Getting a new fish next week!

[Devo]

The current isn't that strong. The reason I wanted a filter is because I think algae (and an improper heating system) killed my last one. My friend (who runs a fish business) helped me set everything up.

Also in addition to the filter, I will change the water weekly.



By the way, if you ever need fish gear check out bettazen.com

I think this is a better bet. Honestly, my eyebrow twitches when I hear of people keeping bettas in unfiltered tanks. It usually doesn't end well. My current betta set up is a 6gal with a filter. It's just turned down really really low, and the water is kept high enough that the current isn't very strong.

I would also recommend the weekly water changes. Of about 30-50%, depending on your water readings. You might want to invest in water reading kits for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, pH and all that jazz. They can be a lifesaver, esp when trying to figure out what might be up with your tank. If you want to save your betta from a lot of undue stress, you'll want to let the tank cycle before you plop him in there. Let the biobugs get going and all of that. Make sure that your ammonia isn't through the roof before you put him in there. Otherwise, it's likely to kill him. If you're too impatient to wait for the cycle to complete (or don't have media to jump start a cycle without the fish) you'll want to do daily water changes until the cycle finishes. High ammonia can and does kill fish.

If you're worried about algae, you can get a snail to eat it, or clean it off with a sponge. I've never heard of algae killing a fish before, but who knows. If the heat was too high, it could have caused a bump in your cycle, which usually will spike ammonia... which as I said above, does kill fish if too high. Heaters are really risky, because they're faulty. So you will want to invest in a good thermometer before you put the heater in. If the ambient room temp is good enough to keep him happy, you're better off leaving it with that, instead of risking the heater breaking and overheating/cooking your fish.

Hopefully I'm not irritating you with this, I just like to see happy fish :<

-Devo

[bluewave193]

I think this is a better bet. Honestly, my eyebrow twitches when I hear of people keeping bettas in unfiltered tanks. It usually doesn't end well. My current betta set up is a 6gal with a filter. It's just turned down really really low, and the water is kept high enough that the current isn't very strong.

I would also recommend the weekly water changes. Of about 30-50%, depending on your water readings. You might want to invest in water reading kits for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, pH and all that jazz. They can be a lifesaver, esp when trying to figure out what might be up with your tank. If you want to save your betta from a lot of undue stress, you'll want to let the tank cycle before you plop him in there. Let the biobugs get going and all of that. Make sure that your ammonia isn't through the roof before you put him in there. Otherwise, it's likely to kill him. If you're too impatient to wait for the cycle to complete (or don't have media to jump start a cycle without the fish) you'll want to do daily water changes until the cycle finishes. High ammonia can and does kill fish.

If you're worried about algae, you can get a snail to eat it, or clean it off with a sponge. I've never heard of algae killing a fish before, but who knows. If the heat was too high, it could have caused a bump in your cycle, which usually will spike ammonia... which as I said above, does kill fish if too high. Heaters are really risky, because they're faulty. So you will want to invest in a good thermometer before you put the heater in. If the ambient room temp is good enough to keep him happy, you're better off leaving it with that, instead of risking the heater breaking and overheating/cooking your fish.

Hopefully I'm not irritating you with this, I just like to see happy fish :<

-Devo

Thank you for the advise. I am planning on getting a snail eventually, and I did let the water cycle with the filter for about a week before I got Neptune. I also have a thermometer and check the water temp. often. I need a heater because my room gets really cold at night, so the temp. of the tank will drop significantly.

[Ocelot]

Thank you for the advise. I am planning on getting a snail eventually, and I did let the water cycle with the filter for about a week before I got Neptune. I also have a thermometer and check the water temp. often. I need a heater because my room gets really cold at night, so the temp. of the tank will drop significantly.

Watch that it doesn't get too hot in the summer. Small tanks fluctuate more rapidly. Also, since it's a small tank, if you can afford it you might want to pick up something like a Brita water pitcher with the filter for water changes and top of water from evaporation. The filter will remove much of the chlorine and some of the phosphates, etc from tap water. The phosphates will cause more algae growth.

And good luck with the fish! I really enjoy them. I've had a saltwater tank set up for a good 5 years now Currently a 46 gallon bow front.