i just set up two 10gallon sponge filters with a two-way gang valve for my 20g. they're powered by a single 5gal pump. five bettas share the tank. is this adequate?
shrazy bunny: try pre-soaking your pellets completely before feeding.
hmckin: I don't know, what is your w/c schedule? It sounds like it might do, but you might want to play it safe and monitor water params for a week or two just to be sure it's going well, especially if it is a newly set up tank that has just been cycled. If it hasn't been cycled, you're going to want to monitor daily until its done cycling.
I just purchased a new Betta yesterday and now that I'm reading more, like finding out that I need to completely clean the fish bowl every day to keep him healthy and that I need to spend more money to buy a heater and bigger fish tank (tbh, i'm not sure what size my tank is, i bought it from walmart for around $7 and it didn't say anywhere but i think its 1-2g?) and possibly buy a filter and a bunch of stuff to start the cycling... its all beginning to be a bit overwhelming to be honest!
Once I get things sorted out and get a pattern down does everything get easier and smoother? If I use a 2-5g tank how much would it cost on average to get a filter and setup the cycle (I'm trying to decide if I want a filter or not).
When I first bought him I thought I would just feed him twice daily some cheap pellets and enjoy watching him swim around and enjoy having him but I'm learning its much more complicated and I'm second guessing my purchase.
Has anyone been in my situation recently that could give some advice?
Don't second guess your purchase! I had the same reaction when I came home with my 1 gallon bowl, some rocks, some plastic plants, a fish and some food. I dive into new things so I went head first into research about Bettas. About a week later I was leaving petsmart with a 1.5 gallon tank with a nice light and a 20$ heater, plus a few new treats and plants to switch out. :) It honestly wasn't that expensive. If I had the space or the funds I would be trying to get a huge tank and learning to cycle and all that but I simply don't. I LOVE my fish and he'll love you for providing him with a spacious, clean and vibrant place to live. I even took in another the other day. At walmart I spent 40$ on the tank and heater, not that bad of an investment considering the bowl I came home with first and all the supplies cost me at least 30. It's worth it!
Plus whatever food your buying. All that stuff listed is like $56.68 so add maybe another $5ish for food cost and all. so a total of $60. Not too bad. I hope this helps.
hmckin: I don't know, what is your w/c schedule? It sounds like it might do, but you might want to play it safe and monitor water params for a week or two just to be sure it's going well, especially if it is a newly set up tank that has just been cycled. If it hasn't been cycled, you're going to want to monitor daily until its done cycling.
I've been doing 20% per day, and it's a newly set up tank, and isn't cycled. Should I keep the water change schedule or alter it? Should I buy a larger pump or does the valve constrain the filtering effect? Too many things to consider, haha. I'm also using Seachem Prime if that makes any difference.
hmchkin, you could probably do it as 20% every other day, unless the params say otherwise ( you want less than .25 ammonia and nitrites at all time. Nitrates should never go above 10)
I'm not that familiar with sponge filters and pumps, but seeing as you have a pump for up to 5 gallons filtering a 20 gallon, there possibly could be an issue. You'll probably want to talk to someone more familiar with their use, and see if the set up will be good long term.
If you have an established tank, how often should you change the filter media? Does it need to be changed after its all cycled? I was thinking each month on some of the portions was a bit early since it takes longer than that to cycle it.
hmchkin, you could probably do it as 20% every other day, unless the params say otherwise ( you want less than .25 ammonia and nitrites at all time. Nitrates should never go above 10)
I'm not that familiar with sponge filters and pumps, but seeing as you have a pump for up to 5 gallons filtering a 20 gallon, there possibly could be an issue. You'll probably want to talk to someone more familiar with their use, and see if the set up will be good long term.
Alright, thank you. (:
I'll try to get a 20gal pump instead.
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