them / I wasn't clear enough so I need to take these back eventually too. Being a non-car driver I couldn't get the bits myself though! They did good otherwise!

One other thing I still need to get them is a heater. What would be a good inexpensive brand for a 21l tank?

Sue · « **Reply #18 on:** June 23, 2014, 07:29:09 PM »

I've not used that type of siphon tube so I'm afraid I can't help. I'm currently using a wine making siphon tube, minus the cup shaped thing from the bottom. I find it easier on sand.

I have, and have previously had, 25 watt heaters for my betta and quarantine tanks. My tanks are quite shallow so I've had to get short ones. Sera, Visi-therm and Jager all make the right sized heaters but I'm not sure if they are what you would class as cheap.

I've had my current betta since the end of April last year. Yes I have also had some that only lived a few months but I've also had some that have lived over a year. For the very fancy types, 2 years is a good age especially when you take into account they can be the best part of a year old when you get them - it can take that long for the finnage to develop fully so that they are desirable.
But I do wonder if the people who claim they don't live long are keeping them in unheated, unfiltered jars. You hear about some keeping them in 2 litre (half gallon) tanks or even vases

jesnon · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2014, 08:11:53 PM »

Quote from: Sue on June 23, 2014, 07:29:09 PM

I've had my current betta since the end of April last year. Yes I have also had some that only lived a few months but I've also had some that have lived over a year. For the very fancy types, 2 years is a good age especially when you take into account they can be the best part of a year old when you get them - it can take that long for the finnage to develop fully so that they are desirable.
But I do wonder if the people who claim they don't live long are keeping them in unheated, unfiltered jars. You hear about some keeping them in 2 litre (half gallon) tanks or even vases

That's very true! That's reassured me somewhat, I really don't want the fish to die too quickly! Hopefully they'll live a long happy life in his tank!

Thanks for your comments about heaters, I think I'll order one online for him. We're collecting the tank this week, very exciting! In the end I'm going to set it up in his room, but will be taking some filter from my tank. The problem is I'll be travelling around an hour and a half. Will the filter be ok in a normal fish bag like that? Which reminds me I need to get a fish bag too!

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Easier / Best Fish And Tank?

Easier / Best Fish And Tank?

Author Topic: Easier / best fish and tank? (Read 15744 times) 49 replies

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