5gal Hex-bio wheel-Betta & Cat or 2 small fish & Cat?

Hello,

I've been reading through some of the postings at this group and at
afew aquarium sites and just joined, any advice even though my new tank
is small would be appreciated. Perhaps later on I'll get a larger
tank...

After having had an aquarium many years ago when we were kids, I bought
a small 5 gallon Aquatech Hex with the bio wheel and the blue/white
carbon filter. I also got the 5-15gal heater since it is adjustable
and since we don't have central air/heating, it can get pretty cool in
our house during winter. I also have a small thermometer attached
inside and will get the small strip thermometer for the outside.
I set up the tank Sunday evening, with a little less than the 5# bag of
gravel, a few smooth stones, a plaster driftwood ornament (where fish
can hide or swim through underneath), 1 small round coral
ornament-about 2 3/4" in diameter, and bought two lilly bulbs in a
pack, will see how these grow, supposedly in about 20 days. I did
initially put 2 5# bags of gravel but read about how much harder it
will be to maintain and clean too much gravel-so took out a little more
than half, the bottom is covered well.
After reading on the web in this group and at other sites about the 1"
(full grown)/ gallon rule, I see how limited my options are. I didn't
want to start out with a large tank but perhaps I should have bit the
bullet and at least got a 20 or 29 gallon tank.
I'm leaning toward a male betta and maybe one of the small albino
catfish later on to help keep the tank kind of clean. I'll get the
vacuum gravel cleaner, will get the test strips that also check for
ammonia before I put any fish in. I've had a couple of male bettas
before, they are sweet-had them in bowls (medium sized, about half a
gallon), realize they do need better living conditions-I know the cool
house in the winter did them in, and they need more than betta flake
food-brine shrimp, blood worms for their diet.
If I get the small catfish, did I read right in that they eat algae
tablets and brine shrimp for their diet? Do they have to have the
algae tabs every day since don't they eat the stuff at the bottom of
the tank?
One more question-when I removed the excess gravel from the tank, I
noticed a small amount of fine dust from the gravel on some of the
larger stones, the driftwood ornament and coral, and a little on the
outer lower tube of the pumps intake, Would the gravel vacuum remove
this or will I have to take everything out again and re-rinse
everything?
I realize this is a small tank, not the larger tanks that most people
have but any advice would be appreciated, small tank owners chime in
also, please- thanks and
regards,

ko57

ko57 wrote:
Hello,

I've been reading through some of the postings at this group and at
afew aquarium sites and just joined, any advice even though my new tank
is small would be appreciated. Perhaps later on I'll get a larger
tank...

After having had an aquarium many years ago when we were kids, I bought
a small 5 gallon Aquatech Hex with the bio wheel and the blue/white
carbon filter. I also got the 5-15gal heater since it is adjustable
and since we don't have central air/heating, it can get pretty cool in
our house during winter. I also have a small thermometer attached
inside and will get the small strip thermometer for the outside.
I set up the tank Sunday evening, with a little less than the 5# bag of
gravel, a few smooth stones, a plaster driftwood ornament (where fish
can hide or swim through underneath), 1 small round coral
ornament-about 2 3/4" in diameter, and bought two lilly bulbs in a
pack, will see how these grow, supposedly in about 20 days. I did
initially put 2 5# bags of gravel but read about how much harder it
will be to maintain and clean too much gravel-so took out a little more
than half, the bottom is covered well.
After reading on the web in this group and at other sites about the 1"
(full grown)/ gallon rule, I see how limited my options are. I didn't
want to start out with a large tank but perhaps I should have bit the
bullet and at least got a 20 or 29 gallon tank.
I'm leaning toward a male betta and maybe one of the small albino
catfish later on to help keep the tank kind of clean. I'll get the
vacuum gravel cleaner, will get the test strips that also check for
ammonia before I put any fish in. I've had a couple of male bettas
before, they are sweet-had them in bowls (medium sized, about half a
gallon), realize they do need better living conditions-I know the cool
house in the winter did them in, and they need more than betta flake
food-brine shrimp, blood worms for their diet.
If I get the small catfish, did I read right in that they eat algae
tablets and brine shrimp for their diet? Do they have to have the
algae tabs every day since don't they eat the stuff at the bottom of
the tank?
One more question-when I removed the excess gravel from the tank, I
noticed a small amount of fine dust from the gravel on some of the
larger stones, the driftwood ornament and coral, and a little on the
outer lower tube of the pumps intake, Would the gravel vacuum remove
this or will I have to take everything out again and re-rinse
everything?
I realize this is a small tank, not the larger tanks that most people
have but any advice would be appreciated, small tank owners chime in
also, please- thanks and
regards,

ko57

I've got two 5 gall heated tanks - I have one male Betta in each of
them. I toy with the idea of adding some Cories from time to time but
haven't got round to it yet. The Betta's look great in these little
tanks and swim around them actively :-). I also have a 7.5 gall heated
Hex tank in which I keep Peacock Gobies (difficult to find) and Panda
Cories.

When looking at catfish what they eat really depends on the species.
Otos will eat algae but the otos I have in one of my larger tanks will
only eat real live algae - I had them in one of the 5 galls once and
there just was not enough food to sustain them hence their move. Corys
won't eat the algae but are great fun to watch - mine get catfish
pellets along with bloodworm and brine shrimp. They do root around in
the bottom taking up some waste food. Both Cories and Otos need to be
kept in groups - I have 5 in my 7.5 gall although I have heard that they
do well enough with just 3.

The main problem that I get with my 5 gall tanks is controlling the
temperature as the lights heat such a small volume of water quite
quickly so this is something to watch for - that being said I still need
the heaters when the temperatures drop overnight. The second most common
problem is issues with water quality - a smaller tank is less tolerant
to any changes - (less water to dilute it). Rather than a second
thermometer I would suggest investing in a Water Test Kit - you will
want to monitor ammonia, nitrite, pH and nitrate initially as the tank
cycles....You will also need to do more frequent (larger) water changes
on a tank of this size along with the gravel vacs to maintain the
quality. Personally I would get at least one ready grown plant in
addition to your bulbs.

As for fish there are any number of fish that you could put in depending
on your water type. I'm biased towards the betta idea - but a small
school of tetras could also look good....others on this group are also
full of ideas on this....

Gill

Thanks for your input, Gill-

I'm waiting to introduce any fish, keeping an eye on the heater-plugged
in and unplugged, how it relates to our fluctuating temperatures day &
night. So far, inside today, no house heaters-it's moderate at 74
degrees, the tank heater's not plugged in and hood light off the water
was 74 also. About half an hour ago I plugged it in, barely nudging
the lever, it hadn't come on and if so not right away, so at least it
does have an off or close to that setting. About 74.5 degrees now,
nudged the lever a bit more. If I put it to the arrow that it suggests
my tank the first night got up to 84d, so I unplugged it.

I realize the water especially in the smaller tanks might need more
careful maintenance. Gill, can you give me an idea of how much and how
frequent your water changes are? I'm wondering if you do something
like 20% once a week for say 3 weeks then at the fourth week maybe a
larger percentage? Any tips on this would be appreciated also. I got
my equipment at WalMart; I've seen testing strips that include the
ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ph and perhaps a couple of other things on
one strip that I can order off the web if Wal doesn't have that. I
wanted to get those little strip thermometers that go on the outside
glass-about $1.49-for a quick look, and noticed they have the gravel
vacs, so will probably stop in this evening.

I notice that gravel dust looks like it's on the surface of the water
like a "pool", maybe slime?? Doesn't cover the top totally but it's
floating-I'd definitely say from the gravel. I'll check the filter
inlet tube, I don't think it would be clogged but... Do you think the
vacuum would clear that and the dust that settled on the rocks? If not
I guess I'll take everything out & do a final rinse with anti-chlor
added to my rinse water. When I got the kit, I noticed the blue filter
packs were out of stock. I'll probably order a supply of those to hold
me over.

I read where tetras might want cooler water-74-76 or so, where as I
believe the bettas can have a little warmer water, perhaps not so much
an issue in the summer. I think the tank will be fine in the summer,
the ac is opposite the wall of the tank, I can turn vents toward or
away as needed. I am leaning toward a betta, just need to get the tank
water right and take the plunge.

Thanks Gill, your comments opened my eyes a bit more, the bettas are
cute, they are playful, I just would want to keep it healthy. If you
have any more advice, especially about your water changing routine I'd
love to hear about it, I'm sure that would be helpful to a few of us
newbe's out here.

Best regards,

ko57
in s.e. Louisiana, where the weather seems to change every 5 minutes

John,

Thanks for that tip, I'll probably try the one male betta and see how
he does. I thought I read that guppies and swordtails were a bit
warmer water fish.

Kerry

ko57 wrote:
Thanks for your input, Gill-

I'm waiting to introduce any fish, keeping an eye on the heater-plugged
in and unplugged, how it relates to our fluctuating temperatures day &
night. So far, inside today, no house heaters-it's moderate at 74
degrees, the tank heater's not plugged in and hood light off the water
was 74 also. About half an hour ago I plugged it in, barely nudging
the lever, it hadn't come on and if so not right away, so at least it
does have an off or close to that setting. About 74.5 degrees now,
nudged the lever a bit more. If I put it to the arrow that it suggests
my tank the first night got up to 84d, so I unplugged it.

I realize the water especially in the smaller tanks might need more
careful maintenance. Gill, can you give me an idea of how much and how
frequent your water changes are? I'm wondering if you do something
like 20% once a week for say 3 weeks then at the fourth week maybe a
larger percentage? Any tips on this would be appreciated also. I got
my equipment at WalMart; I've seen testing strips that include the
ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ph and perhaps a couple of other things on
one strip that I can order off the web if Wal doesn't have that. I
wanted to get those little strip thermometers that go on the outside
glass-about $1.49-for a quick look, and noticed they have the gravel
vacs, so will probably stop in this evening.

I notice that gravel dust looks like it's on the surface of the water
like a "pool", maybe slime?? Doesn't cover the top totally but it's
floating-I'd definitely say from the gravel. I'll check the filter
inlet tube, I don't think it would be clogged but... Do you think the
vacuum would clear that and the dust that settled on the rocks? If not
I guess I'll take everything out & do a final rinse with anti-chlor
added to my rinse water. When I got the kit, I noticed the blue filter
packs were out of stock. I'll probably order a supply of those to hold
me over.

I read where tetras might want cooler water-74-76 or so, where as I
believe the bettas can have a little warmer water, perhaps not so much
an issue in the summer. I think the tank will be fine in the summer,
the ac is opposite the wall of the tank, I can turn vents toward or
away as needed. I am leaning toward a betta, just need to get the tank
water right and take the plunge.

Thanks Gill, your comments opened my eyes a bit more, the bettas are
cute, they are playful, I just would want to keep it healthy. If you
have any more advice, especially about your water changing routine I'd
love to hear about it, I'm sure that would be helpful to a few of us
newbe's out here.

Best regards,

ko57
in s.e. Louisiana, where the weather seems to change every 5 minutes


Basically I have a weekly maintenance routine on all the tanks....the
betta tanks get around a 15-20% change once a week. The water is treated
for chlorine/chloramine and heavy metals....this is no different to the
way I treat all of my tanks unless there is a specific problem. A 15-20%
change on a small tank though is a lot quicker to do than on one of the
47.5UK gall tanks :-)

On the dust problem, I would say almost certainly it is coming out of
the gravel. As you have no fish as yet it might be worth taking it out
and doing a few more rinses....I'm a little bit fanatical on rinsing my
gravel before putting it into a new tank mainly as I see a little bit
more effort at the start gives better results....I do know others that
are not so fanatical that still get very good results as the dust
settles....very much how you feel about it and how important it is...

The temp control in these small tanks is forever worrying me but then I
look at the fish and see that they are happy and content and wonder if I
worry too much. In the summer when it gets really warm I vent the tanks
by leaving part of the hood open - you get a bit more evaporation but I
compensate by doing an extra water change if nec (I don't top up as this
just concentrates minerals etc....).

In terms of heating, I just checked my two betta tanks that are in the
same room within a couple of feet of eachother...the heater was on
briefly in Boris's tank next to the back door but off in Bob's tank
which is further into the room. In the summer, unless we get a chill
evening, I don't expect either heater to come on...they are just there
to stop any wild temp fluctuations especially as the house cools
considerably at night at this time of year when the heating goes off at
night - this is more to keep a constant minimum rather than heat the
water up to a max. The best bet is to set the thermostat to the optimum
temperature required by the fish that you chose and just watch for any
over heating and address as necessary. That way you ensure that they do
not get chilled....

Gill

In UK where the temp has suddenly dipped from 15C to around 2C max in a
few days...sneezing like anything - got my winter cold :-(

Thanks, Gill,

That sounds good to me. I guess while I'm on my 2nd day off I'll
re-rinse and cover the gravel and ornaments in a pan with anti-chlor
water before replacing. I'm glad to take the time before introducing
fish to find out all that goes into this fish and tank keeping. I'll
keep you guys posted...thanks for all the tips...

Kerry

ko57 wrote:
Hello,

I've been reading through some of the postings at this group and at
afew aquarium sites and just joined, any advice even though my new tank
is small would be appreciated. Perhaps later on I'll get a larger
tank...

After having had an aquarium many years ago when we were kids, I bought
a small 5 gallon Aquatech Hex with the bio wheel and the blue/white
carbon filter. I also got the 5-15gal heater since it is adjustable
and since we don't have central air/heating, it can get pretty cool in
our house during winter. I also have a small thermometer attached
inside and will get the small strip thermometer for the outside.
I set up the tank Sunday evening, with a little less than the 5# bag of
gravel, a few smooth stones, a plaster driftwood ornament (where fish
can hide or swim through underneath), 1 small round coral
ornament-about 2 3/4" in diameter, and bought two lilly bulbs in a
pack, will see how these grow, supposedly in about 20 days. I did
initially put 2 5# bags of gravel but read about how much harder it
will be to maintain and clean too much gravel-so took out a little more
than half, the bottom is covered well.
After reading on the web in this group and at other sites about the 1"
(full grown)/ gallon rule, I see how limited my options are. I didn't
want to start out with a large tank but perhaps I should have bit the
bullet and at least got a 20 or 29 gallon tank.
I'm leaning toward a male betta and maybe one of the small albino
catfish later on to help keep the tank kind of clean. I'll get the
vacuum gravel cleaner, will get the test strips that also check for
ammonia before I put any fish in. I've had a couple of male bettas
before, they are sweet-had them in bowls (medium sized, about half a
gallon), realize they do need better living conditions-I know the cool
house in the winter did them in, and they need more than betta flake
food-brine shrimp, blood worms for their diet.
If I get the small catfish, did I read right in that they eat algae
tablets and brine shrimp for their diet? Do they have to have the
algae tabs every day since don't they eat the stuff at the bottom of
the tank?
One more question-when I removed the excess gravel from the tank, I
noticed a small amount of fine dust from the gravel on some of the
larger stones, the driftwood ornament and coral, and a little on the
outer lower tube of the pumps intake, Would the gravel vacuum remove
this or will I have to take everything out again and re-rinse
everything?
I realize this is a small tank, not the larger tanks that most people
have but any advice would be appreciated, small tank owners chime in
also, please- thanks and
regards,

ko57

Ko57...
Welcome back to the hobby. = )
You wrote:

After reading on the web in this group and at other sites about the
1"
(full grown)/ gallon rule, I see how limited my options are..

This isn't really valid in the hobby anymore. Hasn't been for many,
many years.
The length of a fish is not the only thing that needs to be considered
when choosing or housing fish.
If that rule were correct, you could keep a 10" Oscar in a 10g tank.
You couldn't keep a 10" Oscar in a 20g tank.
Things like territorial issues, body mass, waste production (some fish
put out tons more than others...ei Goldfish, African Dwarf Frogs, etc),
etc all need to be considered.
So forget that old myth. It's pretty useless.

"ko57" wrote in message
ups.com...
John,

Thanks for that tip, I'll probably try the one male betta and see how
he does. I thought I read that guppies and swordtails were a bit
warmer water fish.
===================
Swordtails can reach a nice size. Even the females can reach 3+ inches. I
wouldn't keep them in anything smaller than a 20L.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

I have to agree with Koi-Lo about Swords.
They get pretty large, and that's not even including the "sword" at the
end of the tail which ends up being about as long as their body is.
A 5g just isn't going to be able to house Swords....especially a Hex.
Just by having that shape of a tank limits your choices even more.

Tynk wrote:
I have to agree with Koi-Lo about Swords.
They get pretty large, and that's not even including the "sword" at the
end of the tail which ends up being about as long as their body is.
A 5g just isn't going to be able to house Swords....especially a Hex.
Just by having that shape of a tank limits your choices even more.


I hate the difference in measurements between the UK and US ( :-) )

Just checked the box of one of my 20L tanks - 20L = 5.3 US
galls....although looking at the tanks I still think they would be too
small for swords...

Sorry to be pedantic on the size maybe it should have read "bigger than
20L" :-)

Gill