I Want To Turn A 4 Gallon Jar Into A Tank...

[tekisui]

I found a 4 gallon mason jar a couple of months ago. It is large and tall. It doesn't have a lot of potential surface area when filled with water. I have a heater that could heat the water.

I don't have another filter. Is there any fish that would do well in a 4 gallon tall tank without a filter and a light? I have a Betta, and may put him in it, without the heater. Would any other fish do well or better in that type of tank?

 

[fifefish]

In my opinion I would not keep any fish in a Jar since it is very hard to situate a filter and heater in them, the Jar would not provide enough surface area for a good exchange of gases. Also it would need twice weekly water changes.
A Betta will need:
at least 3 gallons of water
a good amount of surface movement and surface area
they require at least a small air driven sponge filter
The only way you will be able to have a Betta in a unheated 'Aquarium' is if, you were to situate the 'Aquarium' in a room that has very little fluctuation in temperature. This temperature must be at least 75°F(24°C).

 

[tekisui]

In my opinion I would not keep any fish in a Jar since it is very hard to situate a filter and heater in them, the Jar would not provide enough surface area for a good exchange of gases. Also it would need twice weekly water changes.
A Betta will need:
at least 3 gallons of water
a good amount of surface movement and surface area
they require at least a small air driven sponge filter
The only way you will be able to have a Betta in a unheated 'Aquarium' is if, you were to situate the 'Aquarium' in a room that has very little fluctuation in temperature. This temperature must be at least 75°F(24°C).

Thank you for the reply. I have kept a betta in a 1 gallon bowl with nothing for years. I feel a little bad about that. I though a 4 gallon jar would be an improvement. The jar is about 8 inches in diameter, much greater than his bowl. I can add the heater to maintain the temperature for him. Here is a picture of the jar, it is huge.

http/photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...455_5173428.jpg

 

[fifefish]

though the jar is 8" in diameter I still think that the opening at the top is to small for maintenance and exchange of gases.

 

[tenohfive]

That jar is too small for fish. If there isn't room for a filter there shouldn't be fish in there.

I've kept fish in an unfiltered tank when I was new to the hobby, and later realised my mistake. I know it'd be a lovely novelty but you can't keep fish in there.

 

[tekisui]

That jar is too small for fish. If there isn't room for a filter there shouldn't be fish in there.

I've kept fish in an unfiltered tank when I was new to the hobby, and later realised my mistake. I know it'd be a lovely novelty but you can't keep fish in there.

Thanks for the advice. I am realizing the error of my previous ways. I have kept bettas in unfiltered tanks for years. The problem I have now is that I have a 20 gallon community tank, and had put my current betta in there. He bullied the other fish, so I had to take him out, but it breaks my heart to put him back in a bowl. I thought the large container would be better. I don't have the room or means to get another filtered tank for just the betta.

 

[Honeythorn]

In which case cut a piece of perspex to fit your 20 gallon tank in a very snug fit at the sides, drill holes all over it to allow water to flow through, and use this to section off a 10 inh long end of your 20 gallon tank.

Bettas make very poor community fish as you have now discovered.

Keeping one in less than 5 gallons, espescially unheated and unfiltered is both cruel and unnessecary. These fish may be able to survive in small amounts of water, but this is NOT an excuse for you to keep them that way permanently. I don't care how many years you've been keeping fish, there's no need for it.

If you have space for a 4 gallon jar (which should never ever be used as a home for fish, the surface area is too small and the shape makes heating and filtering a pain in the ###### ) Then you most certainly have space for a 5 gallon tank. It's hardly rocket science to move some stuff around to accomodate a 5 gallon tank. I know for an absolute FACT that a 5 gallon tank will fit in a space just over 12 inches square.

That means it wiill fit on a small table , a kitchen worksurface, a desk, a sideboard. I have one on a small table in the corner of the dining room , it's the hex tank in my signature . The other small tank in the bottom right picture ( the smaller tank on the right ) will fit in a space 12 inches square. I've just measured it so I know I'm right.

I will bet my last fiver you have the space for a 5 gallon tank. Mosty people do. Just shift some stuff.

You also do not need to go out and spend a fortune on a brand new tank. There are PLENTY of places you can get one second hand. Ebay, Garage sales, Car boot sales, craigslist, newspaper classifieds, freecycle. Many of these tanks will be at a very low price, sometimes even free. Many often come with equipment such as heater and filters.

You can MAKE a sponge filter in a few minutes. The link is in this very section. Here is the link

CLICK ME FOR DIY FILTER


You now have absolutely no excuse not to filter that bettas tank
. None at all.

 

[tekisui]

My betta thanks you.

 

[tenohfive]

Whereabouts are you based? If you're UK based small tanks are easily picked up for £5-10, filters less than a fiver.

If you're anywhere near me I've got a 20ish litre hexagonal tank your betta can have for free.

 

[Rediahs]

Don't understand what everyone's on about. That jar is perfect for a betta. You don't NEED a filter. #### #### it's just one 1-2 inch low-waste labrynth lung fish in 4 gallons. He'll be fine without a filter. Just keep up with the water changes - aim for 100% a week. This can be done daily or just do it all at once at the end.

If you get a test kit, you can easily show yourself that the ammonia and nitrite are staying below 0.25 ppm consistently if you have done enough water changes on it.

I keep my bettas in 3.5 gallon tanks with only a heater, no filter. They are fine. Frequent water changes suffice perfectly. Bettas enjoy still water, and they breathe air from the surface, so there is no need to oxygenate or agitate the water.

I think many of the people here aren't used to thinking of bettas slightly differently than most fish. It's not true that they enjoy being cramped in small quarters, but 4 gallons is plenty. It is, however, true, that they aren't used to moving water, don't need well-oxygenated water, and that having one fish in 4 gallons will not become a toxic cesspool unless you ignore it for weeks on end.

 

[BecciMac1987]

* ducks and waits for Honeythorn *

 

[MermaidMel]

* ducks and waits for Honeythorn *

LOL!

 

[Inchworm]

Don't understand what everyone's on about. That jar is perfect for a betta. You don't NEED a filter. #### #### it's just one 1-2 inch low-waste labrynth lung fish in 4 gallons. He'll be fine without a filter. Just keep up with the water changes - aim for 100% a week. This can be done daily or just do it all at once at the end.

Well, thank you for getting this thread back to reality, Chrissi. To hear everyone carrying on these days, if the same rules applied to humans, we would all be living in palaces.




BTW, it might be a good idea to watch your language though. We are a family forum.

 

[Rediahs]

it might be a good idea to watch your language though. We are a family forum.

Haha... I don't even know what I said. I don't think I used any curse word and yet it censored it. I wish I could remember what it was.

 

[Honeythorn]

Bettas enjoy still water, and they breathe air from the surface, so there is no need to oxygenate or agitate the water.

Sponge filters do not agitate the water enough to disturb a betta ,provide a far more stable biological system and having a small basic sponge filter is less stressful on the fish that continua daily water changes .

They do not come from still water. They come from slow moving water systems and swamp streams . Even paddy field irrigation systems have a flow.

FAIL.