Betta Newbie

[PeeJay]

Hey everyone, new to the forum, been looking around for a while now but just decided to sign up.

Ok so i won an auction on ebay for a 60L biorb for £25, went to pick it up, all looked good, then i was in a pet shop when i noticed a 60l biorb, then i realised the one i had jus picked up was alot smaller , after measuring it, turns out its only a 30L. Still thought it was good for the price, when i mentioned it to seller through ebay he said he didnt realise and would refund me, but decided to keep it anyway. Its got a quite a bit of scratches on it, but once full cant really notice them, was planning on keeping it at my girlfriends and making it a tropical tank (when i thought it was a 60L), but because of the scratches she doesnt want it there. So brought it back to my mums, been thinking what i can do with it and decided on a betta. Just got a few questions.

Ive filled it up and got it running now, im in no rush to get the fish in, still need decor for it anyway.

Questions

1: Is this 30L biorb ideal for a betta? would he be happier on his own in the tank?

2: how long do i need to have it cycling before the betta can be added?

3: Can i use any heater in this biorb? as the biorb ones are quite pricey.

4: Can i add large beach rocks in it? ( if i boil and clean them well)

5: When i turn the light on the biorb, the filter bubbles slow down quite abit, anyone know why this is?

6: Apart from a heater, what other items will i need to get setup ready to add the betta?

7: Ive seen someone selling betta fish on ebay, is it safe to buyer them that way? or is it best getting one from the shop?

Thanks in advance

 

[sona98765]

Hey everyone, new to the forum, been looking around for a while now but just decided to sign up.

Ok so i won an auction on ebay for a 60L biorb for £25, went to pick it up, all looked good, then i was in a pet shop when i noticed a 60l biorb, then i realised the one i had jus picked up was alot smaller , after measuring it, turns out its only a 30L. Still thought it was good for the price, when i mentioned it to seller through ebay he said he didnt realise and would refund me, but decided to keep it anyway. Its got a quite a bit of scratches on it, but once full cant really notice them, was planning on keeping it at my girlfriends and making it a tropical tank (when i thought it was a 60L), but because of the scratches she doesnt want it there. So brought it back to my mums, been thinking what i can do with it and decided on a betta. Just got a few questions.

Ive filled it up and got it running now, im in no rush to get the fish in, still need decor for it anyway.

Questions

1: Is this 30L biorb ideal for a betta? would he be happier on his own in the tank?

2: how long do i need to have it cycling before the betta can be added?

3: Can i use any heater in this biorb? as the biorb ones are quite pricey.

4: Can i add large beach rocks in it? ( if i boil and clean them well)

5: When i turn the light on the biorb, the filter bubbles slow down quite abit, anyone know why this is?

6: Apart from a heater, what other items will i need to get setup ready to add the betta?

7: Ive seen someone selling betta fish on ebay, is it safe to buyer them that way? or is it best getting one from the shop?

Thanks in advance

Welcome to the forum
Now to answer your questions:
1: Yes, you can keep him in there, but on his own, as there is not a lot of space
2: Cycle it like any other tank, 1 month filter running with only a pinch of food every second morning
3: You can use another heater, but then again it depends on the size of the heater
4: You can, just boil them and place them in, just make sure they are not too heavy
5: It might happen due to the fact the lights take up electricity just like the bubbler, try to connect them to separate outlets
6: Water conditoner, substrate, plants(live or fake), gentle filter, food, anything you would normally need to startup a regular aquarium
7: If you buy them off eBay, they don't always come like the picture, but they are usually healthier. On the other hand, if you pick from a pet store than you could choose your own color, but they won't be as healthy.

Good luck, and keep us updated!

 

[Noahs ark6]

Hey everyone, new to the forum, been looking around for a while now but just decided to sign up.

Ok so i won an auction on ebay for a 60L biorb for £25, went to pick it up, all looked good, then i was in a pet shop when i noticed a 60l biorb, then i realised the one i had jus picked up was alot smaller , after measuring it, turns out its only a 30L. Still thought it was good for the price, when i mentioned it to seller through ebay he said he didnt realise and would refund me, but decided to keep it anyway. Its got a quite a bit of scratches on it, but once full cant really notice them, was planning on keeping it at my girlfriends and making it a tropical tank (when i thought it was a 60L), but because of the scratches she doesnt want it there. So brought it back to my mums, been thinking what i can do with it and decided on a betta. Just got a few questions.

Ive filled it up and got it running now, im in no rush to get the fish in, still need decor for it anyway.

Questions

1: Is this 30L biorb ideal for a betta? would he be happier on his own in the tank?

2: how long do i need to have it cycling before the betta can be added?

3: Can i use any heater in this biorb? as the biorb ones are quite pricey.

4: Can i add large beach rocks in it? ( if i boil and clean them well)

5: When i turn the light on the biorb, the filter bubbles slow down quite abit, anyone know why this is?

6: Apart from a heater, what other items will i need to get setup ready to add the betta?

7: Ive seen someone selling betta fish on ebay, is it safe to buyer them that way? or is it best getting one from the shop?

Thanks in advance

1. Yes you can keep a betta in that tank. However, because it's quite small, it would be best to keep him on his own

2. The length of a cycle can vary hugely, have a look at the beginners resource centre

3. As long as it fits in and isnt poking out of the water, yes.

4. Make sure they don't fizz if you pour vinegar on them, if they don't, then yes.

5. No sorry, never had a BiOrb.

6. I think thats it, light, heater, filter. Next is to make it look nice

7. Alot of people buy online and say it's OK. However i personally haven'nt and never will buy them online. I prefer to see them physically before i part with my money

 

[danele]

Ive got a betta in a 25litre and he's happy.
Cant help you with the biorb questions as i havent experienced one. (looking at one for my 2nd betta though)
Bought my fish off ebay and he arrived safe, although if you can get one local it would be less stressful

 

[PeeJay]

Thanks for the reply guys, really helpful.

Will keep you updated, will add some pictures of the biorb once its been decorated

 

[sona98765]

I'm with you on not buying online

Thanks for the reply guys, really helpful.

Will keep you updated, will add some pictures of the biorb once its been decorated

Can't wait!!

 

[danele]

Noahs ark6 you just keep beating me to punch

 

[Noahs ark6]

Noahs ark6 you just keep beating me to punch

?? Please explain...

 

[danele]

We've posted at the same time on several occasions today

 

[Noahs ark6]

We've posted at the same time on several occasions today

Oh right

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I would get sand or a fine gravel instead of beach rocks as they take up less space in the tank and also there no risk of the betta or his fins getting trapped between them (it happens!). Also if you aren't getting real plants get broad leafed silk plants instead of plastic as plastic can tear their fins as well.

Also I don't recommend you cycle the tank with fish food as it is messy and difficult to control how much ammonia is being released - I have tried this method myself and I preferred to cycle with ammonia. Much less hassle especially if you decide to use rocks as the old food just falls to bits and gets down between the rocks - more mess!

Lastly, it's absolutely fine to buy your bettas online. You often get a better choice/higher quality betta then from LFSs. There are several threads on this forum which recommend reliable places to buy them online. This doesn't mean that nothing ever goes wrong with buying online but I haven't read of anyone on this forum having problems.

EDIT: Apparently the biorb ceramic substrate is part of the filtration in these tanks so you are meant to use only that or at least not sand because it has an under gravel filter. I have no idea what it's like but I know I've seen ppl mention that the ceramic stuff can tear fins so you may want to look into what folks are doing to avoid the ceramic substrate.

 

[PeeJay]

^ Thanks for the info

Yes i have the ceramic substrate at the bottom of the tank and covered them with black and white feng shui pebbles so no chance of the betta getting caught on them.

I dont think ill be using real plants, will just get the silk ones.

Im going for a black, white and green theme, so if anyone knows of any decor that would fit he theme and be ideal for a betta would appreciate it

Thanks guys

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

check out the marina naturals silk plants I have them in my tank (see signature) - but most any would do really!

 

[PeeJay]

Ok great.

Just had a problem, the power just went on the tank, and when i checked the plug part it was super hot, has it overheated? Ive got it plugged into a 4 plug extension, the room isnt hot or nothing and the plug is just on the cupboard next to the tank, not blocked or anything.

 

[PeeJay]

Well figured out the reason for the fuze to blow and why the filter was running slower when i turned the light on, the person i bought it off had put a 50w bulb in instead of the normal 10w
SO thats a new transformer and bulb added to the need list. Also with the transformer blowing will the pump of broke aswel? or will that still run well once a new transformer is running? I wont be able to get a new transformer until next week now, will it be ok to leave the water in till then and just continue the cycle once i get the pump running again?

Just been reading around and thinking of adding some red cherry shrimp to the tank along with the betta when its up and running, anyone know how many of them could i add to this tank?

Thanks