I Got My 10-gallon Sorority Tank! Update Page 2

[ThePiggy]

Sounds good!

 

[snowflake311]

UPDATE:

I bought a fry net tonight to put Dolly aka Miss Piggy in during feeding time, and I am happy to report that all my babies are eating! Yay! It was funny/cute 'cause the little ones were wondering what the heck the net was and why Dolly was in it! Also some of the pellets got stuck to the filter, but Patsy figured out how to pluck 'em off LOL too cute and smart! I am still sad/upset about the ripped/torn/split fins, but I know that in time they will grow back. I am just glad that all of them seem to be getting along much better for the most part! Hopefully only things get better and better!

Oh you will have more ripped fins with time. I swear every month they would try and set up a new pecking order. Right when I thougt it was all good. more ripped find. I have been keeping a sorority for about a year now and they still fight on and off and I had them in a 36 Gal tank. If ripped fins and tattered looking bettas are not your thing a sorority tank is not for you. I know I am over it. I know now that I would rather have them in separate tanks from now on.

Yes they learn to tolerate each other that's it.

 

[ReMz]

yeah.. you are always going to have some bickering going on.... can't really be avoided.

Just try to setup a really good tank to try to block line of sight and you can 'reduce' the problem

 

[Syphoniera]

Little_Mermaid, what beautiful girls!

For future reference, I'd just like to mention that 'seeded' filter media needs to go right into the filter, as I don't recall noticing any earlier specification in this thread.
That way the ammonia/nitrites in the water drawn into the filter circulate endlessly over/through the bacteria in the media, which will gradually increase their population and, hence, detoxifying ability according to the food supply, meaning the number and size of fish and any other inhabitants such as invertebrates in the tank which may be producing 'nutrients'.
If the media doesn't fit in the new filter, and you're only using the one tank/filter, the next best thing would be to run both filters for a while, assuming the old one was used within hours on a tank containing fish.
I don't know how your tank is constructed, but on the old-fashioned, basic, canopy type, two HOBs can usually fit in behind, if you have the type with the detachable piece in that area, or otherwise if the light fixture can be separated from the rest to sit on top of the tank, as on my cheapo ones, with Saran Wrap or some such thing forming an inverted trampoline in case of attempted jumpers.
Then, once the new filter and tank are seeded, the old filter can be removed and the tank assembled normally.
However, expensive name brand tanks with built-in everything have become popular, and I've no idea on those.

Melafix, at a half to 3/4 dose, depending, (and don't buy the expensive Betafix which is essentially watered-down Melafix at a higher cost for less) can help torn fins heal well - and a healthy betta heals quickly.
Bettas have to because they (especially males) do tend to have territorial issues and even the nicest betta girls will likely have spats here and there for probably quite some time, unless the pecking order is accepted on a permanent basis, something not likely to happen.
Rather like horses in the pasture, if you've spent time with any.

As advised by others above, lots of 'privacy' will help enormously, and that previously suggested piece of driftwood, thoroughly boiled if at all possible to reduce excess leached tannins and to kill bacteria, mould, fungi or any other nasties which may have arrived with it, would be ideal for forming part of that.
Not only would this provide shelter but help to produce a softer, more acidic water your bettas would appreciate.

If at all possible, it should be made easy for each girl to find a separate place where she's not visible to the others.
As I'm sure you know, problems with bettas are often an issue because there's nowhere for the weaker to run to.
Providing plenty of 'out-of-sight-out-of-mind' spots is about the best we can do in the smaller tank.

And I don't want to make you nervous, but I'd suggest keeping half an eye on the girl with the big tummy.
She's probably fine, and it'll undoubtedly go down shortly if it hasn't already, but if there's any sign of white, stringy poop, you may need to do a little worming or treatment for internal infection - although good luck on sorting out which, if no excreted worms are visible, as they rarely are.
Behaviour is also key: extreme nervousness and/or aggressiveness can be caused by many things, but it's also one of the symptoms of nematode/worm infestation, so if any such signs are present, good observation skills help in attempting to identify any potential problem.

But the odds are good you'll have no serious problems as long as stress levels aren't high, and with plenty of hiding places and the dedicated care you're giving them, I'm sure your lovely girls will live long and healthy lives, making your heart sing.
Probably country tunes, I'm guessing.

 

[little_mermaid]

For future reference, I'd just like to mention that 'seeded' filter media needs to go right into the filter, as I don't recall noticing any earlier specification in this thread.
That way the ammonia/nitrites in the water drawn into the filter circulate endlessly over/through the bacteria in the media, which will gradually increase their population and, hence, detoxifying ability according to the food supply, meaning the number and size of fish and any other inhabitants such as invertebrates in the tank which may be producing 'nutrients'.
If the media doesn't fit in the new filter, and you're only using the one tank/filter, the next best thing would be to run both filters for a while, assuming the old one was used within hours on a tank containing fish.
I don't know how your tank is constructed, but on the old-fashioned, basic, canopy type, two HOBs can usually fit in behind, if you have the type with the detachable piece in that area, or otherwise if the light fixture can be separated from the rest to sit on top of the tank, as on my cheapo ones, with Saran Wrap or some such thing forming an inverted trampoline in case of attempted jumpers.
Then, once the new filter and tank are seeded, the old filter can be removed and the tank assembled normally.
However, expensive name brand tanks with built-in everything have become popular, and I've no idea on those.

I think I did that? I put the old filter behind the new filter?

Melafix, at a half to 3/4 dose, depending, (and don't buy the expensive Betafix which is essentially watered-down Melafix at a higher cost for less) can help torn fins heal well - and a healthy betta heals quickly.
Bettas have to because they (especially males) do tend to have territorial issues and even the nicest betta girls will likely have spats here and there for probably quite some time, unless the pecking order is accepted on a permanent basis, something not likely to happen.
Rather like horses in the pasture, if you've spent time with any.

How often do I add the Melafix? Like I do 20-25% water changes everyday.
And yea, I do understand the pecking order...my life is horses haha (I own a horse)- so I know what you mean!

As advised by others above, lots of 'privacy' will help enormously, and that previously suggested piece of driftwood, thoroughly boiled if at all possible to reduce excess leached tannins and to kill bacteria, mould, fungi or any other nasties which may have arrived with it, would be ideal for forming part of that.
Not only would this provide shelter but help to produce a softer, more acidic water your bettas would appreciate.

How long would I need to boil the driftwood for to make sure it's safe to put in my tank?

And I don't want to make you nervous, but I'd suggest keeping half an eye on the girl with the big tummy.
She's probably fine, and it'll undoubtedly go down shortly if it hasn't already, but if there's any sign of white, stringy poop, you may need to do a little worming or treatment for internal infection - although good luck on sorting out which, if no excreted worms are visible, as they rarely are.
Behaviour is also key: extreme nervousness and/or aggressiveness can be caused by many things, but it's also one of the symptoms of nematode/worm infestation, so if any such signs are present, good observation skills help in attempting to identify any potential problem.

Oh geez I haven't noticed any of that...she just has a weird shape to her. I'll be sure to keep a closer eye on here tho!

But the odds are good you'll have no serious problems as long as stress levels aren't high, and with plenty of hiding places and the dedicated care you're giving them, I'm sure your lovely girls will live long and healthy lives, making your heart sing.
Probably country tunes, I'm guessing.

Thanks so very much for all of the information! And yes, you're right- country music all the way!

Another hint: All of my gals are named after country singers!

 

[ReMz]

In addition to what Syphoniera said..... tannins from driftwood are harmless and sometimes desirable. Personally, I love the 'faded' look of yellowish water in my 30 gallon tank. However, I HATE any lack of clarity in my Oscar tank (call me an idtiot ).

Country?!??!?! no way.... well... not my first choice of music. but some good Alan Jackson, Montgomery Gentry, Clay Walker, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith... etc... love it all.

I'm a rock guy... but grew up with country

 

[little_mermaid]

UPDATE:

Got some problems here...the littlest Betta (Brodie) of the tank has been terrorizing the rest of my gals...especially Dolly aka Miss Queen. This morning I woke up to her with a little bit more split fins (and here she was almost done healing)...and her color looks pale and her stomach area looks white. I put the little terrorizer in the fry net to eat instead of Dolly this time. I am not sure what to do with Brodie. And Brodie's sister (well I am not certain they are sisters but I bought both of them at the same time, at the same store), looks really sick...so I am going to quarantine her for a little bit. I am putting Dolly in a bowl by herself for a little bit too. Now, my other two Betta gals, Reba and Patsy, are doing absolutely fine...barely any ripped/split fins and they seem to get along for the most part with all the rest of the gals. I tell ya, I know some of ya'll said that 3 Bettas can't be together, but Dolly, Reba, and Patsy were fine for the time they were together before I added the other too (Kacie and Brodie)...all the terrorizing happened once I added those two gals I don't know whether I should take both of them back...if the LPS will even let me!

** Just put Kacie the sick lookin' Betta in a separate container, and I took a closer look, and one of her swimming fins has been ripped almost all the way off! There's even a little spot of blood......poor little gal!