Sparky's new home!

[Beth]

Just set up my new 5 gal hex for my betta, Sparky. He is soooo happy!! I can't believe how much he swims! I floated the itty-bitty bio-wheel in my established 29 gal tank for several weeks to build up the bacteria colony and after 5 days I've had no sign of ammonia. I also put in the smooth pebbles that had been in his previous home (1/2 gal bowl). For substrate I used pool filter sand and it looks awsome! I can't believe how clean the sand was. I only rinsed it for a few minutes before the water ran clear. I know that regular play sand would take forever to rinse! So, I highly recommend the pool filter sand.

I have added some red hygro, sunset hygro, and water wisteria from my other tank, and a couple of Malaysian Trumpet Snails to keep the sand stirred up.

I did have a question about temp. Because I have live plants, I need to keep the light on for several hours each day. The incandescent bulb that came with the tank heats up the water pretty good. By the end of the day, the water temp is about 85F! Is this too hot for my Betta? I am also planning on adding 3 Julii Cories soon. Will this be a problem?

Any suggestions are surely appreciated!

 

[Hebdizzle]

if you can, put a low wattage screw in compact fluorescent bulb in. IME they run at a lower temperature and are much brighter for the wattage.

Aaron

 

[WaterBaby]

I have a betta in a 6 gallon. I tried to put some cories in with him, but he decided that he did not like them, and started to rip into their fins.

I have read about some here on the board that keep bettas with cories, and maybe some are more easy-going than mine.

I would say have a back-up plan in case: meaning another tank to put the cories just in case he is the type that likes being alone.

 

[stoopid]

The bata should be fine as the temps are being raised relatively slow and lowered slowly/radiating.

85F is a tad warm but as long as the beta can reach the surface of the water there will be enough O2 to breathe.

 

[Beth]

Thanks. I plan on looking into a screw-in flourescent bulb.

I also have thought about the aggressiveness factor with adding the cories. If they don't work with the betta, I'll put them in my 29 gal. They'd be happy there too.

He doesn't seem to be too bothered by the slowly rising temp, so far. I'll keep an eye on him. Do you think the cories would have a problem with the high temp since they tend to hang around the bottom?

 

[tricksterpup]

Beth,
Try walmart, they now sell those Power compact bulbs dirt cheap, I believe for about $ 4. I pick mine up from there and they have done very well in my Gambusia and Guppy tanks. I have also seen this type of tank setup with one of these bulbs and it has done very well.



jim