[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[Tappy4me]

What is the lightest water change schedule I could get away with?
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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.

 

[Tappy4me]

How can the filter and heater wires get to the outlet with the glass top?
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You don't have the glass top completely covering the tank..still need to have some air circulation, so I keep the wires and stuff going out the back side of the tank, as well as the light clamp, then you just cover the tank the rest of the way.

 

[Tappy4me]

Does the in tank filter make ANY noise... This tank is going to next to my bed and has to be silent
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None, as long as you keep the tank full lol. It makes a trickling noise as it pushes water over the surface if you let the levels drop below the spout. Otherwise, no motor sounds or anything. At least for the Tom Mini Internal filters that I use.

Another alternative for a filter is the Azoo mini filter. It's external, but is very quiet. I haven't tried it with long finned bettas yet, but I have it on Brutus' tank on the lowest setting. I think the internal filter works better for long finned bettas, but either would work for a shorter finned betta.

 

[Tappy4me]

I am so happy that I will be able to provide a betta a tank though not huge is much bigger than a cup at petco, lit, filtered and heated!
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And he/she will be very grateful to you for doing so! Keep in mind, you can always upgrade your betta laterif you want to (once you have a place you can have a larger tank) and keep this smaller tank on hand to have as a hospital tank if needed.

Can't wait to see what you get!

 

[Tappy4me]

Aqueon Betta Mini Bow 2.5 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit - Fish - Sale - PetSmart
i want one of these....

Those are nice. I have the 1 gal version that I use for my new guys as temporary tanks until I can get their stuff all set up! lol. (Just because I have them on hand already from past bettas)

Only thing I've noticed with them is that you have to put a sponge over the intake, or your fishy can get stuck to it or get his fins torn. (I had it happen with a previous betta.)

here's a pic of how I have the glass on Draco's tank, from above of course lol. I still need to get a light for both Sapphira and Shadowfax's tanks, but they're expensive and the ones I want, the company that makes them isn't selling anything right now.

 

[Tappy4me]

oh dang! what kind of sponge ? do you have a pic?

I do! Umm, I used a piece of sponge by AquaClear. AquaClear Filter Insert Foam, in a 3 pack. I had picked it up awhile back when I was trying to rig up something for Tango's tank. My fear for sapphira wasn't that her fins would get sucked to it, but because she is so small, she may have been sucked up into it. There's a nice wide hole at the bottom of it.

I just cut it to size then hollowed it out, but you may be able to use a Fluval Chi intake sponge as well. We used one of those for my boyfriends dwarf puffer tank to keep the puffers from being sucked up into that intake.

It'll be just a few minutes before I can show you a pic, as it's uploading now.

 

[Tappy4me]

I saw the mini bow at petco yesterday but liked the standard 2.5 more
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Yea, the are nice, but the curved front makes it difficult to take good pictures of the fish! haha...Plus, I like the standard 2.5 gal tanks due to the length vs the height. More swimming space for the boys/girl. I do alot of photography of my fish...so flat fronts are much more enjoyable to me.

As for the plastic thing you're talking about, I'm not sure. Foam is better in my opinion, as it will also lessen the flow, and if a betta does by chance get sucked to it, the foam is not going to tear his/her fins, whereas a plastic cover may.

Here's a pic of the foam on the filter from that tank. It's not currently running right now, so don't mind the water level. Sapphira is getting over some constipation/bloat, and I lowered the water level until she mends to help her out. She couldn't get to the bottom very easily as the bloating was affecting her swim bladder some. (The filter is being used on her 2.5 gal tank until I order another filter for her...in case you were wondering why it is on this tank and not the mini bow lol)

 

[Tappy4me]

oh, its cute.

Yea, the foam piece doesn't look bad on it. (The Fluval Chi one is black) But it is very effective at lessening the suction and flow of the filter.

 

[Tappy4me]

oh well.... i think i'll put the tip from an old filter on it if i get one, so it wont eat my fishy! lol
the nearest petsmart is an hour or more away...

Can you order stuff from online? If so, Aqua Clear Filter Insert Foam 20 for 5-20 Gallon Aquariums 3 PACK NEW MechStage (015561113908) | eBay .

Alternatively, I have an extra piece of foam that I'm not using. If you'd like I can mail it to you.

 

[Tappy4me]

well, i wouldnt want you to mail it to me before i know for sure im getting it, but if i do get it, i will let you know and that'd be great! do you want payment?

Just message me when you know. It's not very heavy, so won't cost but a dollar or so to mail, so no. Don't worry about payment.

All in all, it's a very nice tank! You'll enjoy it the only other thing I find a bit lacking (only because I'm used to such a bright flourescent light for my other tank, is that the lighting is a bit dull. But they may have change the light bulbs since I bought mine. It's a very nice tank!

 

[Tappy4me]

So im trying to aproximate the price of the tank, if i forget anything, misestimate the price if anything or could save money anywhere please please please let me know.
Tank 12 bucks petco
Substrate 5 dollars
heater 10 dollars
internal mini filter 16 dollars
would this light (20 bucks) work? Amazon.com: TOM Aquarium Perch-Light Fixture 9W w/Compact Flo Lamp, 6400K D: Pet Supplies
glAass top 15
total 80 ish bucks

All of that should work.

You can always skip the filter for now, and go barebottom (no substrate) if you want. As long as you have a heater and keep up with the water changes, you can go filterless. Biggest things you need are the heater, a few hiding spots and your light if desired. Oh, you'll want to get a thermometer too to monitor water temperature.

 

[Tappy4me]

if i went unfilterd what would my water change schedule have to be like, also are there any other ways to save money?

One 50% and one 100% change a week is bare minimum, whether you have a filter or not.

You could always get one of these kits, that has a light. (3 gallon)

Tetra Crescent Desktop Aquarium Kits at PETCO

Should come with a light and filter. You just need to get water conditioner, the heater, food and your decorations. That would save you some money. (maybe plastic canvas or something to make a cover with if it doesn't come with one. Plastic canvas is a nice cheap option you can cut to size for a cover.)

 

[Tappy4me]

Most lights I've seen run around 15 bucks at the cheapest. As mentioned previously, you might be able to find a desk lamp of some sort to use.

Have you looked around on ebay? Theres lots of different type of clip on lamps out there.

 

[Tappy4me]

That one should work just fine