please help

[cschum00]

My betta is in a 5 gallon tank. I'm using the filter that came with it. But I've been reading and am wondering if I should use an undergravel filter instead. What do you guys think? Also I have two 10 gallon tanks that I do water changes on. I only change out 20 to 30% water each week. But I've been reading and I've seen alot of people doing 100% water changes. What do you suggest?

 

[WILDER]

Under gravel filters are not advised with larger fish as they soon blog up, i wouldn't recommend large water changes, test your water before you do a water change in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate that should tell you if you are doing enough water changes.

 

[cschum00]

I guess I'll just keep the filter in there that came with it. The tank I put him in is cycled so I'm pretty sure I can change just 20 to 30% of the water. He doesn't seem to mind the small current from the filter, I was just reading some of you guys' posts. ??? where do you guys get silk plants??? Are they actually for aquariums or are they in the craft section??

 

[newfishies]

they have them in post lfw/lps, even walmart carries some. (they're not real silk)

 

[eudielynn]

My local fish store (lfs) sells silk plants. They usually cost a little more, but I think they look more like real plants than the plastic ones and they won't tear the fish's fins. They also seem to last longer. Little pieces kept coming off my plastic ones.

As for the filter. I have an under gravel filter (ugf) in my tank but only because it is what came with the tank. They work fine for a betta, but if what you have seems to be working and your fish are healthy and happy then I wouldn't change a thing. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[cschum00]

Thanks for responding. I'm going to replace my plastic plants with silk this afternoon. don't want him to hurt his fins. thanks again.