Few questions...

D

Domms

AC Members
Dec 14, 2004
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Heber City, Utah
Hello, I was thinking about taking the undergravel filter out of my 55 gallon tank and wondered how I might go about doing this. Assuming of course it won't hurt my fish to do so. Can I just take all the decor out and then lift the filter out with the fish still in there? Or should I put them in a bucket? They aren't small fish so I don't worry about losing one of them in the gravel or anything. I think I'm mostly worried about the possibility of all the crap coming up into the water and killing or hurting my fish in some way. Any advice on how to do this or reasons I shouldn't will be appreciated.

Also, I just set up the 10 gallon tank I've had in my closet for months now. I'm thinking of putting a betta in it after cycling of course. What else could I put in there that shouldn't conflict with the betta and won't overstock the tank? I made that mistake with my 55 so when my fish get bigger I am going to set up the 29 gallon tank that has also been in my closet for months. Or if I am lucky a bigger tank will come my way! :D

Thank you!
 
As all things with bettas, it depends on the betta. They have such unique personalities! I keep two female guppies with my betta and they don't have any issues, but I wouldn't put males in with the betta. I have a friend who keeps pygmy cories and zebra danios with his betta and they make a wonderful contrast - the zippy, striped and dull-colored danios really offset the betta's graceful movements and bright colors.

I have read in previous posts that neon tetra are good to keep with bettas, as well, but haven't experienced it. In any case, I'd imagine cardinal tetra to be better simply because they are.... hardier, more hardy, something to that effect.

:OT: Nice to see someone else from Utah on the boards! (I live in Bountiful)
 
I would move your fish into another tank before doing this. Look under your tank if you can and see if there is any debris on the bottom of your tank. If there is, you should definately take out your fish. In my experience, there usually is lots of debris.

When I took out my undergravel filter, there was a debris storm. You don't want any of this debris to get in your fish's gills.

So follow these steps:

1) Move you fish to a small tank or a bucket.
2) Take off your hood and lights.
3) Take out any rocks, plants, accessories, etc.
4) Siphon half the water out getting the gravel as best you can. Remove as much debris as possible. I look under the tank to see any spots I missed. Hopefully the bottom of the tank is visible. But you can guess if its not.
5) Take out the powerheads.
6) Remove the tubes if you can.
7) Pull up the filter pannel at a slow steady rate. It might also help to move the gravel to the other half od the tank. I would assume you have two filter plates?
8) Even out the gravel.
9) Fill your tank back up.

It may take several days for your tank to clear up. My tank was dirty for two days after taking out the filter. So plan on keeping your fish in a bucket or tank for that long. The water should be clear before you put them back in. Also do a water test to make sure your water is ok.

It is lilkely that there will be additional ammonia or nitrates after you take out the filter. So be sure to test your water and change it a few days after if needed. Siphoning well is very important.
 
Petra, thank you for the ideas on what I could put in there. I have no idea what any of those fish look like their behaviors or anything really. I've always had cichlids so I now have an idea of something to look at when I go to Petsmart tomorrow. Smaller community type fish is the new frontier for me.

It would seem finding people that live in Utah is pretty hard to do on most boards. I think you are the first I've known lived in Utah now that I think about it. I actually lived in the Roy/Ogden area until I was 22. Never liked the area so when I had the chance to get out of my mothers house for the third time and move to Heber and get a decent job driving truck I jumped at it. Best thing I ever did too. :D

Jonathan, thank you also for your advice on taking out the filter. I especially appreciate the step by step instructions. I can't forget something that way and regret it later on. I'm thinking about siphoning water from the tank into the 29 gallon that's in my closet and housing them in there for the few days. I think that would be best considering I can then take one of the filters off the 55 and put it on there.

Again, thank you both for your help! It really is appreciated!
Damien
 
Hello Domms...

I have kept Cory cats and otocinclus with my bettas very successfully. The betta will poke them around a bit at first..but then generally leave them alone after the initial introduction...in my experience anyway. But bettas each have their own "way" about them so you'll need to keep an eye on things for a bit to be sure. Make sure there are plenty of hiding places for them to get away from each other if they need to...

Oh, also, african dwarf frogs do well with my bettas. Make sure you don't get clawed frogs..they get very large and will eat your betta. Look for frogs that have webbing between thier front feet..those are ADFs. If they don't have webbed front feet..chances are they are clawed frogs.

Enjoy !!

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