Got my Betta a 5 gal. hex tank

mvigor

mvigor

Aquarium Hobbyist
Mar 24, 2005
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Lunchlady land
www.vigorfamily.com
I'm pretty tired of the daily water changes on my Betta's 2 gallon tank at work so I bought a 5 gallon hex tank today with a filter and flourescent light built into the hood.

I'll get it set up during my lunch hour tomorrow (if I can wait until lunch...shh!) and then post some pictures after it's done. I'm just going to put all the gravel from the smaller tank under the new gravel (same color) and hopefully it will stay cycled.
 
Also, put the old gravel on top of the new gravel, at least for a while, I heard that helps.
 
Good advice, thank you!

The filtration on the old tank was an airstone and UGF, so the gravel is all I have unless I move dirty media from one of my tanks at home.

One thing that I'm worried about is having too strong a flow for the Betta's fins. The other tank I have with a similar filter has a STRONG current. This 5 gallon tank's filter is rated at 75 GPH, so that means the flow will move the entire tank's water every 4 or 5 minutes.
 
I think bettas do pretty well in current, especially if it is a planted tank. Mine swims in the current, then rests against plants. However, one corner of the tank is blocked from current due to plants and that is where he builds his bubble nest.
 
Bringing filter media from home would actually be a great idea, anything that would fit in the new filter. You can probably avoid a cycle completely. I would just make sure that the tank you would take stuff from is disease free!
 
My betta does exactly the same as Thesydmonster's betta :) He seems to really enjoy playing in the current :)

I want another tank now... :D

D
 
The complete setup was $30. It's a Wal-Mart re-branding of this marineland product.

I was very disappointed when I looked closer and saw that the lighting is incandescent. Another one I was considering in the store definitely had flourescent. I still haven't taken it out of the box but I will. I'll probably find a nice compact flourescent bulb to replace the included one soon.

I am glad to hear that current won't hurt the Betta. Also, as of 20 minutes past the hour my boss isn't at work so perhaps I'll get this all set up sooner. :)
 
Take one of your filters from your other tank and rub as much "crap" from it onto your new filter media. I did that with the filter from my 10 gal when setting up my 55gal and I didn't have any signs of an actual cycle, so I'm sure it would work with going from a lager to smaller tank.
 
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