chibikaie Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Right now, I have a 5.5 gallon tank with one female betta (has a large hang-on breeder box attempting to grow out moss, but no other livestock). There isn't much tabletop space left, but I was in PetSmart today picking up litter and couldn't resist checking out the options for another one. a) Top Fin 2.6 gallon cube with lid, LED and internal filter - really cool looking, of course the LED is probably useless, I would almost definitely use a sponge filter instead, and so it's a very pricey plastic box standard 2.5 gallon tank with clear lid - better price, more flexible, kind of boring I feel that either of these would be a bit on the small side for a healthy colony of shrimp. However ... Maybe I could move the betta to one of these and redo the 5.5 gallon for shrimp? Thoughts? Advice? Should I do a bigger tank? ctaylor3737 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 swapping is probably a good idea. but just be more aware with smaller tanks you really have to stay on top of your water parameters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Very true. I'll set up a budget for planting it - that should help, right? I've run planted filterless betta tanks before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamashack Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 As a betta owner I would say please don't try to keep one in anything smaller than a 5G as it would be just too cramped. They need a decent swimming space with a heater and decent filtration. It would be like making someone live in the cupboard under the stairs with no fresh air and only a bucket for waste that might get changed weekly - they might survive, but they definitely wouldn't be well or thrive. If a 2.5G is too small for shrimp then it is definitely far too small for a betta. If you want to go ahead and use the 5.5G for shrimp, consider rehoming the betta rather than housing it in something that is less than adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 I tried to rehome her over a year ago - no responsible takers even if I offered tank and equipment, so I've given up. She's become a depressing object lesson in why I should never rescue fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miwu Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I actually don't think a 2.5 gallon tank will be too small for a betta? Go bare bottom and keep up with water changes. Most show breeders keep them in gallon jars or smaller containers. I'd go with swapping if you just don't have room for another 5.5 gallon. PS. But why do you not want to rescue fish because others don't? You should rescue fish especially because others don't. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Lol, just because I know I shouldn't (because no one will adopt) doesn't mean I won't. I may replant her tank. I'd really like to do that, I just need to work out how to do it without also transferring hair algae back into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Right now, I have a 5.5 gallon tank with one female betta (has a large hang-on breeder box attempting to grow out moss, but no other livestock). There isn't much tabletop space left, but I was in PetSmart today picking up litter and couldn't resist checking out the options for another one. a) Top Fin 2.6 gallon cube with lid, LED and internal filter - really cool looking, of course the LED is probably useless, I would almost definitely use a sponge filter instead, and so it's a very pricey plastic box standard 2.5 gallon tank with clear lid - better price, more flexible, kind of boring I feel that either of these would be a bit on the small side for a healthy colony of shrimp. However ... Maybe I could move the betta to one of these and redo the 5.5 gallon for shrimp? Thoughts? Advice? Should I do a bigger tank? I am trying to breed a pair of bettas hopefully they will any day now. He was building a,nest before I put the female in so hopefully they get going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamashack Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Have you bred bettas before, Chris? I understand it's quite tricky trying to get the timing right for firstly conditioning them to each other and then separating them after they've mated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted September 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 I've been told that my girl looks like she's full of eggs and ready to breed. I can see the ovipositor, so I guess that's possible. But I've never done anything special. (Or, well, she could just be fat.) Since there was a cold snap, I unearthed a heater for the crayfish tank, and moved Miss Piggy the Omnicidal Betta to one side of their tank (yes, there's a divider, and a snug-fitting lid). So I've freed up the 5.5 gallon. At the same time, I've come to the conclusion that I need to move the downoi/Pogostemon helferi out of my bigger tank. It's not getting enough light, and I am pretty sure I can correct that if I set the smaller tank up correctly. So I just need to decide on a substrate (I've been less than thrilled with everything I've used so far) and rig some lighting (cfl in a clamp lamp). Any suggestions? I don't need/want an active/buffering substrate, it'd be overkill for the plants and shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Planted and hopefully growing biofilm with some ramshorns! Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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