Son wants 1 gallon tank - need help.

To cycle a 2g which will only house a betta, I would recommend (depending on timeframe):

1. Some gravel and filter media from the 10g (whatever you can spare, but you don't want to hurt the bio-filter on the 10g).

2. Run the 2g's filter on the 10 g for a while before putting the fish in.

3. Bio-Spira. Great stuff. NOTE: Do NOT change the water for a full 48 hours after adding Bio-Spira (it needs time to attach to stuff in the tank/filter).

FWIW, I kinda like the Marineland tanks with everything in the hood. I think 3g is the smallest they make. If needed, search the groups for "nano filter" or "tiny filter" - there's a thread with a few very good options for tiny HOB filters.

EDIT: Forgot to mention - make sure the heater is adjustable (not the Hydor flat thingy) so that you can keep a constant temp. You may have to pay more or order online to find one small enough to fit in a 2g. I recommend a low wattage too - 25w is plenty.

Liz
 
Last edited:
For a single betta adding some gravel from the established tank will be fine for introducing bacteria. This will still mean testing the water and doing water changes if needed. By feeding only every other day for awhile it will lessen any spikes.
 
Hello Anne,

I have one of those 2 gallon "Explorer" tanks with the filter in the hood. It has a biowheel in it as well. I have found this tank to be a VERY good tank. The filter is fantastic, it runs quietly and doesn't disturb the water much that just placing a taller plant under the outlet wouldn't help as far as a betta not liking currents much. I believe these tanks also come in 3gallon and 5gallon sizes as well. OH...also, I don't even need a heater in this tank, believe it or not. I think that the motor running the filter is what keeps the water temp stable. It stays at 76-77F...but in the summer that goes up to almost 80F, which is just fine for a betta !

The only thing I don't like about it is mine doesn't have a light with it. I set it up as a planted tank with a nice piece of driftwood in it, with java fern, water sprite and anubia nana. There are 4 little ram fry (culls that I just couldn't "cull"..lol) that have been living in there for about 4 to 6 months now. They're belly scrapers and I put them in there figuring they'd just die, but they didn't :rolleyes:

Anyway, the water stays very clean and clear....I have yet to have any problems with this tank at all. I bought it used for 13$ at petsmart...but I think they're well worth the 25-40$ I think they ask for them brand new, depending on the size.

BTW...here's a little one gallon betta tank I've had setup since June/july. Never a problem with it, no algae at all...very happy healthy fish....I haven't had to do much with that sword plant in there except trim off a few old leaves, but I'm constantly cropping that watersprite....sorry the pic is so big, I tried downsizing it by my photobucket account is having problems....
onegallonbetta.jpg
 
Last edited:
WOW some one else is from sask? where are you located?
 
Wow, I have one of those 2.5g Explorers, too! Mine used to have Jakers in it, but now he's in a Eclipse 6 gallon. I've three little wee platy babies in there now. I removed the filter and put a sponge in instead.

Another option for 10 bucks -- and I like this better for bettas -- are the All Glass 2.5 gallon nano tanks. A lot of reefers use them for mini reef tanks, but what's great about it is that it has a bigger footprint than the Explorer and many other small tanks I've seen: 12x6x8. It's also glass, so it doesn't scratch like the plastic ones do. I hate that, personally.

Mark, our yellow betta, is in that one and he has a LOT of room to swim because it's longer and wider and not as tall. Bettas don't need tall. There's no light, but I have a little glass top and two java plants that are doing very well. Sponge filtered and a 25w Theo Hyrdo heater keeps it a nice cosy 80*.

Roan
 
Roan, yeah, those are very nice tanks. You can buy a small strip light for them too. I've seen them at PetSmart for only about 11$. Pretty cheap for a striplight. Put one of those 10watt screw in CP flourescent bulbs and you have some decent lighting for a nice little planted tank.

But you have to figure some way to filter the tank. I suppose one of those little nano powerfilters would do the trick...not as good I don't think, as the filters in the Explorer tanks though...you'd also need a heater of some type....Walmart sells a little JR heater for about 6$. You can't regulate it though so would need to keep an eye on it to see who the temp works. If it gets too warm you just remove some of the cover over it..or leave the lid open...always have a reliable thermometer in the tank.
 
If going for a small tank, Hydor has a 7.5W heater that works pretty well, brings the temperature 5 degrees for a 2 gallon, so i figure 7 degrees for a 1 gallon. i use the Hydor Mini in my 5 gallon with my breeder guppies and snail tank, which also has a betta in it. all species seem to love it.

the heater is a small flat "plate" than can even be ran dry without damage tot he heater. i'd guess though that can't be good for the fish though.
 
Emg said:
Roan, yeah, those are very nice tanks. You can buy a small strip light for them too. I've seen them at PetSmart for only about 11$. Pretty cheap for a striplight. Put one of those 10watt screw in CP flourescent bulbs and you have some decent lighting for a nice little planted tank.
Click to expand...
Hrm, I haven't see those striplights. I just got a $30 Coralife Mini Aqualight for it, 2x9w bulbs, 'cause I wanted to add some nicer plants. Wish I'd read your post first :)

But you have to figure some way to filter the tank. I suppose one of those little nano powerfilters would do the trick...not as good I don't think, as the filters in the Explorer tanks though
Click to expand...
Sponge filter works great, and there's no water agitation for the betta to deal with. They run anywhere from 2-5$.

...you'd also need a heater of some type....Walmart sells a little JR heater for about 6$. You can't regulate it though so would need to keep an eye on it to see who the temp works. If it gets too warm you just remove some of the cover over it..or leave the lid open...always have a reliable thermometer in the tank.
Click to expand...
I've the 25w Hydor Theo in my 2.5 gallon tanks. Rated for 2-7 gallons and self regulating. It's rather pricey at $15.99 at BigAlsOnline, but worth it IMO. I don't like to skimp on the heater for bettas 'cause it's so important.

Roan
 
HYPERASHEL said:
If going for a small tank, Hydor has a 7.5W heater that works pretty well, brings the temperature 5 degrees for a 2 gallon, so i figure 7 degrees for a 1 gallon. i use the Hydor Mini in my 5 gallon with my breeder guppies and snail tank, which also has a betta in it. all species seem to love it.
Click to expand...
The problem with those is that they only heat a few degrees higher than the room and they aren't self-regulating. This from their web site:

"Helps increase by a few degrees Celsius/ Fahrenheit the water temperature of mini aquariums compared to the ambient/room temperature where it is positioned."​

If the fish is in a cold room, and Anne indicated her son's room was pretty cool, it's not going to help warm the water very much.

IME it's important to maintain a constant temperature or the fish will get stressed.

And before anyone recommends it, I'll argue against using "under tank heating pads". The kind you use for reptiles -- those ones. Those are not for use "under tank" and it's very misleading for some online stores to list them as being for underneath tanks. They are for use under cages not tanks. Tank = aquarium, cage = no or very little water. They are not water proof, not even water resistant, and can even crack glass.

Roan
 
I don't know how well they work but they do sell under plant heating pads that are water resistant. They may have the same issues as the reptile pads Roan indicates but are meant to get splashed with water. Unfortunatly they also only add a few degrees so would be opperating constantly.

In a smaller tank spending more on a heater can sometimes be the best idea as they are not tolerant of large swings. A 50 gallon tank can survive much longer if a heater gets stuck on than a 2 gallon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom