betta barracks

hello everyone

I recently setup up a betta tank with 3 equal chambers/cells, 1 for each of the betta's, split with clear 2mm perspex dividers end to end and top to bottom to prevent any wayward betta from jumping over to get to the next inmate in the next cell.

the perspex was routed to give good through cell water circulation, I have only one heater in there at the moment

but now heres the problem.

I setup everything using 3 undergravel filters. 1 for each of the chambers , each being driven from a pump.

did i do this right???

i just read through the long read of the peat moss thread and some one said throw the undergravel filters out "they belong in a museum"

what do i do now. can i leave it like that or do i go and buy a HOB?

tank size is roughly HxWxD 40cm x 45cm x 40cm.

 

Hi mamoo, those UGF aren't good because of the gunk that gets trapped underneath it which you cannot clean easily.
A hob would work perfect for the tank. We've had one on our betta tank (actually thinking of putting it back)
The only problem with a hob is that if the water level is low, it makes a huge splashing noise which can drive you insane and make you wee constantly.

 

For a betta setup a UGF will be ok, just do a gravel clean once a week.
When you setting up a community tank thats when you move away from UGF.
A pic of you setup would be nice.

 

You suggested it...

A lot of people on the forum here will tell you that Undergravel filters are not worth anything, and will not be effective. If all you are going to have is 3 Male betta's... and NOTHING ELSE, including no plants, then you can probably keep them for now... as long as your gravel is not too fine.

But I would recommend you going to a HOB as then you will be sure to get both mechanical and biological filtration going... and they not too expensive either for that size tank.

 

i looked in every nook of my PC and cant seem to find the pix i took of the tank:amazed:....

I will have to take new ones and post it on monday!!!

there are some plants and some mosses which are attached to a piece of driftwood.

the gravel is between 4mm - 6mm in size, fairly chunky.. and charcoal grey...

the only snag about the HOB is the strong current it produces at the outlet!! it's seem s abit too strong for the betta isn't it?????

 

Considering the tank only has 3 fish i think your setup is ok. But pics would help.

 

your tank is something like my 1ft... split into two. i'm planning on investing in a small HOB soon...

 

why did you allow water to flow through all sections if each is individually filtered? It would have been better to isolate each section. Heating might have been an issue but I think 2 would have done the trick. This would prevent any disease spreading.

UGF for this setup is fine, however if you want them to spawn in there it could agitate the surface to much and break the bubbles up.

If the plants are mostly on the wood then there's no impact from the the UGF.

I suggest you add floating plants.

When doing water changes, siphon through the uplight tube so you get the muck out from beneath the UGF.

Please give us the names of those bettas!

 

re: the names so far are Goldie (after the DnB artist)... and that's it did not think about naming the other fish:hmmmm: as we on the topic i'm open to suggestions:bigsmile:


as to the cross flow of the water.. it was there purely to get a good circulation of the warm water. It took me the better part of a day to router those grooves on the perspex sheet.

the only floating plants i have is "Duck Weed" and theres plenty. I end up scooping up netfulls and feeding them to the goldfish...

that siphoning through the uplift tube is a very good idea:idea:

i got a separate hex tank with 1 very territorial adult betta called "red widow" as that is exactly waht she is... she's an absolutely gorgeous velvet red DT.... but she's so agro that she chased the new male i introduced to her into a corner where he just cowered...

so that male is in his own tank for the time being.... pity though as a red velvet DT female and a red velvet CT male would have produced some very good looking offspring....

 

Very nice looking. Where did you buy them from?

 

no man - the variety type specific name.

of course it is

send her to me, my red dragon plakat male will sort her out :bigsmile:

 

OH OKh:

I had a daft moment there, its a normal betta splendens crowntail double ray. nothing fancy...

PM me.. sponsors might get fussy...

 

Mamoo, that is a very nice betta barack you made!
With only 3 fish, there is nothing wrong with ugf for this holding tank.
Use a bare tank for breeding, with a sponge filter etc.
Take note of what some of the members have said -there is a lot of value in!
Ps: where is Solex69, when you need him? I think I shall phone him now!
Gert.

 

Hey Mamoo, I'm looking for good Betta stock in Cape Town. I unfortunately haven't been approved for PM yet. Any suggestions?
Thanx

 

Hey Mamoo, I'm looking for good Betta stock in Cape Town. I unfortunately haven't been approved for PM yet. Any suggestions?
Thanx

 

I got those in the pic from nick hart.

 

Thought those bags will give it away!lol.

 

looking good man......
UGF will do fine...