New to bettas, filters ok?...

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moboe

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Feb 17, 2004
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Thanks for all the help thus far with my 20g. My husband and I are now adding a 6g to our home, and would like to have a betta. We've never had a betta before, and have done lots of research. We still have a couple of questions!

1. I've seen some posts talking about a filter being "too powerful" for a betta. Our 6g has the Eclipse Filtration system (the Eclipse 6 tank put out by Marineland, with the lighting and filter combined in one hood). Will this be ok for a betta?

2. We'd like to have the betta and live plants, pretty densely planted. Any opinions on how much more we could add? We're thinking 4 tetras (neon or glowlight) and a cory or 2 for clean up.

3. Can live plants be added immediately, and withstand fishless cycling? Would live plants be beneficial to fishless cycling?

4. Somewhat related...my 20g tank will soon have a Penguin 170 filter. If we ever wanted to put a betta in that tank (small fish population) would the 170 be too powerful for it?

Thanks in advance. I've learned so much already, and have appreciated all the great advice I've received thus far. Hoping to benefit from some of those Betta lovers out there!

Margaret
 
In a 6 gallon tank I would stick to a light fish load. Cories need to be kept in a minimum of 3-4 or they won't be very happy fish. If I were I would add the betta and 4 cories and sticj to just that. The bettas are kind of slow eaters, IME, and the tetras can get nippy with those flowing fins. The cories get their own food of sinking pellets and don't bother the betta.

Plants are a good idea. They will give the betta a place to go if the filter output is bothering him.
 
Sushi didn't mind the filter, and would hide in the plants when he didn't want to be bothered with it. I also had it on light flow. Every once in awhile I would catch him playing in it. :D

I would keep the flow to light if possible. I personally agree if you go with the 170 you should have lots of plants in there for him to hide in. :)
 
The major problem with Eclipses (I have the 12 gallon version) is that they have no way to reduce the flow rate. It produces a strong current that is quite good in terms of filtration, but is not the best for slow moving fish.

That being said, it is still possible to have a betta in an Eclipse. I keep my bettas in one, and it took them a while to get used to the flow, but they are fine now. Just make sure to add lots of decorations/plants/rocks/etc to disrupt the flow and give the betta somewhere peaceful to rest.

Although plants do will help with cycling, I do not recommend the Eclipse series for serious plant enthuiasts. My Eclipse has only about 1.25 wpg, which is too weak for most plants. However, I have had good luck with java moss, java fern, aponogeton hybrid, and water sprite in that tank, and I'm sure crypts would work as well.

If you really want plants, I would suggest a set-up similar to mine (check out my 5.5 gallon under My Tanks in my sig). I have decent fluorescent lighting and adjustable filtration, 2 things my Eclipse lacks. In it, I keep a female paradise fish and 3 julii cories. A betta and 3 cories would not be a problem in a 5.5 gallon, especially because they are all air-breathers.
 
Thanks to all for your help. Celura, my sympathies on your loss of Sushi. I read that thread when he was sick, and wished I could help.

I think we'll go ahead and try the Eclipse 6 with the betta. We will plant it abundantly, with live and silk plants. My ancharis (sp?) plant in my 20g with a 15w flourescent bulb has been there less than a week, and has new shoots and roots. I thought I could take some shoots from it and put them in the Eclipse. Per other information in this forum, we'll stay away from plastic plants, too.

I am considering cancelling my order for the Penguin 170, though. It was recommended to me for the 20g tank, but I know the 125 says it's good to 30g, so maybe it will be sufficient. Then, if I have to put the Betta in there (or we get one for it specifically) he won't be bothered by too much flow, hopefully.

Another question...is some sort of air flow (ie. an air stone connected to a pump) a requirement of a healthy tank set up? I have one in my 20g, but am thinking of taking it out. I always thought you needed air bubbles in there, but have since read that the air bubbles don't put oxygen in the water, but just create a current. Also, I don't think the Eclipse 6 comes with a pump and air stone, so if it is necessary, we'd have to add it to that. So, are air bubbles necessary for a healthy tank?

Thanks to all! Aquarius, your tank information was so helpful!

Margaret
 
The bubble stone is good if

1) You like the look of the pretty bubbles
2) The tank temp is really hot due to a hot summer day etc... and more oxygen is needed in the water. The bubbles don't create oxygen per se but they breka the surface of the water and this leads to more oxygen absorption from the air.

Otherwise the HOB filter will create enough disturbance to get oxygen into the water and the live plants will contributre oxygen as well.
 
Thanks, TKOS! I really appreciate the help. Bubbles will stay in 20g, but we'll only consider it for the 6g.

Now, if only the decision of what filter to get for the 20g was that easy! AC, Penguin, Emperor...yikes!
 
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