2 important questions

[MonsterReef]

So if I add the additives , and then put the beta in , will it be okay? And is it okay to use tap water ?

yes it should be okay if you use tap water though make sure you get to condition it and get the chlorine out I would also put a stress coat additive in there to help the beta make it through even though they are hardy you don't want too stress him too much when water turned cloudy do not add nothing to it to clear it up it will clear up on its own

 

[michellejy]

Yes that's the one I like . The heater isn't included I don't think? What tempature does the betta live in ? Petco actually has it cheaper , and then petsmart has it even cheaper then them , and petco price matches petsmart .

No, the heater isn't included. I have 25 watt Cobalt Neotherm in the back chamber. It fits perfectly and keeps the temperature constant. I had tried a different/cheaper option (since there aren't many for that size where you can set a certain temperature), and it was completely useless.

I have a few plants at the back of the tank along with a couple of marimos (moss balls). Bettas are really cool little fish. It took me a while to get used to him being totally still though. I kept thinking he was dead!

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Same reason people buy a salt tank set it up and throw clowns in the next day... They don't know better. Freshwater fish are cheaper and there are some species that due to natural times of drought ect have some tolerance to ammonia. This means more times then not these fish survive a cycle unlike marine fish. Betta thrive in clean water but are very adaptable and hardy fish. They are often kept in uncycled/unfiltered bowls that are just completely emptied and cleaned every two days or so. Just because they can survive in these conditions does it mean it is what they should be kept in? Probably not.

Cruel

 

[michellejy]

How long did u have to do that for ? A week? I know that if u use those products I mentioned u don't have to do daily water changes .

I think I did it for a couple of weeks, but I didn't add anything to quick start the cycle.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

yes it should be okay if you use tap water though make sure you get to condition it and get the chlorine out I would also put a stress coat additive in there to help the beta make it through even though they are hardy you don't want too stress him too much when water turned cloudy do not add nothing to it to clear it up it will clear up on its own

So when doing a water change on small tank like that , I can use tap water , make sure it's conditioned , and then let it sit at room tempature for a day ahead probably?

 

[MonsterReef]

So when doing a water change on small tank like that , I can use tap water , make sure it's conditioned , and then let it sit at room tempature for a day ahead probably?

Correct

 

[Ryan Rioux]

I think I did it for a couple of weeks, but I didn't add anything to quick start the cycle.

I am going to add something , I've had good luck with the other stuff , to the point where I have 3 or 4 bottles stocked in my fridge

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Correct

Much easier then salt . I have water that's been warming for a day in a brute barrel for my salt tank

 

[Ryan Rioux]

No, the heater isn't included. I have 25 watt Cobalt Neotherm in the back chamber. It fits perfectly and keeps the temperature constant. I had tried a different/cheaper option (since there aren't many for that size where you can set a certain temperature), and it was completely useless.

I have a few plants at the back of the tank along with a couple of marimos (moss balls). Bettas are really cool little fish. It took me a while to get used to him being totally still though. I kept thinking he was dead!

Is the light that's included strong enough to keep small plants alive ? And everything but the heater is included ?

 

[michellejy]

So when doing a water change on small tank like that , I can use tap water , make sure it's conditioned , and then let it sit at room tempature for a day ahead probably?

Yep. I use RO/DI, but only because I have it on hand. The guy at the fish store actually recommends conditioned tap water over RO/DI for planted freshwater tanks, but I am paranoid about chemicals that might not be eliminated.

 

[Naiad]

It is fine to use tap to start it up you are doing a great thing for the little guy. I have found that betta fish seem to do better with spring water. Not ro or distilled but actual spring water. It must be the mineral content. Of course that could be because the tap water around where I live is horrible.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Yep. I use RO/DI, but only because I have it on hand. The guy at the fish store actually recommends conditioned tap water over RO/DI for planted freshwater tanks, but I am paranoid about chemicals that might not be eliminated.

I've also read that RODI is no good because of all the minerals it's stripped of.

 

[michellejy]

Is the light that's included strong enough to keep small plants alive ? And everything but the heater is included ?

Yes, I have plants that I added a month ago that are already stretching out of the top of the water! I was told to keep medium light plants, but I think even ones that require higher light would work. (I didn't have the specs on the lighting when I picked up plants.)

All I needed was a heater, thermometer, and a siphon for water changes. Well, decorations too, of course.

 

[michellejy]

I've also read that RODI is no good because of all the minerals it's stripped of.

I add Seachem Flourish about once every two weeks for the plants. You might be able to skip that if you use water that isn't RO/DI. Although, the plants seem to do fine even when I forget the Flourish. It seems to be awesome for encouraging algae growth though

 

[Ryan Rioux]

It is fine to use tap to start it up you are doing a great thing for the little guy. I have found that betta fish seem to do better with spring water. Not ro or distilled but actual spring water. It must be the mineral content. Of course that could be because the tap water around where I live is horrible.

Like bottled spring water ? The tap water where I live is fairly good , 72-74 ppm on a tds meter . Which isn't bad at all.

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Yes, I have plants that I added a month ago that are already stretching out of the top of the water! I was told to keep medium light plants, but I think even ones that require higher light would work. (I didn't have the specs on the lighting when I picked up plants.)

All I needed was a heater, thermometer, and a siphon for water changes. Well, decorations too, of course.

I really like that tank. Debating on picking it up now on the way home from work! I would need a smalllllll syphon. And heater as well.

 

[Naiad]

Like bottled spring water ? The tap water where I live is fairly good , 72-74 ppm on a tds meter . Which isn't bad at all.

Yea I used bottled spring but you should be fine my tds in the 200s

 

[MonsterReef]

Tap water has certain minerals and additives in it that plants need that's why I was recommended to use tap water instead of Ro di water

 

[michellejy]

I really like that tank. Debating on picking it up now on the way home from work! I would need a smalllllll syphon. And heater as well.

This is the siphon I have. The bulb option makes it so much easier on a small tank. (I use one on my 10 gallon quarantine too.) This was $5 or $6 sold directly through Amazon when I ordered it. There are a bunch on there that are the same, just listed separately.

http://www.amazon.com/TERAPUMP-TRDP...1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

 

[Ryan Rioux]

Tap water has certain minerals and additives in it that plants need that's why I was recommended to use tap water instead of Ro di water

I will be using tap water , do I need a freshwater ammonia badge as well.