Buddies for a Betta

[Liz]

Hi all,

I have a planted 6g tank with a betta in it. If algae ever starts
growing in this tank, I'm thinking I'll want something to eat the
algae, and I'm wondering what would work well with the betta - I don't
really like snails, so I'm thinking maybe shrimp or something like an
oto (but I suspect the tank is to small to keep an actual oto happy, so
I'm wondering if there's a similar fish).

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Liz

[js1]

On 2005-11-09, Liz > wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a planted 6g tank with a betta in it. If algae ever starts
> growing in this tank, I'm thinking I'll want something to eat the
> algae, and I'm wondering what would work well with the betta - I don't
> really like snails, so I'm thinking maybe shrimp or something like an
> oto (but I suspect the tank is to small to keep an actual oto happy, so
> I'm wondering if there's a similar fish).
>
> Any suggestions appreciated.
>

Too bad you don't like snails. A single Pomacea bridgesii will do a
pretty good job.

http://www.applesnail.net/


--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

[Liz]

Well, if it turns out I need something and the snail is the best way to
go, I'll probably get a snail... I like the shell color in the photo
on the site you posted.

Liz

[John D. Goulden]

> I have a planted 6g tank with a betta in it. If algae ever starts
> growing in this tank, I'm thinking I'll want something to eat the
> algae, and I'm wondering what would work well with the betta - I don't
> really like snails, so I'm thinking maybe shrimp or something like an
> oto (but I suspect the tank is to small to keep an actual oto happy, so
> I'm wondering if there's a similar fish).

Neon tetras get along well with bettas (more accurate to say that neons and
bettas pretty much ignore each other). Many of my bettas developed appetites
for shrimp (vulnerable after moulting) and snails.

--
John Goulden
mostly goldies, guppies, swordtails and bettas

[Larry Blanchard]

On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:22:48 -0600, John D. Goulden wrote:

>> Any idea how many neons would be comfortable in a 6 gallon with a Betta
>> for company - everything I've read says keep them in groups of 6+ -
>> wouldn't that be too many for a 6g?
>
> Six neons + 1 betta in six gallons is pushing it but would probably be OK.
> Neons are pretty small :)

The fact that it's a planted tank helps - more plants = more fish. Up to
a limit. My guess, based on what I'm doing, is at least 50% overload is
OK if the tank is a jungle.

[Liz]

John,

I wondered about the shrimp and now that you mention moulting, I know
why! (I'd read Bettas might eat some snails.) I was thinking of
something to help keep the tank clean of algae and food that got missed
- which the neons wouldn't do (to my knowledge), though they'd look
fabulous in the tank. I suppose it's possible the plants will help
keep algae from growing (via competition) and between that and cleaning
well, it may not be an issue - as it's a new tank, I'll wait a few
months and see.

Any idea how many neons would be comfortable in a 6 gallon with a Betta
for company - everything I've read says keep them in groups of 6+ -
wouldn't that be too many for a 6g?

Thanks,

Liz

[Larry Blanchard]

On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:16:25 -0800, Liz wrote:

> Meanwhile, my collection of betta stories is starting... Got a call from
> my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are we
> supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-) I told him this was
> normal, he's resting. He had a hard time believing it - said Dart seemed
> to be moving between all the limbs trying them out - I said "it's kinda
> like the dogs turning in circles before they lie down." <g>

I feed my betta, and my other fish, blackworms once a week. I about died
laughing when I caught my (surface eating) betta lying on his side in the
gravel and digging his way under a plant to get a worm that had gotten
away.

He hasn't topped that trick yet, but I'm waiting :-).

[John D. Goulden]

> I wondered about the shrimp and now that you mention moulting, I know
> why! (I'd read Bettas might eat some snails.) I was thinking of
> something to help keep the tank clean of algae and food that got missed
> - which the neons wouldn't do (to my knowledge), though they'd look
> fabulous in the tank. I suppose it's possible the plants will help
> keep algae from growing (via competition) and between that and cleaning
> well, it may not be an issue - as it's a new tank, I'll wait a few
> months and see.
>
> Any idea how many neons would be comfortable in a 6 gallon with a Betta
> for company - everything I've read says keep them in groups of 6+ -
> wouldn't that be too many for a 6g?

Six neons + 1 betta in six gallons is pushing it but would probably be OK.
Neons are pretty small :)

--
John Goulden

[Gill Passman]

Larry Blanchard wrote:
> On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:22:48 -0600, John D. Goulden wrote:
>
>
>>>Any idea how many neons would be comfortable in a 6 gallon with a Betta
>>>for company - everything I've read says keep them in groups of 6+ -
>>>wouldn't that be too many for a 6g?
>>
>>Six neons + 1 betta in six gallons is pushing it but would probably be OK.
>>Neons are pretty small :)
>
>
> The fact that it's a planted tank helps - more plants = more fish. Up to
> a limit. My guess, based on what I'm doing, is at least 50% overload is
> OK if the tank is a jungle.

Hmmm. Not too sure about the neons and a betta - not that I've tried it
myself but I seem to remember various postings against it...maybe search
the archives on betta buddies...

Stocking wise I would probably think you'd be fine. I keep wondering
about getting my bettas buddies - one shares a tank with a stunted platy
and it's a love hate relationship...I've wondered about cories to clean
up any scraps and have had some positive response from this ng when
discussing it - still haven't gone out and done it yet though....

Gill

[Liz]

Thanks John, Larry and Gill. As it's a new tank, I'm in no hurry to
add anything more than the betta (Dart), just thinking longer term.
I'll do a search on betta and neons before I go that route, if I decide
to try it. Similar for cories.

Meanwhile, my collection of betta stories is starting... Got a call
from my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are
we supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-) I told him this
was normal, he's resting. He had a hard time believing it - said Dart
seemed to be moving between all the limbs trying them out - I said
"it's kinda like the dogs turning in circles before they lie down." <g>

Then he says, "I swear every time I come in here he comes out to see me
and if I move to a different side of the tank, he follows me." :-) I
think my husband has a new buddy.

Liz

[Alpha]

He will need jumbo neons. I put small neons with a betta and they were
immediately eaten with gusto.

[IDzine01]

I know how that is Liz. My S.O. thinks I spend too much time doing fish
stuff but as soon as it's time to buy a new betta he HAS to name it. So
far he's named every betta I've had aside from the "office" betta. (Had
to draw the line somewhere) At least he's participating.

-Christie

[Gill Passman]

Liz wrote:
> Thanks John, Larry and Gill. As it's a new tank, I'm in no hurry to
> add anything more than the betta (Dart), just thinking longer term.
> I'll do a search on betta and neons before I go that route, if I decide
> to try it. Similar for cories.
>
> Meanwhile, my collection of betta stories is starting... Got a call
> from my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are
> we supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-) I told him this
> was normal, he's resting. He had a hard time believing it - said Dart
> seemed to be moving between all the limbs trying them out - I said
> "it's kinda like the dogs turning in circles before they lie down." <g>
>
> Then he says, "I swear every time I come in here he comes out to see me
> and if I move to a different side of the tank, he follows me." :-) I
> think my husband has a new buddy.
>
> Liz
>
ROFLOL - Mine "tart" themselves like you wouldn't believe anytime I go
near the tank. I have friends that show a polite interest in the tanks
and then I catch them chatting to the bettas - lol

I never saw the point of what people described to me as "Siamese Fighter
Fish" until I really went out and looked and researched. As far as I'm
concerned Betta, or even more so to give them their true name, Betta
Splendens gives these wonderful fish the name and the dignity that they
deserve. My two bettas have a 20L/5gall tank each - it gives them space,
which however contraversial this might seem - I think they deserve. Yep,
they could share it with other fish but they don't seem to care either
way. Maybe, I can afford this luxury by having other tanks to indulge my
wims with..and yep, I keep wondering what I can put with them. Maybe,
one day, when I find my "holy grail" of more Peacock Gobies the Pandas
that currently share the goby tank will slip in with the bettas but I
can wait until one day I can find them again - sorry going off on my
goby dream (such cool fish and so difficult to find)

Good luck with your betta and I hope your hubby continues to enjoy his
"flare buddy" as much as we enjoy ours

Gill

[Dan White]

"Liz" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Any idea how many neons would be comfortable in a 6 gallon with a Betta
> for company - everything I've read says keep them in groups of 6+ -
> wouldn't that be too many for a 6g?
>

Hi. I just went through the same questions as you. I got 3 jumbo neons to
accomodate the betta in a 5 gallon tank. After seeing the neons snipe at
each other, and some suggestions here, I went ahead and got another 3 for a
total of 6. The bettas and neons completely ignore each other. The neons
are a bit nippy toward each other though. Anyway, I'm told that might work
itself out. The tank doesn't look nearly overstocked to me. In fact it
still looks understocked. I do have a couple of sickly plants and a large
mass of java moss.

good luck,
dwhite

[John D. Goulden]

> from my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are
> we supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-)

One of our first bettas (back when we had no idea at all what we were doing,
as opposed to half an idea now) scared us to death with that - he would work
his way up onto a broad leaf that was just under the water and lay there,
half-in and half-out of the water and gasping for air for long stretches at
a time. Never seemed to do him any harm - he lived a good long time. It did
make us really paranoid about frequent water changes :)

--
John Goulden
mostly goldies, guppies, swordtails and bettas

[Liz]

Thanks, Dan - if I decide to go this way, I'll do it when I can stay
home for a few days and watch to be sure no problems happen at the
start. I hope your neons work out their pecking order and quit pecking
soon. :-)

Larry - I'll keep the blackworms in mind should Dart ever get boring!
<g>

Thanks,

Liz

[Larry Blanchard]

On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:23:12 -0800, Liz wrote:

>
> Larry - I'll keep the blackworms in mind should Dart ever get boring! <g>
>

It's really fun with my platys - one fish on each end of a worm - just
like two puppies playing tug of war :-).

BTW, our LFS is out of blackworms so frequently that I decided to raise my
own in a 2.2 gallon bare tank. There are several websites that tell how
to do it - one good one is from a college in Iowa.

[Liz]

Thanks, Larry!

Liz

[Fallout]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
> I keep wondering what I can put with them. Maybe, one day, when I find my
> "holy grail" of more Peacock Gobies the Pandas that currently share the
> goby tank will slip in with the bettas but I can wait until one day I can
> find them again - sorry going off on my goby dream (such cool fish and so
> difficult to find)
>
> Good luck with your betta and I hope your hubby continues to enjoy his
> "flare buddy" as much as we enjoy ours
>
> Gill

Hi Gill

I'm not sure where you are in UK, but I saw about 3 Peacock Gobies in a LFS
yesterday. They were in Hertfordshire Fisheries, which is in St Albans. I
quizzed the guy about them and they are in local tap water (hard, ph ~8) and
being fed flake. They looked well fed, so I assume they are eating as the
chap said they have been in there for a while.

HTH

- Jon

[Gill Passman]

Fallout wrote:
> "Gill Passman" > wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>I keep wondering what I can put with them. Maybe, one day, when I find my
>>"holy grail" of more Peacock Gobies the Pandas that currently share the
>>goby tank will slip in with the bettas but I can wait until one day I can
>>find them again - sorry going off on my goby dream (such cool fish and so
>>difficult to find)
>>
>>Good luck with your betta and I hope your hubby continues to enjoy his
>>"flare buddy" as much as we enjoy ours
>>
>>Gill
>
>
> Hi Gill
>
> I'm not sure where you are in UK, but I saw about 3 Peacock Gobies in a LFS
> yesterday. They were in Hertfordshire Fisheries, which is in St Albans. I
> quizzed the guy about them and they are in local tap water (hard, ph ~8) and
> being fed flake. They looked well fed, so I assume they are eating as the
> chap said they have been in there for a while.
>
> HTH
>
> - Jon
>
>
Thanks Jon,

I'm in Reading so it's about an hour and half drive which I suppose
would be OK....maybe I'll give them a call and see if they will keep
them for me and then drive up there when I get a chance

Thanks again
Gill

[Tynk]

Liz wrote:
> Thanks John, Larry and Gill. As it's a new tank, I'm in no hurry to
> add anything more than the betta (Dart), just thinking longer term.
> I'll do a search on betta and neons before I go that route, if I decide
> to try it. Similar for cories.
>
> Meanwhile, my collection of betta stories is starting... Got a call
> from my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are
> we supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-) I told him this
> was normal, he's resting. He had a hard time believing it - said Dart
> seemed to be moving between all the limbs trying them out - I said
> "it's kinda like the dogs turning in circles before they lie down." <g>
>
> Then he says, "I swear every time I come in here he comes out to see me
> and if I move to a different side of the tank, he follows me." :-) I
> think my husband has a new buddy.
>
> Liz
Liz wrote:
Meanwhile, my collection of betta stories is starting... Got a call
> from my husband (he works at home and I work away) who asked, "what are
> we supposed to do if Dart is lying in the plants?" :-) I told him this
> was normal, he's resting. He had a hard time believing it - said Dart
> seemed to be moving between all the limbs trying them out - I said
> "it's kinda like the dogs turning in circles before they lie down." <g>
>
> Then he says, "I swear every time I come in here he comes out to see me
> and if I move to a different side of the tank, he follows me." :-) I
> think my husband has a new buddy.
>
> Liz

That's because he has made a buddy. = ) Honestly.
Bettas are aware of their surroundings, and their keepers.
He really IS excited to him.
All that wiggle dancing isn't begging for food. It's for attention as
well.
I have specialzed in Bettas for close to 28 yrs now, so if there's ever
anything you need to know, feel free to ask away.
I find it so cute that your hubby was worried about his little guy
resting on his hammok, oops I mean leaf. ; )
Feel free to email as well if you a Q answered ASAP, as I can go for a
while in between visiting here.

[Liz McGuire]

Thanks, Tynk! Appreciate your willingness to help. We are definitely
enjoying having the little guy around - today I'm going to the pet
store to see if I can find an all-plastic bird ladder with the little
beads that slide back and forth (with no mirror or a removable one)
and see how Dart likes it!

BTW, you can see a picture of Dart here (he's blurry, but you can see
the colors):

http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/6g.jpg (it's kinda big, so be patient
while it loads).

(Am new here, so don't know you from before, but have been glad to
read that you're recovering well after what seems like a difficult
trial; I hope that continues (the recovering well part - not the
difficult trial! <g>).)

Liz


Tynk wrote:
>
> That's because he has made a buddy. = ) Honestly.
> Bettas are aware of their surroundings, and their keepers.
> He really IS excited to him.
> All that wiggle dancing isn't begging for food. It's for attention as
> well.
> I have specialzed in Bettas for close to 28 yrs now, so if there's ever
> anything you need to know, feel free to ask away.
> I find it so cute that your hubby was worried about his little guy
> resting on his hammok, oops I mean leaf. ; )
> Feel free to email as well if you a Q answered ASAP, as I can go for a
> while in between visiting here.

[Gill Passman]

Liz McGuire wrote:
> Thanks, Tynk! Appreciate your willingness to help. We are definitely
> enjoying having the little guy around - today I'm going to the pet
> store to see if I can find an all-plastic bird ladder with the little
> beads that slide back and forth (with no mirror or a removable one)
> and see how Dart likes it!
>
> BTW, you can see a picture of Dart here (he's blurry, but you can see
> the colors):
>
> http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/6g.jpg (it's kinda big, so be patient
> while it loads).
>
> (Am new here, so don't know you from before, but have been glad to
> read that you're recovering well after what seems like a difficult
> trial; I hope that continues (the recovering well part - not the
> difficult trial! <g>).)
>
> Liz
>
>
> Tynk wrote:
>
>>That's because he has made a buddy. = ) Honestly.
>>Bettas are aware of their surroundings, and their keepers.
>>He really IS excited to him.
>>All that wiggle dancing isn't begging for food. It's for attention as
>>well.
>>I have specialzed in Bettas for close to 28 yrs now, so if there's ever
>>anything you need to know, feel free to ask away.
>>I find it so cute that your hubby was worried about his little guy
>>resting on his hammok, oops I mean leaf. ; )
>>Feel free to email as well if you a Q answered ASAP, as I can go for a
>>while in between visiting here.


What a beautiful deep blue - love the tank as well - sort of much like a
lot of mine, very natural :-)

Just got me curious now as to how many people name their bettas....

Gill

[Tynk]

Gill Passman wrote:
> Liz McGuire wrote:
> > Thanks, Tynk! Appreciate your willingness to help. We are definitely
> > enjoying having the little guy around - today I'm going to the pet
> > store to see if I can find an all-plastic bird ladder with the little
> > beads that slide back and forth (with no mirror or a removable one)
> > and see how Dart likes it!
> >
> > BTW, you can see a picture of Dart here (he's blurry, but you can see
> > the colors):
> >
> > http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/6g.jpg (it's kinda big, so be patient
> > while it loads).
> >
> > (Am new here, so don't know you from before, but have been glad to
> > read that you're recovering well after what seems like a difficult
> > trial; I hope that continues (the recovering well part - not the
> > difficult trial! <g>).)
> >
> > Liz
> >
> >
> > Tynk wrote:
> >
> >>That's because he has made a buddy. = ) Honestly.
> >>Bettas are aware of their surroundings, and their keepers.
> >>He really IS excited to him.
> >>All that wiggle dancing isn't begging for food. It's for attention as
> >>well.
> >>I have specialzed in Bettas for close to 28 yrs now, so if there's ever
> >>anything you need to know, feel free to ask away.
> >>I find it so cute that your hubby was worried about his little guy
> >>resting on his hammok, oops I mean leaf. ; )
> >>Feel free to email as well if you a Q answered ASAP, as I can go for a
> >>while in between visiting here.
>
>
> What a beautiful deep blue - love the tank as well - sort of much like a
> lot of mine, very natural :-)
>
> Just got me curious now as to how many people name their bettas....
>
> Gill
I agree with Gill...I love the deep blue.
He's exactly like the veil my daughter talked me into buying when I
bought my Copper Delta. He's got that same blue with the sunset reddish
orangey thing going, that is similar to a Mustard gas (their's would be
the same blue but with yellow instead).
Nice tank for the little dude! Good job.
And Gill....I never name Betta fry, but I will name certain ones. My
daughter names every one of hers, but I tend to name only certain ones.
I have no clue as to why I don't name some, but hey...nobody ever said
I was normal. ROFL! = )~

[Liz McGuire]

Gill Passman wrote:
>
> What a beautiful deep blue - love the tank as well - sort of much like a
> lot of mine, very natural :-)

Glad you like him.

His face is definitely black, and the blue in the picture is more
purple when you see it in sun (as opposed to artificial lighting).
And the color inside his fins is sort of peach-like. I'll try to get
a picture with the colors right (if the sun ever comes out again!) and
post another link. I'll also try to get a good picture of him in
focus (if he'll slow down long enough to let me!).

I'm hoping the plants do well - they've got a lot of Flourite to live
in and as much light as I can get for the tank in question - will have
to see over the long haul - early indications are positive.

Liz

[Liz McGuire]

For those who may be interested, Dart is still alone; was very upset
by the bird toy - I put it in and he flared at it and swam off into a
corner, sulked and flared around the tank for a while, never trying to
get too close to it, so I removed it <g>.

Yesterday I discovered his first ever bubble nest! Unfortunately, I
had to destroy it (for a water change**), but hopefully he's not too
upset. I'm assuming this is a good sign.

**He doesn't seem to like water changes. The top frame of the tank
has a divider going from front to back and as there's so little water
I just use a plastic cup to remove and add water, and I have to
alternate sides because he keeps swimming over to where I put the cup
in - I think he's trying to stop me taking the water out. :-)

Liz


Liz McGuire wrote:
>
> Thanks, Tynk! Appreciate your willingness to help. We are definitely
> enjoying having the little guy around - today I'm going to the pet
> store to see if I can find an all-plastic bird ladder with the little
> beads that slide back and forth (with no mirror or a removable one)
> and see how Dart likes it!
>
> BTW, you can see a picture of Dart here (he's blurry, but you can see
> the colors):
>
> http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/6g.jpg (it's kinda big, so be patient
> while it loads).

[Steve]

Liz McGuire wrote:
> For those who may be interested, Dart is still alone; was very upset
> by the bird toy - I put it in and he flared at it and swam off into a
> corner, sulked and flared around the tank for a while, never trying to
> get too close to it, so I removed it <g>.
>
> Yesterday I discovered his first ever bubble nest! Unfortunately, I
> had to destroy it (for a water change**), but hopefully he's not too
> upset. I'm assuming this is a good sign.
>
> **He doesn't seem to like water changes. The top frame of the tank
> has a divider going from front to back and as there's so little water
> I just use a plastic cup to remove and add water, and I have to
> alternate sides because he keeps swimming over to where I put the cup
> in - I think he's trying to stop me taking the water out. :-)
>
> Liz
>

In a 6 gallon tank you should be able to use a gravel cleaner-type
syphon for water changes. It's important to get the grunge from the
bottom while doing water changes.

I used a hacksaw to shorten the wide part of a gravel syphon, so it
works well in a 2 gallon tank.

Steve

[Gill Passman]

Liz McGuire wrote:
> For those who may be interested, Dart is still alone; was very upset
> by the bird toy - I put it in and he flared at it and swam off into a
> corner, sulked and flared around the tank for a while, never trying to
> get too close to it, so I removed it <g>.
>
> Yesterday I discovered his first ever bubble nest! Unfortunately, I
> had to destroy it (for a water change**), but hopefully he's not too
> upset. I'm assuming this is a good sign.
>
> **He doesn't seem to like water changes. The top frame of the tank
> has a divider going from front to back and as there's so little water
> I just use a plastic cup to remove and add water, and I have to
> alternate sides because he keeps swimming over to where I put the cup
> in - I think he's trying to stop me taking the water out. :-)
>
> Liz
>
>
> Liz McGuire wrote:
>
>>Thanks, Tynk! Appreciate your willingness to help. We are definitely
>>enjoying having the little guy around - today I'm going to the pet
>>store to see if I can find an all-plastic bird ladder with the little
>>beads that slide back and forth (with no mirror or a removable one)
>>and see how Dart likes it!
>>
>>BTW, you can see a picture of Dart here (he's blurry, but you can see
>>the colors):
>>
>>http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/6g.jpg (it's kinda big, so be patient
>>while it loads).

Boris and Bob are still pretty much alone although Bob does have a
stunted Platy to torment - yet again I will say I must move that poor
Platy....

I gave Bob a fake, hollow log the other day. He sniffed at it (or at
least that is the best way of describing it) then swam through and then
came up to the front and did a flare and a little betta dance - and then
he was off again to play with his new toy...maybe don't give up on the
toy concept try something different :-)
Gill

[Koi-lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> I used a hacksaw to shorten the wide part of a gravel syphon, so it works
> well in a 2 gallon tank.
=====================
I saw mini gravel siphons at a local store. They're smaller and narrower
than the ones we're used to using. I think I'll pick one up next time I see
one to do the smaller tanks and large bowls.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Liz McGuire]

Steve,

I use a canister filter to do vacuuming, so I can spend as long as I
want and not worry about how much water is coming out while
vacuuming. When the vacuuming is done, I do a water change. :->
(Call me lazy.)

Liz


Steve wrote:
>
> In a 6 gallon tank you should be able to use a gravel cleaner-type
> syphon for water changes. It's important to get the grunge from the
> bottom while doing water changes.
>

[Liz McGuire]

I caught Dart hiding in a particularly dense area of the plants, which
I had to clean up (some stuff was dying), so I've got a terra cotta
(sp?) pot now to see if he likes that - it's soaking now and I'm
plotting how to smooth the edges...

Liz


Gill Passman wrote:
>
> I gave Bob a fake, hollow log the other day. He sniffed at it (or at
> least that is the best way of describing it) then swam through and then
> came up to the front and did a flare and a little betta dance - and then
> he was off again to play with his new toy...maybe don't give up on the
> toy concept try something different :-)
> Gill

[Steve]

Liz McGuire wrote:
> Steve,
>
> I use a canister filter to do vacuuming, so I can spend as long as I
> want and not worry about how much water is coming out while
> vacuuming. When the vacuuming is done, I do a water change. :->
> (Call me lazy.)
>
> Liz
>

Hey, that's neat! What brand/ model of filter is it? Thanks.

My canister filters (large Fluvals) are a pain to clean -- compared to
emptying a bucket.

Steve

>
> Steve wrote:
>
>>In a 6 gallon tank you should be able to use a gravel cleaner-type
>>syphon for water changes. It's important to get the grunge from the
>>bottom while doing water changes.
>>

[Liz McGuire]

It's a Magnum 350 - the deluxe version with all the accessories for
this very purpose. I use the "fit right" thing and can get most of
the plant matter out of it and I'm just not too worried about what
remains - I only use it for water changes and gravel vacuuming. When
that part of the filter media is too full of hornwort leaves (or
whatever), I'll just replace it.

I do have to put the output at about half power to make sure it's not
too much current and I turn the output so that it's right against the
aquarium wall to further dampen the flow. (If I have a lot of
vacuuming to do (the plants are still getting established in the betta
tank), I empty some water first to be sure I'm not sloshing any
around.)

I don't use their vacuum tube (cuz the tank's only a 6g), I use a
1-inch diameter tube (with 3 different diameters of water line tubing,
one inside the other and the smallest around the cap of the vacuum
tube, to make it work (the vacuum "hose" that comes with the Magnum is
too large for the 1-inch vacuum tube).

http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.asp

Liz


Steve wrote:
>
> Hey, that's neat! What brand/ model of filter is it? Thanks.
>
> My canister filters (large Fluvals) are a pain to clean -- compared to
> emptying a bucket.
>
> Steve

[Daniel Morrow]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Bottom posted.

- --
You can find my public key at https://keyserver1.pgp.com
"Liz McGuire" > wrote in message
...
> It's a Magnum 350 - the deluxe version with all the accessories
for
> this very purpose. I use the "fit right" thing and can get most
of
> the plant matter out of it and I'm just not too worried about what
> remains - I only use it for water changes and gravel vacuuming.
When
> that part of the filter media is too full of hornwort leaves (or
> whatever), I'll just replace it.
>
> I do have to put the output at about half power to make sure it's
not
> too much current and I turn the output so that it's right against
the
> aquarium wall to further dampen the flow. (If I have a lot of
> vacuuming to do (the plants are still getting established in the
betta
> tank), I empty some water first to be sure I'm not sloshing any
> around.)
>
> I don't use their vacuum tube (cuz the tank's only a 6g), I use a
> 1-inch diameter tube (with 3 different diameters of water line
tubing,
> one inside the other and the smallest around the cap of the vacuum
> tube, to make it work (the vacuum "hose" that comes with the Magnum
is
> too large for the 1-inch vacuum tube).
>
> http://marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.asp
>
> Liz
>
>
> Steve wrote:
> >
> > Hey, that's neat! What brand/ model of filter is it? Thanks.
> >
> > My canister filters (large Fluvals) are a pain to clean --
compared to
> > emptying a bucket.
> >
> > Steve

That's awesome! I love your method of vacuuming the tank's gravel
substrate, liz! I will have to try that with a magnum 350 as well.
Good luck and later!

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[Liz McGuire]

:-)

Laziness is the mother of invention! <g>

Liz


Daniel Morrow wrote:
>
>
> That's awesome! I love your method of vacuuming the tank's gravel
> substrate, liz! I will have to try that with a magnum 350 as well.
> Good luck and later!
>