Betta Tank (hex 5 or 6 gal)

StarStruck8

StarStruck8

AC Members
Jun 9, 2008
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Central NJ
Real Name
Lindsay
My mom has had a betta in one of those vase/plant tanks for 4 years and after telling her about my upgrade to a 28 gallon she has decided to get an actual (although smaller) filtered tank for him. I'm debating between an eclipse hex 5 and the eclipse 6. I read that some bettas don't like high water flow, so I'm wondering if the taller hex 5 is better since the water will be calmer towards the bottom.

I'm planning on giving her a silk plant or 2 to give him some hiding spots as well.

Oh, and I was also wondering what water conditioners people used with their bettas..I thought I read somewhere that some aren't good for bettas. I didn't think to ask until recently, but somehow my mom has had this fish for 4 years without using any kind of water conditioner. :headshake2:

Thanks!
 
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I just moved my male betta from a bowl into my 29-gallon tank about 4 days ago. Nothing really special about the water conditions. I use API Stress Coat, just because that's what's readily available. My water stays at about 77 degrees, and I actually have a Biowheel 300 running at full capacity. The betta stays away from the filter flow, but he enjoys swimming around the tank. He is much happier in there, and his color and finnage are looking better everyday.

I know that some shy away from keeping a male betta in with other fish, but he was in with other fish when I bought him, and he's shown no aggression since I moved him in. I am watching closely for any problems, but thus far there are none.

I have to agree with jpappy789...the more room the better! He will thank you for his new home. Just acclimate him slowly and carefully. I don't know what the conditions were like in the vase, but good, cycled, filtered water might be a bit of a shock at first. Take your time, and things should go wonderfully!
 
You get points with me!

+2 for the silk plant and not a plastic one to rip his fins.
+2 for helping your mom get a bigger tank for him, although they do like the vase/flower/plant deals
+321321 others just cause

As for water conditioner, when I live in the country, I NEVER conditioned any of my water and never lost fish, now that Ive moved to the city, I have to. As far as a water conditioner for use now, Stress Coat is great. Prime and Bettas dont do well together, I know :-( There are disolving tabs for bettas called bowl buddies you could use. But Im a fan of the stress coat. Wish you the best!
 
I have a betta in an Eclipse hex 5. He is a veiltail and used to get stuck around the filter intake on occasion. Put a sponge around it and you're green.
 
i would go wtih the hex 5. just a personal preference, but you can find some pretty good deals on them. on my hex 5, the flow of the filter it pretty much constant throughout the entire tank, but that is because it is barebottom with no decor (fry/QT tank). if you add some caves and plants, they will help break up the flow of the water and give him a couple of places to rest.
 
I wish I bought another hex 5 when they were on sale for $30 at Petco!

I ordered the eclipse 6 from Foster&Smith last night, but maybe I should order the hex 5 for my mom, keep the eclipse 6 for a fry tank, and get a betta for my hex 5...oh the temptation! :perv:

Thanks for the replies everyone!
 
StarStruck8 said:
I wish I bought another hex 5 when they were on sale for $30 at Petco!
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LOL.. that's what I did. I just HAD to have a second betta. I found a Delta that was gorgeous, so I went straight to Petco during that sale to pick up a second Hex tank. The price was $20 cheaper than the first one I bought a long time ago, and I was happy with it. So now I've got two very handsome fishes for different rooms that I spend time in the most.

As for water flow, I give them both a lot of plants which buffers the water movement a lot. Use some decorative wood, arches, bridges, caves.... Throw in some floating baby-saving plants at the top, too. That also helps settle down the water coming in. This lets them hang out in pockets of relatively still water whenever they want to .. in betwixt different things.

At least some Bettas enjoy having this contrast in water movement, from my experience. I had a Betta years ago in a community tank who'd swim real fast into a wide batch of bubbles and actually float among them, letting the bubbles lift him all the way up to the top. Back and forth, up and down... the silly fish. Once he'd worn himself out, he would weave himself through some leafy plants and let his fins drape against the foliage for a while as he rested up to go play again. It was delight to watch him being so happy and playful.

If the current is truly too much, you could get a long, leafy plastic plant. Separate the strands from the base and tuck the bottom ends into the filter, itself. Attach it to whatever you can find.. even the filter cartridge might work... depends on the filter. Let the rest of the plant spill out along with the outflowing water, to slow it down. It'll glide more along the plant and not splash so hard into the tank. Or... float some cork bark over there.. would do the same thing.
 
i have never heard of or seen any documented fact that Prime is bad for any fish. Odd.
 
rbishop said:
i have never heard of or seen any documented fact that Prime is bad for any fish. Odd.
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Prime is awesome, agreed. Smells like rotten eggs, but it's awesome. =)
 
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