bettas in small filtered tanks

[ChazECJr]

OK I am tired of flushing dead fish.

I just killed my second betta, and fourth white cloud.  I am officially ending my attempts to get a betta and white clouds to cohabit in my 2 gal.  A couple people out there claim that they did this successfully, but I am unable to replicate their sucess and I don't believe in third time being the charm.  Besides white clouds are nice enough but do not compare to a nicely colored betta IMO.

Anyway, I believe a number of people here have kept bettas in 1 or 2 gal tanks with some type of filtration.  Can you folks kindly tell me about your water changes?  Some sources indicate partial changes are fine for this type of set up, others indicate you can't keep a 2 gal stable and must do 100% water changes, so I am confused (I thought 100% changes were stressful).  I was doing 25% a week and thought that was OK.  I tested for ammo once or twice a week and it was always zero (when I tested at least).  When I get my next betta I intend to keep him in the Explorer again with only one or two ghost shrimp for tank mates this time.

Thanks for your help.

Charlie

 

[caveman]

Just one question to start with; what type of filtration do you have on your 2 gallon?

Right now I have a three gallon running with three female bettas in it.  I made a DIY undergravel filter, and the only decorations are a small piece of driftwood and some anachris.  To maintain this tank I do 20% water changes every week.  I feed my bettas once a day six days a week.

One betta and a few shrimp should be fine in a two gallon.  One thing I have learned is that if you keep it simple you will most likely be more successful.  Never do 100% water changes, 20% is fine, and be careful not to overfeed, that is the easiest way pollute your tank.  

I hope this helps, good luck.

Caveman

 

[NickM]

I have a betta in a 2 gallon hex with a UGF and an air stone.  I think it was an "AquaScene 2" or something like that.  I did a 50% water change yesterday, that was only because the medication I gave him for fin rot turned the whole tank water yellow (after that I discovered Malafix).  

I have heard stories about people keeping bettas in filthy nasty water with an inch of goo on top of the water, and them living for years....but on the same token I have heard of people having bettas in perfectly clear pristine aquariums and them dieing.  

I guess it's your call.

Nick

 

[equinom]

It's sad to lose fish - but I am a sucker for bettas!

I have 2 guys, each in 2 gal hexs each with UGF with airstones in the lifts.  They each have some plastic plants and kool little caves I made with slate and a bit of silicon.  
Think:  stonehenge.

I used to do 100% water changes - before I learned a little about biofiltration.  Now I vacuum 1X/week, with about 30% water change.

I feed daily - H. Gold, tiny floating pellets.  They get about 2 pellets each.

I have very tiny heaters.  I keep the water about 75F.  Each tank has an LCD thermometer on the side, plus I check it about 2X/week with a floating thermometer.

The only change I plan on making is to try a gang valve so I can eliminate one of the airpumps.  Spouce is complaining about the noise.  (nag, nag, nag)

I did try to put one of the guys into our Eclipse 5 gal hex - and took him out in about 5 minutes!  The current was just too strong - he was struggling.  He appeared to be stuck at the surface, next to the intake tube.  Then he zoomed to the bottom into a cave and glared at me.  Think he even gave me the "fin"    He is now safe and sound again is his private condo.

One book said that when selecting a betta, compare the amount of finnage to the diameter of the body.  Long fins need a large body to supprt them.  The longer, the larger.   Something about the fins being too heavy, sucks all the energy out of them just to move.  They get tired, they get sick.  I didn't know this when I got my first - he didn't last long.  Then I did some reading, and went shopping.  I got the biggest, roundest bodied betta I could find.  (He is not fat, just big scaled...)  He's great - have had him for months now.  This is the sucker that I found flopping around on the kitchen counter, and he survived!

You may want to look for a "roomy" betta.  
Be sure to tell him his jeans do not make his tail look fat!

 

[luvfishies]

My bettas are in 25g-5.5 lightly planted tanks with filtration. the 5.5 has an ACMini, the 2.5 has air-driven internal sponge filter. The waterchange sched is about 50% weekly, sometimes 2x30% weekly.
http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01008960010101  a pic of the little filter I use in the 2.5 gallon tanks....MINUS the carbon, of course.