Ugghh!!! I am so frustrated!!!!

[greenday04]

:mad2

As you may know I have a 2 1/2g tank w/one male betta. The ammonia levels is finally down to .25, nitrites haven't shown up yet but it has only been 2 1/2 weeks.

I bought a Penn Plex gravel vac than runs off the air pump. It doesn't work!!! It just stirs up the gunk and doesn't have enough suction to get the stuff in the filter. Is it because the tank is not deep enough, not enough water, help?!!!

I am seriously thinking of upgrading to a 10g tank! I would think that would be a whole lot easier!! Now that I know I would definately do a fishless cycle and then put him in there after it was done. The fish cycle is very frustrating and nerve racking!! I cant go bigger than 10g as don't have the space.

Any advice would be wonderful!!! I love my fish and don't want to give him up but sheez! I have the patience but am slowly loosing it!!

(underground filter by the way)
Thanks!!!

[Oddball~]

......... 10 gallon for a betta? WOW.....not sure about the air filter vacuum thingy...sry!

[greenday04]

I know a 10g for a betta sounds big, but would like to eventually get some cories and maybe some neon tetras. I am just frustrated with such a small tank that I can't work in it is driving me crazy.

Just need a simple way of getting his poop and left over food out. I don't feed him much, just once a day a small pinch. I am pretty much getting the cycling thing and know I need to keep it up, can't wait until cycled.

Thanks again!!

[Swimfins]

get the ten gallon, plant it, add your betta and some neons, and a couple dwarf cories. Its more fun. :)

[daveedka]

A small siphon type gravel vac may work, but may require some DIY to get it small enough. the siphon type are really the easiest and most effective. Something I do on occasion is stir everything up with a turkey baster, and hen sweep the tank with a brine shrimp net. Brine nets will pick up a ot of stuff.

10g for a beatta is an excellent idea IMO. Bigger tanks are easier due to stability, and it gives you the cory option as well.
dave

[ArkyLady]

If you can go up to a 10 gallon, that would be great. They are much easier to work with than the smaller tanks. Cories with a betta make for a very cute and interesting tank. My all time favorite 10 gallon setup :)

You could try making your own gravel vac using clear hard plastic tubing and clear flexible tubing. Just cut off a piece of the hard tubing that's just taller than your tank, then slip some flexible tubing over it long enough to reach into a bucket. You can get small tubing and get more gunk out without sucking all the water out too fast. I have one I made with 1/4" tubing that I use for cleaning my fry tanks.

[greenday04]

After the 1st of the year, which will be well enough to cycle the current tank I will definately get a 10g and cycle it 1st. I love neon tetras and have ever since my dad has had them since I was a kid!

Any specs on a 10g tank I need to know would be great!! Can I get one with all I need and what price range am I looking at?

Thanks again!! :D

PS another note, guess at that time I should keep the 2 1/2g for a hospital/quarantine tank, right? :confused:

[Blinky]

10g tanks are great, and probably just about the cheapest to buy - they're actually less expensive (due to supply and demand) than a 5g.
Some places it's hard to get a 10 with a fluorescent canopy, or it's more expensive - If you find one with an incandescent canopy you can use screw-in fluorescents to replace the bulbs.
A small heater (25W or 50W) for the tank shouldn't cost much, and filters for 10g (again, I'm guessing because it's one of the most popular tank sizes) are fairly cheap as well.
Your betta will look SO much better in a 10g. It sounds like you'll have a really nice tank :D