[zacheyp]

Sooo i went to Petco to explore my betta tank options. I have explored betta soroitys and 5 gall comunity tank but that really didnt seem to be a good idea. The store had a mini bow, but i really like the standard 2.5 gallon 12x6x8 tank. I would use an aquaclear 20. The only problem is i cant find a hood, could you possibly help.
I really want to keep some good looking plants (the key to a cool nano tank) a kick but betta and snail and maybe some shrimp. Again if i can find a hood this tank will be up and cycling in no time.
Thanks

 

[callistra]

The standard rectangular aqueon glass tanks? It's hard to find them in store. You may need to order online.

Also it's really hard to maintain beneficial bacteria in something that small and you need to be careful and test often to make sure nothing broke down. If you want to cycle pick up a 5g. The hood will be easier to find too. You're not going to be putting tank mates in something as small as 2.5g either.

 

[Myates]

I agree.. a 2.5 gallon won't cycle as the surface area is too small. You can keep live plants in a 2.5 gallon, but wouldn't have to go through the whole cycle process. Just make sure to QT the plants for a week or so before you add any fish in with them as sometimes they carry snails, etc and you want to make sure you have only what you want in the tank with the betta.
Good luck and can't wait to see some pictures of the set up

 

[zacheyp]

i still need to find a hood

 

[zacheyp]

still cant find a hood ):

 

[Tappy4me]

I don't believe they make much in terms of hoods for 2.5 gal tanks.

I have 4 of them...and just have the glass covers that came with them. I use clip on lights for lighting. I've been looking for specific light hoods for years for them, and unfortunately, I just don't think they make them for tanks that small.

 

[zacheyp]

I don't believe they make much in terms of hoods for 2.5 gal tanks.

I have 4 of them...and just have the glass covers that came with them. I use clip on lights for lighting. I've been looking for specific light hoods for years for them, and unfortunately, I just don't think they make them for tanks that small.

so could i go unfiltered?

 

[Tappy4me]

Unfiltred is fine. You just have to keep up with water changes. I have my 2.5 gal tanks filtered with Toms Aquarium mini internal filters. Azoo filters work well too. Just make sure you get a heater. and cover whatever space you can with a glass hood, or plastic canvas cut to size in a pinch.

 

[zacheyp]

Unfiltred is fine. You just have to keep up with water changes. I have my 2.5 gal tanks filtered with Toms Aquarium mini internal filters. Azoo filters work well too. Just make sure you get a heater. and cover whatever space you can with a glass hood, or plastic canvas cut to size in a pinch.

o00, i would def do an internal filter, heater and clip on lights but my tank dosent come with a cover :evil: do you know where (link) i could get one? thanks

 

[Tappy4me]

What brand is the tank you have?


Is it like this? (old pic of Draco's tank..differently designed now) Just a standard glass rectangular tank?

 

[Tappy4me]

If so, then this top should fit it. (It's a Perfecto 2.5 Gallon Glass Top)

http://www.livehermitcrabs.com/pe25gagltop.html

Alternatively, you could also go to a lowes or hardware store and have them cut a piece of glass to the dimensions you need.

 

[zacheyp]

If so, then this top should fit it. (It's a Perfecto 2.5 Gallon Glass Top)

Perfecto 2.5 Gallon Glass Top

Alternatively, you could also go to a lowes or hardware store and have them cut a piece of glass to the dimensions you need.

can't say for sure but looks pretty darn simmilar, what are the dimensions of your tank?
thanks

 

[mathkid]

I had a 2.5g Aqueon/AGA glass tank (standard dimensions, 12x6x8, I think). I couldn't find a hood for it, but I got a glass top, similar to the one Tappy4me posted:
http://www.amazon.com/2PK-Versa-Top...ZPR6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1329629192&sr=8-9

There's a few others like it posted on Amazon. However, it was just a slab of glass plus stick-on handle - no hinge or vinyl back as the description states.

I am on the lookout for a good hood fixture for a 2.5gal standard tank. Here's some of the things I've found online:
- 12" Catalina: http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_76&products_id=1231
- 10" Catalina (http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=71_76&products_id=1233) plus legs (http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1339)
- A DIY wooden enclosure: http://www.ahsupply.com/diy.htm plus light kit: http://www.ahsupply.com/18_or_24_w_kits.htm
- Zoo Med makes a 12" terrarium hood. I don't know how you would go about waterproofing it for aquarium use: http://www.petguys.com/-097612325000.html
- Aqueon makes a 12" strip light you can put over a glass canopy: http://www.aqueonproducts.com/products/fluorescent-striplights.htm

Keep us posted on what you end up doing!

 

[zacheyp]

wow, thanks for al of your help!!!! changing topics for 1 sec i know a 2.5 isnt ideal for a betta but its all i have room for and im pretty sure the betta will like it more than a cup. Would a male or female do better in a 2.5?

 

[Leeniex]

I have a boy in a 2.5, glass top, one 50% and 100% wc every week. He's doing great in it. I gave up on real plants for him though, they kept dying. I gave him some silk ones to hide out in.

 

[zacheyp]

I have a boy in a 2.5, glass top, one 50% and 100% wc every week. He's doing great in it. I gave up on real plants for him though, they kept dying. I gave him some silk ones to hide out in.

why were plants dying?

 

[Tappy4me]

wow, thanks for al of your help!!!! changing topics for 1 sec i know a 2.5 isnt ideal for a betta but its all i have room for and im pretty sure the betta will like it more than a cup. Would a male or female do better in a 2.5?

2.5 gals are fine for a betta as long as you keep up water changes. Either gender will do fine in it. I'd love to upgrade my guys/gal to a 5 gal each, but I don't have space. They are all happy and healthy in their 2.5 gal tanks.

 

[Tappy4me]

can't say for sure but looks pretty darn simmilar, what are the dimensions of your tank?
thanks

Pretty sure it's the same as what you are looking at stuff for. Just a standard rectangular 2.5 gal tank. I get mine from Petsmart, and they come with the glass covers lol.

 

[zacheyp]

What is the lightest water change schedule I could get away with?
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[Tappy4me]

What is the lightest water change schedule I could get away with?
Posted via Mobile Device

I do a 20-30% water change every 2-3 days, then a 50% change at least once a week with a full WC about every week and a half-2 weeks. This doesn't stress my guys out and keeps ammonia levels down.

You could probably get away with one 50% change and one 100% change a week. But being that the tank is on the smaller side, you have to make sure to do these at the minimum every week. Ammonia and stuff builds up alot quicker in the smaller tanks.