1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

Need Help Setting Up A 2.5 Tank Newbee!!

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Need Help Setting Up A 2.5 Tank Newbee!!
    Hello everyone!
    Tomorrow morning i have a shipment that has my 2.5 Mini Bow Tank for my 1 male Betta fish. I'm so excited about this tank, i have the rocks that im putting in and some decoration for Star to hide in.

    My questions is what do i have to do to set the tank up? How long before i can add my Betta to the new tank from his bowl??

    Is there anything special i need to do?? I have never set a tank up so i really have no idea what i am doing. :roll:

    Any advice greatly appreciated!!

    Thank You All!!
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Do you have any type of rocks in his bowl now ?

    With bettas you really don't have to cycle a tank for them, it would be better for the fish but not necessary.

    You'll just need a small filter for the tank and some water treatment to remove any chemicals from the water.
     
    Anthony, Oct 6, 2008
    #2
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Yes he has always had rocks in his bowls. I bought new ones for his new tank also.

    Thank you for the information. I was thinking about not using a filter at all actually because the tank is so small and from what i hear Betta's don't like a lot of current. Either that or like you said buy a smaller one. ;)


    Any and all advice on setting a small tank up would be awesome!!
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #3
  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    If you can, put his old rocks in the tank as well and mix them in. They should have beneficial bacteria colonized on them.

    You're right, they don't like much current at all. You could probably get away with using one of the little nano filters if you wanted.
     
    Anthony, Oct 6, 2008
    #4
  5. noshow discus

    noshow discus New Member

    Messages:
    302
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ack first and foremost WASH everything that is new ....tank, rocks, and such.
    second set it up as you want it old new rock etc.
    third add water and decloranate <try to match the temp of his current space with the water in the new>
    fourth add Star and watch him/her get use to the condo.
     
    noshow discus, Oct 6, 2008
    #5
  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    If I were you I would add these to your checklist:

    -->Small bottle of Seachem Prime http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753920

    -->Heater mini 7.5 watt heater IF you can't keep the water at about 74F naturally (75-78F being ideal)

    -->Digital Thermometer (to monitor tanks temp)

    -->Low Flow Filter such as a Tetra Whisperer for a 3gal. http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...ferralID=68f2c720-9409-11dd-8132-000423c27407 (if the filter you choose has carbon, be sure to change it about every 3 weeks)

    -->Tiny Siphon or vacuum (homemade or store bought) http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755281

    -->A live plant -such as a stalk of bamboo or banana plant (not necessary--Optional)..if you go with a stalk of bamboo you can stick in a tiny terra cotta planter with some gravel, Eco-Complete planted, Laterite, or Flourite>>I grab the terra cotta pots at Wal-mart for less than 50cents

    -->Substrate is also optional..myself in a 2.5 I think I personally would avoid it. You can always tape a piece of background to the bottom to give it the appearance of being covered.

    -->Place to hide (not necessary--Optional) ...sounds like you may already have something like this>http://www.petco.com/product/5953/PETCO-Wave-Rock.aspx

    -->Background (optional)

    ~Good Luck with your tank!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 6, 2008
    #6
  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Thank you all for all the great information! Is there a certain time or way i should put him into his new tank?
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #7
  8. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    If you dont add a filter I would at least add an airstone.
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #8
  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    I'd use a dixie cup myself, that or a brine shrimp net...I know most of the male bettas have the long finnage which can get caught in most nets.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 6, 2008
    #9
  10. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Good call, I can't believe I missed that.
    Airpump, check valve, airline tubing and the smallest airstone you can find..always a definite +
    Those suction cup thingeys that hold the airline tubing in place are always great (I love them).
    Thanks Mr. Nelson for that catch! :oops:
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 6, 2008
    #10
  11. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Or you could just pour all .25 gallons of water from the old bowl into the new bowl along with the fish.
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #11
  12. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Thats what my elementary school class called me when I was pursuing a degree in elem edu!
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #12
  13. Leslie

    Leslie New Member

    Messages:
    1,236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    DONT USE SOAP TO CLEAN THE STUFF YOU PUT IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    Leslie, Oct 6, 2008
    #13
  14. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Awe, I betcha that made you feel special ;)
    I used to call my elem. teacher "hey teach"..Lol
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 6, 2008
    #14
  15. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    What is the best to use? Will just washing everything off the new tank be good enough??
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #15
  16. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    hot water is what i always use, always
     
    Anonymous, Oct 6, 2008
    #16
  17. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    5:1 solution
    5 parts water to 1 part water
    5cups water to 1 cup PLAIN (not scented) Clorox Bleach
    soak in the solution for 5-10minutes
    rinse
    soak in plain water for 5-10minutes
    rinse
    Allow to airdry (usually about a hour) to be on the extra safe side.
    DO NOT use on substrate, or to try and regenerate media (unless its purigen).
    Will remove all nasty algae that covers decor and filters lift tubes and what not.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 6, 2008
    #17