Newbie Questions

[BettaDad]

I'm the proud new caretaker of a betta and I have a couple of questions. This fish was a present along with a 1.5 gallon TopFin plexiglas tank.

Bugsy (well, he had to have a name) seems quite content and definitely reacts to his surroundings and to me. I'm feeding him Hakari Bio Gold and he seems to like that.

The top of his tank is just covered with bubbles and I was wondering if this is something I should be concerned about. The tank has an undergravel filter. There are no live plants in the tank.

Anything else I should know, please share.

Thanks!

 

[Draven]

Congrats! You will love your betta, and he will love you.

The bubbles are either one of two things. Air bubbles, since bettas have a lung and goto the top for air. Or, a bubblenest, which means he is very very happy at home and is getting comftrable.

A UGF (undergravel filter) is a fine thing, just make sure you clean them rocks. I would consider a small plant, maybe just a small Java Fern. Bettas love to have a place to curl up and hide or rest. Plus, plants help keep the water cleaner (if they are healthy plants and maintained) and are a real benefit!

Theres lots of good info here, ask any questions you have!

 

[Acrus]

When i owned my betta, on top of having a live plant, i included a nice little snail. I found this kept the tank nice and clean if i couldn't clean old food and such. The snail just gobbled up all the waste, and i kept this going for about 4 years.

 

[BettaDad]

Thanks for your response, Draven.

These bubbles seem to be coming from the filter, not like a bubble nest. The tank is a hex shape, about 4 inches per side and the bubble are literally wall to wall.

 

[jacblades]

is there any way you can adjust the filter flow? (probably not since its a ugf ) i dont see how a ugf could cover the surface in bubbles... are you sure the betta is not doing it?

 

[sumer_kay]

I had a tank like that, and although it was too much current for my betta to make bubble nests, he lived happily for 3 years. If you can constrict the air tubing, so that less air is being pushed through, maybe you could reduce the current.

*note* my tank was 5 sided, with not all sides equal. Came with lid, and undergravel filter system, ie: air pump, and stone, and plastic tube, and one plastic plant.

hope that helps! welcome to the wonderful world of bettas!!

 

[BettaDad]

I think you might be on to something Sumer_Kay...

The pump does pump a lot of air. I'll try restricting it a bit.

I was mainly concerned as to whether these air bubbles would have a harmful effect in any way on the betta.

 

[jacblades]

stupid me-i knew that.

yes they make valves you can put on the airlines. ive got these and i really like them.

 

[Dane]

I have a tank just like that, except it's two gallons. The air system creates big and small bubbles. The smaller ones tend to be pushed to the edges where the glass is, building up a little throughout the perimeter of the tank. I've noticed the bubbles that bettas make, are quite larger than the ones created by the air system. There's nothing wrong with the water, but if there's too much current in the tank, bettas prefer a more calm atmosphere.

 

[Grams]

well thats a good sign because when male bettas make bubble nests its a sign of healthiness

 

[BettaDad]

Well, the reduced airflow seems to have solved the extra bubbles problem.

My betta doesn't seem to mind the current at all. In fact he plays directly in the flow of the bubbles out of the filter tube.

This little fish has more personality than 90% of the people I know. 8)

Thanks to all who offered suggestions. For now I just have a little clamp on the air line. I'll be getting one of those valves jacblades suggested.

 

[f250fisherman]

I would like to add that keeping a betta in a 1.5 is ok..but you have to keep check on the water quality. Even with a undergravel filter, you will not let the water stay in the tank long enough to cycle the tank. A small tank is very hard to get to cycle..and then maintain the cycle. Since bettas are prone to disease when kept in unclean water, doing water changes is a must. By using the undergravel filter and gravel..it will be hard to clean the tank when doing the water changes. A tank that size will need changed twice a week to keep it clean. It can be done...you just have to keep a careful eye on it. An easier way, but not as eye appealing, is to not use the filter or gravel. You can easily clean the tank and change water. If you only have a betta or two..keeping up with tanks with gravel is not so bad . Just don't put it off. In a clean bottom 1 gal tank, you will see signs of PH in 4 days.

 

[Dane]

I never really understood undergravel filters.

 

[Sorrell]

I would like to add that keeping a betta in a 1.5 is ok..but you have to keep check on the water quality. Even with a undergravel filter, you will not let the water stay in the tank long enough to cycle the tank. A small tank is very hard to get to cycle..and then maintain the cycle. Since bettas are prone to disease when kept in unclean water, doing water changes is a must. By using the undergravel filter and gravel..it will be hard to clean the tank when doing the water changes. A tank that size will need changed twice a week to keep it clean. It can be done...you just have to keep a careful eye on it. An easier way, but not as eye appealing, is to not use the filter or gravel. You can easily clean the tank and change water. If you only have a betta or two..keeping up with tanks with gravel is not so bad . Just don't put it off. In a clean bottom 1 gal tank, you will see signs of PH in 4 days.

He'll be fine in this tank. 1.5 gallons is a great home for a betta All my boys are in 1 gals with UGFs and I do water changes once a week with a turkey baster so I can clean the gravel too at the smae time. No problems.


Fisherman-what do you mean you'll see signs of pH in 4 days? pH doesn't "develop" it's simply a quality of your water...

edit-I should say it's a characteristic of your water, as quality would be determined by what fish you're keeping...

 

[BettaDad]

Thanks for that clarification, Sorrell.

I noticed some slime build up on the little ceramic cave I put in the tank for Bugsy. Is this normal or should I be doing something to eliminate algae?