Which Tank?

[farmgirl598]

As some of you may know, I have 8 bettas now. (I have and Endler tank and 2 guppy tanks too!) One of my bettas is a baby VT female I rescued a few weeks ago, and she was really tiny at the time. I named her Kalika. (Hindu for RoseBud) She's eating and active, and GROWING fast! She is currently in a heated and filtered 2.5 gallon bowl, sitting on my dresser next to my new HM male, Chance. Chance lives in a 5 gallon Hawkeye SemiHex tank. My dresser is only so big, and 99 percent of the space is now occupied by aquariums. I am soon going to have to get Kalika a bigger tank, and I will have exactly 12 inches to spare to allow for the length of a new tank. (I want the location to still be on my dresser) I know bettas like longer tanks, as opposed to taller tanks, but the only thing I MIGHT have ample room for will be something similar to a FluVal Chi, or perhaps a hex tank. I like the Chi better, though it is heavier. Any ideas on which might be best? I want Kalika to be healthy and happy, but I am out of room for more tanks! LOL! Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[ollief9]

I haven't heard very good reviews on the Fluval Chi - apparently the lighting isn't very good and the filter is quite noisy. I've never had either tank but I would recommend the Hex over the Fluval Chi.

[farmgirl598]

My male guppies live in a 5 gallon Fluval Chi, and I LOVE it. BUT.....I never used the original filter and light. I put in a double sponge filter, and bought a lid for the tank. I have 2 lights attachec, one that is very dim and gives off only "nightlight" type lighting, and a brighter one that illuminates more and helps the plants grow. The fluval IS heavy though, even empty. It's made with THICK glass. I'd get another in a minute (and modify it again).....except that I think bettas prefer less depth.

[Naladari]

I personally would go out to your lfs and grab a basic 10 gallon if you could fit it.
They are normally around 20.0 x 11.0 x 12.0. I would set the 20 inch part towards your wall and let the 11 inches take up the rest of your desk.
It leaves you with the ability to split the new tank, make a community tank, or make a sorority in the future.
This is all assuming it will fit.
The fuvals have sort of a cult following in my eyes, its a beautiful design; however imo I feel like with buying a cheaper tank you could do more for less.

[farmgirl598]

Naladari: Good thought, but I have not got the space right now. YOU DID give me an idea, though. I already have an empty standard 10 gallon setup, so I will move the male guppies into the 10 gallon, (there are technically too many for the 5 gallon anyhow) and use their current Fluval Chi for my female betta! The fluval 5 gallon that contains the guppies always looks SO clear and beautiful, and the plants do REALLY well in it. I hope I can get the same results after moving them to the 10 gallon. Anyway, Thank you......you might have just saved me 60+ bucks!!!!

[Naladari]

Originally Posted by farmgirl598

Naladari: Good thought, but I have not got the space right now. YOU DID give me an idea, though. I already have an empty standard 10 gallon setup, so I will move the male guppies into the 10 gallon, (there are technically too many for the 5 gallon anyhow) and use their current Fluval Chi for my female betta! The fluval 5 gallon that contains the guppies always looks SO clear and beautiful, and the plants do REALLY well in it. I hope I can get the same results after moving them to the 10 gallon. Anyway, Thank you......you might have just saved me 60+ bucks!!!!

Haha, I'm glad it all worked out

[farmgirl598]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It really helped!