Betta problem. Need advice!

Not to be mean, but your 5g is overstocked... Glass cats do need a bigger tank. Having just the 2 mystery snails & your plakat is better.

Does the 2g have filtration? I'm a little confused when you say you added the snail to help "clean up". Honestly, snails poop as much as they eat, which doesn't help keep a tank clean.

What do you feed your bettas? Hikari bio-gold pellets are favored by many betta owners as a staple. Feeding 3-4 pellets once a day is plenty & there shouldn't be extra pellets floating in the water to decay.
 
The strips aren't terribly accurate. I found this out the hard way! If you have the money I would highly recommend getting some kind of liquid test kit. The api master test kit was recommend to me. And it really made a difference. The test strip only showed trace nitrites while the liquid showed it was well over 1.0. If you're water parameters are off the fish won't be able to heal.
 
No, the 2 gallon does not have a filter. I'm more than interested in any acquiring any info on small ones that might fit in it. Though the lid might prove a problem.

From lots of reading online before getting any fish, I garnered that snail were good for keeping tanks clean and should be a staple in any tank (and I just think they're cool), and that 5 fish in a 5 gallon shouldn't be a problem with regular water changes (which i do every week) So far in the 5 gallon there has been no problems and I've had it for a few months now.
While I would love to get a bigger tank, right now that is just not possible for me. Some time in the future it may.
 
mel the newbie said:
No, the 2 gallon does not have a filter. I'm more than interested in any acquiring any info on small ones that might fit in it. Though the lid might prove a problem.

From lots of reading online before getting any fish, I garnered that snail were good for keeping tanks clean and should be a staple in any tank (and I just think they're cool), and that 5 fish in a 5 gallon shouldn't be a problem with regular water changes (which i do every week) So far in the 5 gallon there has been no problems and I've had it for a few months now.
While I would love to get a bigger tank, right now that is just not possible for me. Some time in the future it may.
Click to expand...
The link you originally posted said the tank included an undergravel filter ... are you not using that? If you are, there could be a lot of waste collecting under the filter plate (one of the drawbacks of a UGF system). How long has the tank been set up?

If you're not using the UGF, you could add a sponge filter using an air pump and air line. The cover should already have an opening for the airline since they're also used for UGFs.

Or you could modify/cut the cover to fit a hang-on-back filter like the Azoo Palm and Red Sea Nano Art Deco. Those are both rated for up to 3 gallons. They're also identical, but sold under different names at different stores.
 
I use a gravel vac, but it's a crappy one. I plan on getting a better one this Monday. The 2 gallon has been set up for a month, maybe a little longer.

Yes I do have the undergravel filter set up, and I did notice some buildup under it when I did the entire break down and cleaned everything when the betta got sick.
I'm not entirely impressed with that kind of filter. I prefer the kind that is in my 5 gallon. The water is drawn up and over a carbon filter and pours over this bio wheel.
 
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H2Ogal said:
The link you originally posted said the tank included an undergravel filter ... are you not using that? If you are, there could be a lot of waste collecting under the filter plate (one of the drawbacks of a UGF system). How long has the tank been set up?

If you're not using the UGF, you could add a sponge filter using an air pump and air line. The cover should already have an opening for the airline since they're also used for UGFs.

Or you could modify/cut the cover to fit a hang-on-back filter like the Azoo Palm and Red Sea Nano Art Deco. Those are both rated for up to 3 gallons. They're also identical, but sold under different names at different stores.
Click to expand...

:iagree: excellent info.

Hydro sponge filters are cheap and use the same airline & air stone used on an undergravel filter. I picked up a Hydro-1 fir $12 but I think you can find them cheaper. The best part is it doesn't create a lot of flow so it's ideal for bettas.
 
So, I took H2Ogal's advice and bought a red sea nano filter. With the help of my boyfriend and a bit of rigging, we were able to install it quite nicely.

I would like to post pictures of the process, if you guys don't mind (sorry if they don't work properly).

Step 1: Consisted of cutting off the lip of the lid
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Step 2: We cut off a section of the plexiglass cover that sat on the lid
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Step 3: Last we cut off a section of the light lid
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End result
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I'm very happy with the filter. And, it seems that all other users love it too based on their reviews.
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