Betta Tankmates

[pablothebetta]

Wow - I'd really like that tbh! I'll definitely look into 10Gs. The tanks I have been looking at are just under 10G at 35/6L as opposed to around 38L. If I got the 320T, would 6 corys probably be enough with the small area and height? Would I be looking at 10 or so in the 35L arcadia?

 

[Cazgar]

If you go for the aqua start, I'd stick with 6 pygmys.
Even though they don't stick to the bottom of the tank, length is always better than height.
If you go for the Arcadia I think 8 would be a good number with the Betta

 

[pablothebetta]

Even though they don't stick to the bottom of the tank, length is always better than height

That's what I was thinking.

Do you think that in the long term the current 28L would be too small for 6? Its exactly the same as the 'T' version, only 10cm or so less in height. I'm just thinking incase I can't upgrade - but still want happy(happIER) cories.

 

[Cazgar]

I think you could get away with 6 in there as long as it's well filtered & you keep up with your water changes

 

[pablothebetta]

Shall do just that then if it'll make the cories happier. Currently I do about 25% weekly w/cs, would that need 'upping'?

 

[Cazgar]

Just do your usual water changes, pygmys won't add much to the bioload, but do your regular water tests, & if they change from your usual results then you could up the water changes, but I don't think you'll have to tbh

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for all the advice, its been really helpful

I'll look for 2 more pygmys next time I go to a LFS and up the numbers to 8-10 or so if I am able to upgrade - sound an alright plan?

Thankyou very much

 

[pablothebetta]

A quick update.

Went to an LFS today and got another two pygmy cories to make 6, intend to keep the lights off for now to help them settle down.

Bad news about the upgrade though. I found when doing a w/c yesterday that my tank isn't quite level, which surely means that my shelves aren't coping too well with the weight of the tank. Even if it's only an extra 7L or so, I'm not sure if I should risk it. I guess it's goodbye to a larger tank unless I can find another (stronger) surface to put the tank on, which I don't currently have and have no space for another piece of apropriate furniture

EDIT:
Just had a thought - if a new tank had a slightly larger volume but a larger area (the current tank is a little taller than it is wide and deep), would the weight be distributed better, making a newer tank more viable? Just wondering if the weight would be distributed better than it is now, meaning less weight in one place for the shelves to cope with, if that makes sensce. I just don't want to push it though

 

[Cazgar]

Slightly more volume over a longer base should spread the load better, but to be safe it would be better if you can add some extra support.
I've had a similar problem since getting another Betta tank, my shelf was starting to show signs of bending.
I measured the gap & went to a local timber merchant & they cut me a piece of timber so I could slide it into the middle of the shelf & the problem was solved, no more sagging

 

[pablothebetta]

Slightly more volume over a longer base should spread the load better, but to be safe it would be better if you can add some extra support.
I've had a similar problem since getting another Betta tank, my shelf was starting to show signs of bending.
I measured the gap & went to a local timber merchant & they cut me a piece of timber so I could slide it into the middle of the shelf & the problem was solved, no more sagging

I have gaps down each side of the shelves on the inside, between the shelves and the sides. Would pieces of timber down these gaps help to support the extra weight? What about a piece under the main top of the shelves where the tank is? I obviously really don't want these shelves to collapse on me

 

[jenjen_82]

A quick update.

Went to an LFS today and got another two pygmy cories to make 6, intend to keep the lights off for now to help them settle down.

Bad news about the upgrade though. I found when doing a w/c yesterday that my tank isn't quite level, which surely means that my shelves aren't coping too well with the weight of the tank. Even if it's only an extra 7L or so, I'm not sure if I should risk it. I guess it's goodbye to a larger tank unless I can find another (stronger) surface to put the tank on, which I don't currently have and have no space for another piece of apropriate furniture

EDIT:
Just had a thought - if a new tank had a slightly larger volume but a larger area (the current tank is a little taller than it is wide and deep), would the weight be distributed better, making a newer tank more viable? Just wondering if the weight would be distributed better than it is now, meaning less weight in one place for the shelves to cope with, if that makes sensce. I just don't want to push it though

I originally bought a 21 litre tank and within a hour the shelf was bowing so I removed most of water (no fish in tank at that stage LOL) and kept it on the floor until I could buy a stand for the tank the day after. I removed my shelf and put the stand there.

I have since for rid of that tank and upgraded to a 64ltr which is 16 gallons and bought the stand to go with. My water level is also not level but think that's to do with my floor lol.

Good to know the dwarf cories don't add much to the bioload I have 3 panda cories and want to add more but my tank is pretty much fully stocked. They are lovely fish and a lot more active then I thought they would be.

 

[pablothebetta]

Thing is is that I don't have any room for a seperate stand, which is unfortunate. Currently, I think I'll be staying with the 28L

 

[Cazgar]

Some timber cut to size for the edges where you have gaps might help.
Alternatively you could get some of those L shaped metal shelf supports, they're cheap in the DIY stores
& easy to screw into place, & are less obtrusive than timber
If your shelves are long though, adding some support in the centre would be good too

 

[pablothebetta]

I'd guess the shelves are about 1m long. I'll look into those metal supports, I'm not quite sure what you mean but I'll do some googling

I've been considering either an arc tank, clearseal tank (though would probably have it sprayed a colour other than black) or there's the 320T.

Would a tank that's 40 x 28 cm base and 35L put less pressure on a surface than a 28L tank with a base of just over 30 x 30 cm and 28L?

 

[Cazgar]

The load would be spread over a larger area, but the extra 7 litres of water is about 15lbs in weight.
If your shelves are bowing now, then without some strengthening, I wouldn't risk it