Is An Airpump Ok To Use With Bettas?

[Ogrt48]

Hi everyone. I got a betta boy in july and have had him in a little half gal. tank until today! Petland had a 10gal start kit on sale for only $12 so I went ahead and bought it since I had the money. =) Now my question is, it came with gravel, food, chemicals and an airpump.. I want to make sure its ok to put the airpump in a bottom back corner with a betta. I just wanna have it in there to have it.. but I need to make sure its ok. Thanks =)

 

[bettaBetta]

Their are ways if you needed it, but since you don't seem to have a special reason than, I'd say don't bother. If you must get a bubble counter and put it on low.

 

[Luke_e]

I've heard some people use them to break the oily film that appears on the surface of the tank if it isnt filtered. But if this doesnt happen on your tank, then i wouldnt bother putting it in unless you try it, and if the betta isnt bothered by it then should be fine, as long as its on low and there isnt too much surface agitation *sp*.

 

[Ogrt48]

I actually just got this new tank and stuff about 30 minutes before I posted this. I put the gravel in and fake plants in, added water and the chemical then the air pump. I love the bubbles on top, and no its not covered. I'm just waiting for the water to settle. Its still kinda dark inside and I want it to become clear before putting my betta in it. He's in a coke bottle right now.. just because I took him out of his old tank to put a new fish in it. Now I just need to get him some friends tonight =)
I just wish the dang water would clear faster.

 

[Luke_e]

Clear?
Havent you washed the gravel? And by the chemical your on about the declorinator?

 

[Ogrt48]

Yeah I did, and yes thats the chemical I'm talking about. I just suck at spelling in english so I just called it the chemical instead >.< I washed the gravel before hand it when I added the first few gals of water to the tank it was fine but towards the end for some reason it got a tad cloudy/dark.

 

[Luke_e]

Hmmm, not sure, as if you've washed everything it shouldnt be cloudy.
Did you wash the tank itsself, and the plants etc?

 

[Ogrt48]

Yeah I did. I never had this problem with my half gal. I think its this cheaper gravel I'm not sure =\ I just turned the air pump off to see if the stuff settles faster. I'm not putting anyone in it until it does. I'd just change the water tonight if it doesn't. I just can't figure a way to easily change a 10gal tank yet >< Took forever to fill her up with a bucket and trips to the water supply

Sorry if I sound like a bad owner, I'm trying my best. I'm learning as I go. =\

 

[Luke_e]

You sound nothing like a bad owner, more like a concerned one .

I dont have a clue why its gone cloudy, i suggest removing the water, recleaning the gravel and tank, readding the clorinator (basically do what you did before) and see if it improves.

 

[Ogrt48]

I'll do that tomorrow after work if it doesn't clear up by then. The kit only included enough of the chemical for the first setup so I need more of that. I'll just let him stay in his coke bottle for now. It's a 2 liter with the top 1/4 cut off so its like a deep bowl. He seems to like it anyways.

 

[Durbkat]

I belive your supposed to cycle the tank since it is a 10g and that means either to add ammonia which you can get at a pet store for two weeks before you add fish to it. Whats is the dechlorinator called and how much did you put in the tank? Also you didn't use soap when you rinsed the gravel did you?

 

[Luke_e]

Not sure if he is ok in a 2 litre coke bottle for more than a few hours. If i was you i'd add him to the tank, as i doubt the cloudyness will harm him if you've cleaned and declroniated it properly, but its up to you.

I belive your supposed to cycle the tank since it is a 10g and that means either to add ammonia which you can get at a pet store for two weeks before you add fish to it. Whats is the dechlorinator called and how much did you put in the tank? Also you didn't use soap when you rinsed the gravel did you?

If you do regualar water changes per week, it doesnt need to be cycled if its only got a betta in (i think this is correct, not 100% sure, so dont quote me on it).

 

[Ogrt48]

No soap at all. I put piles of the gravel into a little fish catcher thingy like they use at pet stores to catch fish. I then put that under running water and let the water run through it for a good time while flipping it around, dumping the clean gravel into a clean bucket and after all of its cleaned like that I poured water into bucket to test it and it all was clear in there which is why this is all puzzling me =\

The tank came with two chemicals. The first one is "stress coat with healing power of aloe vera. it says "protects fish with aloe vera and removes chlorine from tank" It was a 5ml packet that says "treats 10 U.S. Gallons" It also came with "Stress Zyme for fresh and saltwater aquariums "improves the development of your biological filter to keep your aquarium clean" I did not put the 2nd one in since I dont know what it really does or if its safe to add.

 

[Luke_e]

I'd add the betta personally, as a 2liter bottle isnt suitable imo for more than 24hrs. If you've done the cleaning correctly, he should be fine in the tank for now.

 

[Ogrt48]

Ah ok, I'll add him tonight once I've checked the temp to make sure thats safe atleast. thanks =)