Filters, Bettas, and Driftwood?

[tomm10]

I've got questions on all three.

I have an 8 gallon hex tank that I am setting up for three Panda Corys and a Betta. I have a Fluval 104 filter in there which does a fine job of filtering but does not disturb the surface of the water. the tank has one radican sword in it right now and will have maybe one more plant. So my first question is:

1. Do I need an air pump/air stone to introduce more air into the tank or will the plants produce enough oxygen into the water for the corys? There is 20 watts in the form of compact flourescents for lighting.

2. What should I be looking to feed the betta? Betta bites for a regular staple with some frozen bloodworms for treats?

3. Lastly, I bought a piece of driftwood from the LFS to use as the lone centerpiece in this tank. It is anchored to a piece of slate and it looks like it has been bleached or sandblasted or something by the manufacturer. I rinsed it well and placed it in the tank. The problem is, after 24 hours in the tank the ph is at 6.5. My other tank, with no ph altering decor, is at a steady 7.2. Should this pass after a while? How long? Do I need to soak this thing for months? If this requires a bunch of effort, I'll just get a fake rock and yank the wood.

 

[OrionGirl]

Driftwood will reduce the pH via tannins. It's pretty normal, and will keep the tank pretty steady at that pH. 6.5 isn't bad, as long as it's stable. The wood probably will continue to leach tannins for quite some time.

Betta bites is fine, and I offer blood worms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and the occassional bite of earthworm to my betta as treats. He really likes the frozen blood worms. I've never had much luck with the freeze dried foods--they tend to crumble to dust the fish won't eat. Not sure why.

I wouldn't use an air pump. The movement of the water in the filter and across the surface should be adequate, as long as the water is moving all around the tank. Cories can gulp air as well, so are not as subject to low O2 as many bottom dwellers. When the power went out, the cories were the only thing to survive in my hex tank.

 

[tomm10]

Once again coming to my rescue, OG!

As long as the wood will keep the water stable that's all I care about. I was just worried that I would get a sudden ph spike killing all my fish.

You know, I've seen my corys dart to the surface and back to the bottom. I thought they were just being weird. Maybe they were getting a quick breath of fresh air


Thanks!

 

[TKOS]

Since you already have a nice sword plant for a centerpiece I would get some java moss and attach it to the driftwood. Makes for a nice look and requires very little attention. Cories will love looking for food in it.

 

[Locust]

You can remove tannins from driftwood by boiling the wood if it becomes a problem.