Neon Girl's Beta

[jmiller]

Here is my Grand-daughter's Beta. She's been dubbed "Neon Girl" by another forum member for her particular design of a 10 gallon community tank. While she has gotten away from the neon you will definitely see she still has pretty bold ideas.

The above pic is how he was before I found this forum. I had been given some bad advice on the 10 gallon setup so I thought that I had better check on the Betta. Sure enough more bad advice. He was living in a 1 1/2 gallon with no heat or filter, thankfully it had only been a few weeks. After a quick trip to the LFS,

His new 5 1/2 gal tank with heater. I did a little research and have a Azoo Palm filter on order that should be here in a few days. I set everything up last weekend and here it is now.

I know it's a bit sparse but we plan on going out this weekend to pick up a few more things for it. Probably some tall plants and a large rock or something for the center. I tried to take a close up but this is the best I could get, introducing Fishy Fishy Egwin Rudolph (I have no idea how she came up with the name, she's almost 5).

 

[ellena]

He's lovely Well done on upgrading the tank for him. With filter and heater in there, he'll be very happy. When you go shopping this weekend, buy as many silk plants as you can afford. Or maybe see if you can get one of those bundle deals from eBay instead. He needs lots and lots of plants and a cave to hide in

 

[syd_the_rabbitsnail]

well done on the upgrade im sure Fishy Fishy Egwin Rudolph will be very happy

 

[cheekysbabe]

Congrats. lovely guy your grand-daught has got there.

 

[jmiller]

Neon girl wasn't available today so I had to go shopping by myself and here is what I came up with:

I think this will a nice little cave for him. I'll clean it up tomorrow and glue it together. I also bought a large (purple of coarse) plant that shoud give lots of cover. I'll post pics once I get it all set up.

I've read on here that most people use super glue to bond the rocks together, is that correct?

 

[Loops]

Lovely, tank really getting better, def more plants, just make sure there are no sharp edges on the cave as Betta's will rip thier long fins

The cave looks great though!

 

[jmiller]

Thanks. I got it put together and everything in. The filter is due Wednesday. It still looks like it could use a few more plants.

Here are the water readings before the 75% WC and gravel vac.
HR PH 7.8
Ammonia 0+ / just a touch
Nitrite 1.0 ?
Nitrate 10.0

 

[Haych]

looking very good

I like the home-made cave

 

[jmiller]

Thanks. So far I haven't seen him in it. That plant on the other hand, he loves it. He blends in perfectly with the leaves.

 

[silverrabbit]

That looks really good

Until the ammonia and nitrite readings are down to complete zero (are you using test strips or a liquid kit btw? Strips are very inaccurate), you should do frequent large water changes

 

[jmiller]

Look what came in today's mail:

The Azoo palm I ordered. When I first hooked it up he was not amused. Went to the far corner of the tank away from the current and stayed there. Once I got the plastic deflector in place all was right in the world again.

I'm currently using a liquid API kit, but doing regular 50% WC and gravel vacs twice a week. In all the tests I've done so far (in two weeks) I've never had a reading in either tank above zero for Nitrite.

Tomorrow a 50% WC and gravel vac are scheduled.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Perfect! Beautiful set-up.

Quick note. . .in your photo, you have a 50 watt heater. . .just a heads up - with a 5.5 gallon tank, a 25-watt is what is recommended.

 

[jmiller]

That was the smallest one the LFS had. It has an adjustable temp control if that makes any difference. It stays a constant 79*.

Well so much for not liking the current. I've caught him several times swimming through "the tube".

 

[loraxchick]

the 50 wt heater should be fine, especially if has a controllable thermostat. ive just had to swith out my 25wt on a 5 gal for a 50 as is getting rather cold here and the heater couldnt keep up.
as for the filter current-some bettas do enjoy a good romp thru the output. mine goes nuts for bubbles from the sponge filter (thinks its a carnival ride
loving the new setup and betta!
cheers

 

[jmiller]

Readings night before last was:
HR PH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0+ / just a touch
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 10.0

I did a 75% WC and gravel vac

last night was:
HR PH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0+ / just a touch
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 5.0

Tonight was:
HR PH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0+ / just a touch
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 5.0

Did another 50% WC and gravel vac.

I'll test again tomorrow but shouldn't that 75% WC have lowered the Nitrite levels some?